2 Painless Ways to Lose Weight

1. Lighten the Foods You Already Love
One of the easiest ways to cut back without feeling denied is to switch to lower-calorie versions of the foods you crave. A pizza tastes just as good with reduced-fat cheese. And when you garnish low-fat crackers or low-fat ice cream with your favorite toppers, who notices the missing calories?

The key is to look for lighter versions of any product that contains fat or sugar, says the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic's "Recipe Doctor" Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, author of Fry Light, Fry Right! She recommends shopping for light sour cream, mayonnaise, and salad dressings; less-sugar preserves; and unsweetened frozen fruit.

And lighten up by switching to diet soda or light beer, or by adding a spritz of seltzer to your wine. Hate low-cal drinks? Try mixing your favorite beverages with a splash of a low-cal option, then increase the ratio as your taste buds adjust.

2. Share and Share Alike
With the massive meals served at so many American restaurants, it's easy to go Dutch -- with the dinner plate.

"When we go out, I often share a meal with my wife," says David Anthony, an information technology consultant from Atlanta. "We've been known to split a dessert, even a pint of beer."

You can share more than just a meal out. Why not double up on a bicycle built for two? Go halves on the cost of a personal trainer? Maybe split a gym membership?

"When people come in together they're more apt to encourage one another," says Lorinda Naegle, manager of a Curves gym in Oregon, which, like many fitness centers, offers 2-for-1 membership specials.

Half the cost, twice the motivation -- a steal of a deal.