Weight loss that lasts: how can you keep "rebound pounds" at bay after you stop counting calories? Here are six sure-fire strategies for long-term success

Shape, March, 2003 by Jenna Schnuer

Meanwhile, whisk together mayonnaise and chipotle chilies. Place burgers on rolls. Top with mayonnaise mixture, then with lettuce and tomato slices.

Nutrition Score per serving (1 burger): 257 calories, 23% fat (7 g; 1 g saturated), 42% carbs (27 g), 35% protein (22 g), 4 g fiber, 34 mg calcium, 15 mg iron, 401 mg sodium.

What to do when the scale won't budge

Around the six-month mark, even the most diligent calorie counters plateau, according to Cathy Nonas, R.D., author of Outwit Your Weight: Fat-Proof Your Life With More Than 200 Tips, Tools & Techniques to Help You Defeat Your Danger, Zones (Rodale Press, 2002).

"Is it physiological? Is it mental? It's probably a little bit of everything," Nonas says. "You feel good about yourself, you've lost weight, so maybe you get a little casual or careless, even though you're not doing anything crazy like eating a box of cookies. The other possibility is that your body may need to slow down and adapt to the changes in weight," she adds.

* First, figure out if you've hit a true plateau. "I've known people who thought they were plateauing when they were just losing half a pound a week," Nonas says. "When somebody plateaus, they can continue to lose fat even though they don't lose weight. One good reality check is to ask yourself if your clothes feel looser."

* If you're really doing everything you can to lose weight and you're still not making any progress, "pat yourself on the back for having lost [weight] and kept it-off," and then make some subtle changes, Nonas says." Just make sure you're clear about the changes so you can track your progress," she adds. Try eating a healthier lunch a few times a week or give a new class at the gym a try. "It may take a wile but, eventually, you'll move ahead again," Nonas says.

* If you're already eating healthfully and exercising sufficiently, recognize that you may have achieved a health weight that's ideal for you. Celebrate the progress you've made and appreciate what your health body can do. At the point where you are already eating healthfully and exercising regularly, it's foolish to continue focusing on what you weight. Instead, be vigilant and nurture yourself with healthy habits.

Jenna Schnuer is a freelance writer based in New York Gity. Robin Vitetta-Miller, M.S, is a Shape contributing editor based in Yardley, Pa.

"What works best for me in achieving a fit life is flexibility," reveals Jenna Schnuer, who authored "Weight Loss That Lasts," page 152. "If a workout's not working, it's time to try something new. I also eat a variety of foods to keep things fresh" she says. Schnuer's venturesomeness is whetting her appetite for adventure travel, which she hopes will take her fitness to "new levels." We're expecting a postcard from Schnuer during her initial outing -- probably a kayaking adventure in Maine. The New York City-based freelancer also has written for Advertising Age and oxygen.com.