"We can't be perfect," says Heller. And feeling like a "bad" meal, day, week or month means you've totally messed up is a good way to set yourself up for failure. In any process that requires changing lifestyle habits, there are going to be ups and downs. Understand that, and you're on your way to lifelong success.

Obstacle Advice
That said, expecting ups and downs is the perfect way to make them work for you, rather than against you. We asked our Community users what they think are the most common weight-loss obstacles. Here's what they said, and what you should do when you come across them in your weight loss journey.

Common Obstacle #1: Shame

One user said: "My biggest mistake? Skipping my Weight Watchers Meeting because I know I gained some weight. That's when I need help the most!"

How to jump the hurdle: Knowing you overindulged can be upsetting, says Heller, but instead of punishing yourself, learn from the lesson. Out of shame, you may feel tempted to stop recording what you eat in your Journal, or to stop stepping on the scale. Don't! "Keeping a good food journal keeps you conscious and aware of what you're doing," says Heller. You can use it together with weekly weigh-ins to find out how well you're doing, and most importantly, why you're getting the results that you are.

Common Obstacle #2: Unrealistic Deadlines

One user said: "Every time I say I want to lose weight by a certain date or event, I wind up not losing anything and sometimes gaining. That has been my biggest downfall. Now I just do the plan every day. No stress. I'm just doing it."

How to jump the hurdle: The temptation to try to get to a certain weight goal in time for an event that you want to look awesome for such as a wedding or reunion is strong. But doing so, says Heller, could just set you up for failure, and not making your deadline could turn you off of weight loss altogether. "Be patient with your body," she says. "Set realistic goals, then work hard to get to them." Remember, making your weight goal will feel just as great if it takes you longer to get there, and taking the time to establish healthy habits will help you stay at your weight goal for life.

Common Obstacle #3: Temptation

One user said: "Before Weight Watchers, I would say, 'I'll never eat X again' in order to lose weight. 'Never' is a long time, and restricting foods from my diet just made me want to eat that restricted food even more!"

How to jump the hurdle: If you have favorite foods that are very high in POINTS, and you really love them, deciding you'll never eat them again is a recipe for disaster. Because then, when the temptation wins (and it probably will), you'll feel as though you've failed. The trick is to find ways to fit the food in without going over your POINTS range. Look for low-POINTS versions, for example. Or bank your POINTS so that every once in a while you have room to splurge. "Just always understand the pros and cons of eating whatever the food is," says Heller, and plan accordingly.

Common Obstacle #4: The "Diet" Mentality

One user said: "When I think of weight loss as 'this is how I'm living my life now,' instead of calling it a 'diet,' it become less overwhelming. Just 'something I do'. Otherwise, I get hung up on 'I can't wait until I can eat X again.'"

How to jump the hurdle: "Something you do for a couple weeks to a month is not going to change your life," says Heller. Create habits that you know you'll be able to do every day for the rest of your life, and, even if it's one habit at a time, dedicate yourself to making the changes for good. This way, your weight loss will be for good, too!

Common Obstacle #5: Plateaus

One user said: "When I read the stories of people who have been really successful at this, they have hung on despite plateaus and gains. Being impatient is probably my biggest mistake."