Many of us wouldn't mind shedding a few pounds from time to time, but there are a number of common errors that will ultimately leave you back at square one or worse: gaining even more weight than you had started off with.

Here are the top five mistakes people make when trying to lose weight.

1. Being ill-prepared/not factoring in relapses
Before attempting to lose weight, carefully consider the lifestyle changes that come with successful weight-loss, says Toronto-based fitness consultant Michele Drake. To modify your lifestyle, Drake believes it's important to understand certain stages of change such as these:

• Preparation: developing both short- and long-term goals and strategies.
• Action: following through with your plans.
• Maintenance: keeping up with your goal in the future.

Above all, Drake emphasizes the importance of the preparation stage. "This is an area that a lot of people overlook and don't do properly," she says. You should be mentally, emotionally, and physically ready to undertake a weight-loss plan. Start by throwing away the junk food in the cupboard; consider buying new workout gear and some comfortable running shoes. Plan for daily walks, jogs, or get a gym membership. At the grocery store, buy healthier foods such as veggies, fruits, low-fat yogurts and lean meats.

Many weight-loss plans come with ups and downs - times of relapse when you may not be reaching your goals. By being prepared for the challenges that come with losing weight, you'll be less likely to give up when you encounter those roadblocks. "You need to have something that helps you from going into a rut," Drake says. Develop a points system or a creative strategy to help you get through those tough times and don't give up your entire weight-loss plan just because you've had a moment of weakness.

2. Choosing a wrong course of action
Is your goal to shape up, lose weight or both? The plans of action and end results for these objectives may be quite different.

With strength training, you may get stronger and your muscles may gain definition but you may also put on some pounds. The weight gained won't likely be fat but lean muscle, which can make you heavier.

If your objective is weight loss, pumping iron for hours isn't the ideal approach to take. It may be best to do a variety of physical activities including aerobics, walking, and even dancing. Consult with a personal trainer if you'd like help determining how best to reach your weight-loss goals.

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