For a person with diabetes, the benefits of just a 5 percent weight loss may include:

• Improved blood sugar
• Improved use of insulin
• Reduced need for diabetes medications
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced risk of heart disease and other long-term problems
• Improved appearance, energy level, and self-esteem

It's important to approach weight loss in a way that makes your goal achievable, maintainable, and in tune with your diabetes plan.

Step one: Set a weight loss goal within your reach.
Losing weight slowly — 1/2 to 2 pounds per week — is the healthiest and best way to lose pounds and keep them off. Start with a goal of losing 5 percent of your current weight.

Step two: Form a balanced plan.
While the total number of calories in your daily diet is important, losing weight is really about changing your lifestyle rather than dieting. With a diet, most people lose weight only to gain it back when they resume their previous lifestyle.

Here's one shift you can try right away. Adjust your daily meal plan to include six smaller meal and snack occasions for fewer total calories throughout the day. You'll be reducing calories in a way that helps minimize food cravings.

Similarly, instead of reducing your calories drastically, cut out a moderate amount of calories and couple that change with 30 minutes of daily activity. If you cut calories drastically, you may be eager for your diet to be over. However, when you combine both, you'll have an approach you can stick with for the long-term.

Any time you change your meal plan, expect to monitor your blood sugar more frequently. Decreasing calorie level and increasing activity level both lower your blood sugar. As you lose weight and your body becomes more fit, it also becomes more sensitive to insulin. Only monitoring can help you see where your blood sugar levels are before and after exercise. Always follow your health care provider's advice on suggested times for you to check your blood sugar.

Keep in mind these steps for success:

1. Set a goal.
2. Form a balanced plan that includes calorie control with exercise.
3. Track weight, blood glucose, and food intake.

The Control Plan for Weight Loss on Diabetes Control for Life™ applies all of these steps for success into one comprehensive program for people with diabetes who want to lose weight.