Consumer Reports asks subscribers about losing weight and staying on target

CLEVELAND - Starting a diet is relatively easy. The hard part is sticking to it. Consumer Reports just polled more than 3,000 of its subscribers on losing weight to see just what they did to stay on target.

The survey found many people are using online tools to track their diet, including Weight Watchers Online and free sites like MyFitnessPal and SparkPeople.

Respondents also relied on tried-and- true strategies to meet their weight-loss goals, like eating more fruits and veggies, portion control, drinking more water and cutting back on sugar.

In addition, many people used positive thinking to keep themselves on track. Consumer Reports' survey found that thinking about how much progress you’ve made so far was one of the better techniques for sticking with your diet. And of course exercise helps, too.

Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers Online were the most popular commercial diet plans in Consumer Reports' poll, but you don’t necessarily need a plan because 69 percent of those surveyed followed their own diet and exercise regimen.