I'm compiling this list of strategies for staying on track, in case someone needs a quick reference. Over the next few days I'll be adding a lot to the list. The list will include strategies that have worked for myself and people I know, strategies I've read about, and strategies suggested by participants in the introductions thread. If you try any of the methods posted here and you find they do (or don't) work for you, please let us know about it. Also, if you know of any good strategies, please feel free to share them here.

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The Ultimate Accountability Challenge is a tough, but do-able, challenge. To win the challenge, you must be prepared for cravings and for days when you just want to stay in bed and do nothing. To be prepared, you need strategies.

1. Read, read, read.
Specifically, read articles, studies, and non-fiction books about health, nutrition, and dieting. Read for two reasons: 1. To stay informed, and 2. To stay focused on your fitness plan. It's hard to let your diet and exercise regimen fade out of your life when you're reading Michael Pollen and Linda Bacon every night before bed.

2. Work on strengthening your will power in other areas of your life, not just in the area of weight loss.
Will power is just a habit, and anyone can develop a habit. If, in all areas of your life, you get into the overall practice of putting what you ought to do in front of doing what will give you instant gratifcation, it will become easier to stick to your fitness plan.

3. Know that cravings don't last forever.
You're eating a delicious, cheesey quesadilla. Half-way through the quesadilla, you're no longer hungry. You know you should push the quesadilla away, but it's just so yummy! You really, really want to eat the rest, and, really, what could it hurt, just finishing the rest of this one meal?
Stop right there. Throw/put that quesadilla away and go call someone. Call your friend, your sister, your dad. See how their day is going and tell them about yours. By the time you get off the phone, you probably won't even remember the quesadilla.

4. This too shall pass (sugar withdrawals).
If you, like many others, are accustomed to eating way too much sugar, anticipate headaches and general feelings of blahness for about a week after you cut all that excess sugar out of your diet. (Which I hope you will do, as eating 1500 calories worth of candy bars every day, and nothing else, is not good for you.) What you are experiencing is withdrawal. It will go away eventually.

5. And so will this (nothing tasting good).
If you, like many others, are used to eating highly processed foods that are designed to taste utterly AMAZING (but aren't quite so amazing, health-wise), then switching to a low-sugar or low-sodium diet might leave you feeling as though your new diet is somewhat cardboard-based. Don't worry. The longer you go without eating those super-flavorful foods, the more your tastebuds will acclimate to your new diet: your "carboard" food will begin to taste less like cardboard and more like the nutritious, healthy food that it actually is. The foods that you used to eat will taste too sugary, too salty. You just have to wait it out.

6. Don't stop eating when you're full. Stop eating when you're not hungry anymore.
Our brains are slower than our stomachs where fullness is concerned. Stop eating not when you're full, but when you're no longer hungry. This advice is especially important for Ultimate Accountability Challenge participants because you need to make your calories last throughout the day.

7. Drink water before meals and in lieu of snacks.
Drinking water before mealtime will fill your stomach and may help keep you from overeating. Also, try drinking water in lieu of eating snacks: a lot of people think they're hungry when they're really just thirsty.
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8. Don't weigh yourself every day. Weigh yourself weekly, or monthly, or never.
Weigh yourself weekly or monthly, but not daily. Your weight fluctuates from day to day for reasons you have no control over; daily weigh-ins are not a good indicator of your progress. Weigh yourself weekly. Or, if you've hit a plateau, try weighing yourself monthly. Occasionally, you will follow your fitness plan perfectly--and your weight will stay the same or even increase. It happens sometimes. If you find that when this happens to you, you quit trying, consider not weighing yourself at all. Consider tracking your progress by measurements or dress size instead.