Summarize this article in one sentence.
Start off by weighing yourself so you can track your progress. How many pounds do you want to lose? Keep in mind that an average person in middle, high school loses 2 pounds per week maximum. Once you've figured out your target weight and how many pounds you'd like to lose, figure out how long you have to lose the pounds, and start thinking about specific goals. Your goals need to be (1) specific; (2) attainable (doable); and (3) forgiving (less than perfect). In other words, "lose weight" is not a good goal because it's not specific. "lose 30 lbs in 10 days" is not a good goal because it's not attainable. "Exercise for 3 hours every day" is not a good goal because it's not forgiving. You want your goals to be something like, "Exercise 5 days a week, with the goal of losing 2 lbs a week." That leaves a little wiggle room to keep you on track. . The fact of the matter is that going low-calorie is not effective for everyone. That and it's hard. Do it for a week and you may end up breaking down, binging on everything in sight. Would low-carb be easier? How about just cutting out desserts? Picking up a vegetarian diet? Science is starting to suggest that eating right and exercise isn't everything. It's also about how your body is made up. Put two people on the same diet and they're going to have different results. So don't stress about trying to fit someone else's box of what a diet really is concentrate on what you think will work for you. Once you figure out what you need to lose, the second step is to figure out how to lose it. Will you be focused on your diet? What kind of diet? And what about exercise? Create a basic plan detailing your exercise schedule and your diet regimen. An example of an exercise schedule could be "Monday: 30 min. cardio, 10 min. stretching/yoga, 20 min. strength/toning exercises; Tuesday: 20 min. light cardio and walking; Wednesday: rest; Thursday: 20 min. light cardio and walking, 20 min. strength training; Friday: 20 min stretching/yoga, 30 min. cardio. And don't forget that activities like swimming and dancing count, too. Everything is easier with a friend. Not only do they keep your spirits up, but they hold you accountable. When your friend is sitting there, eating a salad and some fruit and about to go for a walk, you'll be less likely to chow down on half a pizza and then take a nap. What's more, you'll have someone to bond with over the woes of weight loss. Practically everyone is "dieting" in some form or another nowadays. Just ask your friends who'd like to lose a few pounds with you and watch their arms shoot up. You are not alone in your battle, that's for sure. Technology is great for tracking your weight loss; you can use an app on your phone or other mobile device like "MyNetDiary" to keep you going. When you see how far you've come, you'll be motivated to keep going. Try to weigh yourself once or twice a week, but not obsessively. You will aggravate yourself too much and risk giving up in frustration.

Summary:
Figure out your starting weight to determine your goals. Choose the right diet for you Set up a plan. Get a buddy. Get a way to keep track of your progress.