As many as 300,000 American adults die each year from causes related to being overweight. Excessive weight is the main factor contributing to coronary heart disease, the number-one killer of men and women in the United States.

And those who are overweight also have an increased risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and some types of cancer, as well as osteoarthritis and interrupted breathing pattern during sleep called sleep apnea.

For the 61 percent of American adults who are overweight, smart eating, along with habitual workouts, are the foremost formula for successful weight losers.

But there's one more key to success. "The best and safest weight loss is one to two pounds per week, regardless of whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 20 pounds," says Stephen Sinatra, M.D., a cardiologist.

Some people will need additional support from:

Groups such as Weight Watchers or an informal team of dieting buddies;
Medications or dietary supplements to curb hunger or obstruct fat absorption; or
Yoga, massage or other stress-relief regimen.
While looking good in the short term might be a powerful motivator for many people preparing for a wedding or high-school reunion, getting healthy, not just looking hot, is the best priority for controlling your weight for life, authorities agree. Says Arthur Frank, M.D., director of the George Washington University's Weight Management Program in Washington, D.C., "Being overweight is not merely a cosmetic problem. It has a dreadful effect upon your health and upon your comfort."

With smarts and support, you can shed pounds safely, and yes, keep them off. You may have heard the commonly cited statistic that 95 percent of those who lose weight regain it soon after.

"With all the gloom and doom, the reality is that people can lose weight," says Frank. "It's difficult, but people can maintain their weight, too."