Think back to important life changes that you've made. Perhaps you've gotten married, chan

In fact, one study found that people who had the support of friends were less likely to drop out of a weight-control program and more likely to maintain their weight loss over a six-month period than were people without such support. Some people fare better with professional support, such as from a

Getting support for your efforts - whether through a friend, a trained professional or a group of fellow travelers on the path to a healthy weight - can ultimately mean the difference between your success and failure. Support can be emotional - a shoulder to lean on when you're discouraged. And it can be practical - someone to watch the kids while you exercise. It can provide the encouragement you need to get out and exercise on days when your favorite TV show seems like a better option.