Lost Weight With the F.A.S.T. Plan

Jan. 12, 2007 — -- Eight members of the Dean family recently experienced a tremendous loss -- together, they dropped 500 pounds.

With the Family Always Succeeds Together plan (aka the F.A.S.T. plan), your family can lose weight, too. Use the checklist below to help shape your diet and fitness regime.

Schedule workouts as a family, and set calorie-burning goals for exercise based on height and weight.

Based on height and weight, make maximum daily calorie limits for everyone in your family. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fiber.

Within your family, make sure everyone has an official buddy or teammate. If a family member is about to do something that would be considered cheating -- say, eat a candy bar or skip the gym -- they have to tell their buddy and give the buddy a chance to convince them out of it.

Have everyone in the family fill out a daily log of calorie intake and calorie burn from exercise. On the weekends, get together and compare notes.

The F.A.S.T plan isn't only for traditional families. Someone trying to lose weight could also get together with co-workers or friends to create a group. To be successful, create a support group and have that group become your "weight loss family."