New Tricks

Here's a trick that draws on positive reinforcement to quash your cravings before they propel you into the danger zone. Post on your fridge a smashing photo of yourself, a picture of your sweetie or even a postcard of your favorite, bikini-worthy vacation destination. When you wander over to the kitchen, you'll find a full-color reminder to be your best self -- one that generates plenty of (nonedible) food for thought. Aruba, anyone?

Add Muscles Today

Exercise regularly to keep fit. Its important to add muscle to your body simplt because muscle burns up calories 18 times faster then fat does on your body. So as you add more muscle, your metabolism is increased and you can burn off more calories per day. You can walk, jog or run up the stairs. Just do it.

Plan Your Meals

Plan ahead - the fast food industry banks on people's need for food on the go...if you take the time to prepare your breakfast, lunch and dinner, you become a little more in control of your daily caloric intake. While you can eat at fast food places, most of the menu is off limits to you...if you are going to a fast food place, know what foods are okay for you to eat, know how many calories are in the food, how many grams of fat, etc. Don't just assume that this sandwich that you get will be a certain number of calories...its important that you know the exact amount of calories. Also, if you are going to a restaurant, think ahead of what you want to eat there...remove that temptation and stick to exactly what you planned on eating before going to the restaurant.

Eat To Live...

Eat to live, don't live to eat. Yes, I've always hated when someone said that statement to me, but in truth, its an important lesson to learn. The reasons we eat certain foods or indulge in certain junk foods is often far from being hungry. Some people eat to comfort themselves, some people eat for the pleasure of eating, the taste, texture, etc, but you really have to ask yourself, what should be the function of food in my life. You want to shift the focus of food as entertainment to food being what fuels your body...too much is bad and your body won't function properly. Changing your attitude towards food is important if you want to succeed in any diet.

Take Smaller Meals

Try to take smaller meals throughout the day rather then larger meals. If you eat smaller meals throughout the day, your metabolism will stay at a higher rate and you won't feel as hungry throughout the day.
Just having all your calories at one sitting will doom you to that hungry feeling and if you have that hungry feeling you'll be a little more apt to break your diet. If you have a series of smaller meals, you'll be able to feel slightly full at different moments of the day. There will be less time you have to "do without" and you'll feel better for it. Your body will also process smaller meals better and subsequently burn off the calories quicker.