>How to Keep a Thin Body for LifeFor many dieters, losing weight is only half the battle. Many people can lose weight in a hurry with a reduced calorie diet and exercise, but struggle when it comes to maintaining the lost weight. A large percentage of dieters gain back the weight they have lost, often with an extra few pounds as well. If you are concerned not just with losing weight but also with weight maintenance for the rest of your life, it is important not to think of your eating as a diet but as a way of life. By adopting certain eating habits you can begin losing weight in a slow and healthy way to get you your goal body for life.The 80/20 PrincipleMany dieters force themselves to stick to an very low calorie diet for weeks at a time in order to see rapid weight loss. The problem is that denying yourself delicious foods can be a punishment, and one that only causes frustration and eventual binge eating down the road. Try not to stick to a strict pattern of eating every single day, which is not practical in the long term. Instead, try to think of eating healthy along the lines of the 80/20 principle, which means that eighty percent of your intake should be whole, healthy foods, with twenty percent being special meals and snacks you enjoy.Daily ExerciseIf you were to ask those people who have lost weight and kept it off for years what their secret is, they might tell you daily exercise. Some dieters head to the gym for two hours each day in a frantic attempt to burn calories, but the don't enjoy the activities they are doing. A much smarter choice is to find a few activities that you truly enjoy that don't seem like work to you. Successful dieters are often those who have found a sport that is fun, not a punishment. Try a new dance class, go hiking with friends or buy an indoor stationary bike to use in front of the television each evening. Just find something that burns calories and can fit into your daily routine.