Caution: Shirking strength training

You know that regular exercise goes hand in hand with trimming calories when you're trying to lose weight, but if you skip strength training in favor of cardio, you're overlooking one of the best friends a dieter can have. Strength training builds muscle mass, which helps you burn calories at a faster rate all day long, and it can give you a leaner, more toned look.

The fix: Schedule it in. Two or three times a week, cut your aerobic workout in half and do a strength-training circuit―one set (8 to 12 reps) of five to 10 exercises for key muscle groups in the arms, legs, shoulders, back and abdomen. Taking this approach will help you begin building your body's lean muscle mass within weeks, which will boost your weight-control efforts. Not sure how to get started? Find an instructional DVD at collagevideo.com.

NextCaution: Refueling excessively