Listen, it isn’t an easy task to lose weight, especially as the years begin to fly by. For many, losing extra pounds becomes a bit more difficult than in years past. Yet, I believe that by adopting the mindset and strategies of a weight-loss warrior, you can really do it this time — and do it right, so that it sticks.

Here are Seven Ways of the Weight-loss Warrior  for a Summer Bikini Bod:

Inch by Inch. Buy a tape measure, the kind you find in the sewing department. Measure your chest, upper arms, waist, upper hips (measure where your hip bones begin), buttocks, upper thighs and calves. Write it all down. This is your starting point. Measure again the same time of day in about three weeks.

Forget About It. Stop weighing yourself more than once a week. If you can stand it, wait three weeks. It’s more rewarding this way to measure your progress. Forget the scale for awhile and focus on the tasks that will make a difference.

Focus Upon the End Result. Close your eyes, and envision yourself in your favorite pair of shorts or that new slinky dress. Do you see yourself looking confident, smiling, and looking oh-so-good? Work on this mini-meditation. Throw on some music and see yourself at your goal weight. Lock it in. You might try finding a hypnotherapist or another pro who uses visualization to help you overcome your subconscious roadblocks.

Be Accountable to Another. Accountability works better than trying to go it alone. Connect with a real live human being you see on a regular basis and report your ups and downs. Choose a friend with similar weight-loss goals, a personal trainer, a wellness coach or a nutritionist. Keep a food and fitness journal and review with each other at least once a week. And be honest about what you report.

Do It Right with The Right Diet. Here’s the Laura Diet. Stop consuming junk and synthetic foods. Stop eating wheat products except for sprouted wheat. Stop drinking alcohol. Eat three times per day. Drink plenty of pure mineral-rich spring water like Crazy water. Eat lean protein at each meal with plenty of dark green leafy veggies. Have one to two servings of legumes daily.Throw in a few tablespoons of olive oil each day. And take your Omega-3 supplements. Eat one serving of berries, apples or melon in between meals.

Sleep It Off. Research shows that people who get adequate sleep are leaner than those who are sleep deprived. Seven to eight hours is optimal.

Where For Art Thou Cardio? First thing in the morning, jump on the treadmill or eliptical and go for at least 20 to 30 minutes with interval training. Then, after you eat dinner, no later than 6 p.m., do it again. With this two-a-day strategy, it will ramp up your metabolic rate big time!

In order to finally do it right this time around, you must commit yourself to the process. Interested in finding out more how YOU can get a jumpstart to Summer? Connect with me and I will be in touch with you regarding  various coaching options to get you on your way to feeling your very best this summer!

Original article written by Laura Lewis for AOL’s ThatsFit.com.