A lot of us are always seeking weight loss tips among our peers, on the net or through other information channels and are ready to follow the silliest of fads or the craziest of diets in the garb of weight loss tips ; How about us making things a bit easier for you by giving you a detailed list of weight loss tips which are effective, easily applicable and as scientific as it can get?

Here are some of the most popular, tried and tested weight loss tips, which can help you stay on track:

* Bring your meal plan with you wherever you go until you know it by heart. If you've taken some time to pre-plan, carry your written menu with you to serve as a reminder. You should also have your food record handy so you can keep track of what you actually eat.

* Try to stick to regular meal times the best you can. Meals and snacks spaced well throughout the day help keep blood sugar levels even, keep you from feeling either too hungry or too full, and allow your body to regulate its insulin much better.

* Never skip meals! A pop-open can of tuna or a glass of skim milk is quick and easy if you don't have time to stop and eat. Going without will activate the defense mechanisms and make losing weight a battle.

* Pre-plan as much as possible. It helps you eat a more nutritious diet and makes it easier to say "no" to foods that might otherwise tempt you. Plan your choices wisely so you avoid getting hungry and allow for some of your favorite foods to make your meal plan more enjoyable.

* If you will be busy or on the road, pack some convenient foods that fit into your meal plan. Portable foods that require no refrigeration or preparation are best. * When you do eat, take time to enjoy your food. Avoid eating while you're watching TV or preparing a meal. It is far too easy to overeat when you are distracted or surrounded by food.

* Do your best to control your environment and avoid those situations that cause you to overeat. Stay away from "bad company:" people who ridicule you or try to sabotage your efforts. They are most likely jealous of your progress or don't understand how important it is for you to lose weight and improve your health.

* Cutout a picture of someone whose figure you admire, or a picture of yourself when you were at your ideal weight and keep it with you at all times. Look at it frequently and visualize yourself looking like that. Any time you feel discouraged or your motivation starts to lag, look at the picture and pretend that person is talking to you -ordering you to remember your priorities and stay on track.

* If you slip up, don't punish yourself. A positive attitude will get you further. Don't let one slip-up be an excuse to abandon your total program.

* Try to work off, through exercise, any foods eaten that were not planned for in your meal pattern. Try to estimate the calories they contained and burn off a similar amount in your workout. Remember, this must be done in addition to your usual exercise program if you are still to see weight loss.

* Remember that all types of activities burn calories. Make the effort to do things in the least efficient way you can. If possible walk instead of ride, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park in the furthest spot.

* Eat the most filling, least fattening foods first (for example salad before the pizza, soup before the meal) so you fill up faster and consume fewer calories. This is a good habit to develop as it makes keeping the weight off easier.

* Don't use food as a reward. An overweight person is already too dependent on food. Try not to associate happiness or achievements in your life with overindulgence in fattening foods. Substitute non-food rewards such as a new item of clothing or some exercise equipment when you deserve one.

* Never shop on an empty stomach or you'll end up with all sorts of things you really don't need. Eat a can of tuna, a piece of fruit, or drink a few glasses of water before you go. Try to shop from a list; it keeps you from getting too many extras.

* Don't use food as a tranquilizer. Eating to relive stress may feel good while you're doing it, but you'll most likely feel worse after. A brisk walk will do more to revitalize you and you'll release some endorphins, leaving you feeling 100% better when you're done.

* Liquids can sometimes alleviate feelings of hunger; in fact, many people misinterpret thirst as hunger. Have a big glass of ice water or seltzer, or a hot bowl of soup or broth. Then, before eating anything, wait 20 minutes to see if you're still hungry.

* Eat before you attend a party or event where there will be foods you might find difficult to resist or will tempt you to overindulge. If you have a full stomach it will be harder for you to have more than a nibble of the wrong foods. A bowl of vegetable soup or a half-cup of fiber cereal with a glass or two of water should do the trick.

* Aim to be the last one done eating. You won't have the chance to go back for second helpings that way. Eating slowly also gives your brain the time it needs to register that you've had enough.

* To keep a good attitude about sticking to your program, think about what you're doing as making "healthy eating changes" not as "dieting." Sensible eating habits are good for your health, figure and mental well-being.

* Always be in control of your eating, not the other way around. It is ultimately up to you, and only you, to decide what, where, and when to eat. Be firm in your convictions, keep your goal in mind and then act accordingly.

Lastly do remember, you may collect thousands of weight loss tips, but until and unless you follow them, your dreams of losing weight won't materialize

 LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) - European regulators are still reviewing the latest safety data on Sanofi-Aventis SA's (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) obesity drug Acomplia and will only come to a final decision next month, an official said on Friday.

"The review is expected to be finalised at the July CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) meeting," a spokeswoman for the European Medicines Agency said.

The EU watchdog had initially said it was likely to give a view this month.

The close review of Acomplia's safety profile comes two weeks after a U.S. advisory panel said the medicine should not be approved in the world's biggest drugs market because it may increase suicidal thinking and depression.

Acomplia, also known by the brand name Zimulti and generically as rimonabant, has been on sale since 2006 in Europe, where it is not recommended for patients with major depression due to its possible psychiatric side effects.

A new animal study on rimonabant (Acomplia / Zimulti) has identified yet one more possible health benefit for this controversial diet drug: it appears to reduce obesity-related liver damage that can lead to cirhossis of the liver.

A team of researchers led by Mohammed Bensaid of Sanofi-Aventis, the company that has developed rimonabant, reported on these latest developments in the July 2007 issue of Hepatology, the official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

In their study involving liver function in obese rats, the researchers said they found that rimonabant reduced markers of liver damage, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, and improved lipid profiles.

Male obese rats were given rimonabant orally daily for 8 weeks and had their food intake monitored; control animals received the same amount of food as those receiving rimonabant.

The researchers reported the results showed treatment with rimonabant reduced liver enlargement, completely abolished hepatic steatosis, and decreased blood levels of enzyme markers that indicate liver damage.

It also strongly reduced levels of hepatic TNFa, a pro-inflammatory protein thought to induce insulin resistance in the liver and be involved in the progression of steatosis to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.

"Our hypothesis is that the multi-protective effects of rimonabant may be mediated for a large part by both the reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFa and the increase in anti-inflammatory and protective cytokines or hormones such as adiponectin," the researchers said.