First off, it's pretty damn fun. But it can also keep you on the slim track. Having an orgasm releases the same endorphins in your brain that eating chocolate does--without the calories. And research shows that the more weight you lose, the better your sex life
gets: A Duke University study found that even a 10 percent reduction in
weight (that's 15 pounds if you weigh 150) resulted in major
improvements in all areas of the participants' sex lives, including
arousal, feelings of attractiveness, and enjoyment of sexual activity 
Weight loss is serious business. Treat it that way. Weigh yourself every morning--a study in the Annals of Behavior Medicine
shows that people who do daily weigh-ins are more successful
losers--and write the number down. If you're even vaguely computer
savvy, it's a snap to create a chart with a fever line that shows the
pounds dropping away over time. When you get discouraged--say, you
haven't lost a pound in a week--seeing your long-term progress will
boost your motivation.
When you feel fat you probably shun mirrors. Turns out you should do the opposite. A study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders
found that mirror-exposure therapy--staring at your bod in the mirror
and stifling the usual criticisms of your thighs--can improve body
image, which, as we said in rule 10, can help keep you committed to
healthy eating. Try it: Speak to your reflection without using any
negatively charged words. For example, instead of "I have a huge butt,"
say, "My waist looks smaller thanks to my curves." 
A new study from Ohio State University shows
that women who accept their bodies are more likely to have better eating
habits. And decadent as it may sound, getting a massage can help with
that. "Allowing themselves to be touched by another person--even when
they aren't at their ideal weight--can help women become more
comfortable with their bodies," says Mitch Klein, a licensed massage
therapist in New York City.
Join a group exercise class and make friends
with your fellow regulars. Seeing your pals will inspire you to attend
even when you feel like playing hooky. The guilt factor--always highly
motivating--can help here too. After all, in a place where everybody
knows your name, they'll also know when you've missed a workout.
You don't blow off the dentist, even though
having your teeth drilled is about the most un-fun thing you can
imagine. Why? Because you'll get charged whether you show or not.
Consider buying a package of personal training
sessions and scheduling all your appointments now. Ditto with yoga or
dance classes: Buy a bunch in advance and sign up at the same time. Who
would throw away workouts that are already paid for? 
Reams of studies prove that support from other
people can keep you motivated to lose weight. And a new study from the
University of Kansas shows that dieters who get counseling over the
phone lose just as much as those who get it face to face. So if you
can't make that 5 p.m. Weight Watchers meeting, check out Bally's Built
to Fit weight-loss and nutrition program at ballynutrition.com, which
offers weekly 15--minute phone sessions starting at $1 per minute. 
A great way to keep yourself from sliding into what-the-hell eating mode when your weight loss plateaus: Use dumbbells
that correspond to the number of pounds you've already dropped. You
can't possibly forget how far you've come when you're straining to
complete three sets of triceps kickbacks with a 10-pound weight. Feel
how much you're struggling to lift? That used to be on your butt! 
You know that yogurt commercial where a woman
takes a teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikini and hangs it on her wall to
help motivate her to lose weight? She's one smart cookie. "I tell
clients to take out an outfit they love and haven't been able to wear
for a long time," says Christopher Warden, C.S.C.S., a personal trainer
in New York City. "Just pulling it out of the closet serves as a visual
reminder of the goal they're trying to accomplish." 
A recent study by the North American Association for the Study of Obesity found that women are more likely to stick to an exercise program if they listen to music
while working out. So thank God for jogtunes.com. The site lets you
select your workout pace, then download playlists of songs with bpm's
(beats per minute) that match your heart rate. For example, if yours
gets up to about 150 bpm when you exercise, songs like the Killers' "Mr.
Brightside" are perfect.
Consider adopting a fuzzy friend if you don't
have one already. Studies show that owning a dog can help you drop
pounds. Why? Come rain, sleet, or snow, you've got to get your butt
outside with pooch a few times a day (unless you really want
urine-soaked carpets). What's more, most pet owners say they don't want
to let down their exercise-starved doggy at walk time. It's another
version of rule number 2. 
It's really hard to blow off a commitment you've made to lots of people. If you join an athletic event to raise money
and you default on your training, you're not just letting yourself down
but also the charity and everyone who sponsored you. Go to
stepbystep-fundraising.com and click on "Athletic Events" to find one
near you. (Triathlon, anyone?) Some groups (below) even provide free
coaching. 
There's no motivation like saving money. And since insurance providers
want you to stay healthy so you don't develop expensive diseases like
diabetes, some offer perks that make getting fit easier. Highmark Blue
Cross Blue Shield, for example, gives its members discounts to certain
gyms and free consultations with a dietitian. Check with your provider.
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