I would like to rephrase the word diet into a more accepting vision of weight loss because no matter how you slice it diet is a dirty word. Almost instantly the personal rate of failure esculates at the near mention of it. The majority of the time and with a majority of people diets normally only last for a small period of time before we tire of it and toss the towel in (most likely loosing some weight only to gain it back and then some, sound familiar? If so read on). On the other hand, when a person makes subtle changes to the way in which they live their life, most often times that person has a higher rate of success because it becomes an ongoing habit. There are several mistakes that can keep you from getting to your goal weight. But, you are not alone, many of us are guilty of one, if not several, of these healthy habit faux pas. So read on for some simple advice on how to avoid excessive bad calorie intake and some clues to what works and what doesn't when it comes to loosing weight.

If the key to loosing wait is cutting calories then why not just skip a few meals? Sounds good right? Wrong.... it is probably the absolute worse thing you can do when you are trying to loose weight. Meal-Skipping can actually cause your metabolism to slow down. The calories in your body are then stored for later use rather than being burned. Its as if your body is tricked into thinking that it is being starved. So it stores the calories for later and begins to burn muscle instead.

Solution: Typically, for excellent weight loss, a person should be eating up to 5 small meals a day (typical portions should be the size of your fist). This accounts for 3 main meals and 2 snacks. The three main meals should always include protein. Protein is a major key to success in the weight loss world because it causes you'r body to work harder to digest it which in turn causes the body to burn more calories (just ask any body builder). Beside protein always include a vegetable and a small amount of carbs (the good ones like a baked potatoe, this will help stray you away from a carb crash). Habitual caloric intake will increase your metabolism thus causing you to burn more calories. To calculate the actual calories needed a day based on body size, weight, and gender visit this site: www.weight-loss-center.net/daily_calorie_calculator.html

Tip-Remeber, oatmeal is protein too! so if your in the mood for something sweet add some fruit and a little cinnamon!

Tip-Popcorn sprayed with I cant Believe It's Not Butter spray ( 0 calories/spray) is another ecxellent snack!

Tip- Try to stear clear of eating after 8PM. You are less active while you sleep and calories are not burned as much as during the day.

Obviously, water is the main drink of choice when you are calorie counting but if your anything like me that gets old half way through the day. By dinner time I am looking for something to drink other than water and there has been times when my hand has reached for a soda, latte, juice, smoothie, sweetened tea, etc. (drinks that are absolutely loaded with sugar and fattening) more than once. So hear are a few great low calorie satisfying drinks that will help in weight loss. More importantly, ones you'll actually enjoy. And no its not slim fast.

1. Water (obviously,but try it with lots of lemon)

2. Unsweetened Ice Tea

3. Regular Tea

4. Coffee (black if you can handle it, if not use artificial sweetner and low fat milk)

5. Crystal Lite Lemonade (Pink or Yellow. Its only 5 calories a glass.)

6. Herbal Tea (green has more calorie burning benefits,with out adding sugar)

Tip- A night on the town can do serious damage to a diet. So before you hit happy hour this Friday check out this site and drink lite! http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/low-calorie-cocktails

Lets face it. The best solution to weight loss is excercise but who says to get a great work out you have to spend hours in a gym? There are enormous amounts of other options for burning calories. I would highly recomend visiting this site, www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-fitness-calorie-counter and find out wwhich excercise are best. This calorie calculator will give you personal results on over 600 different activities, exercises and sports. Feel the burn!

Tips:

1. Dance, just do it. Whether your out for a night on the town or just inside the house turn up the music and drop some moves. Dancing is a great way to burn calories quickly.

2. When your in your car and stuck in traffic- Tighten your arm muscles when you grasp the stearing wheel for an interval of 10 seconds with a 2 second rest. Do about 10 reps. So tighten, rest, tighten, rest and so on up to ten. Do the same for your ab muscles while you are sitting but hold for 20 seconds rather than 10.

3. Sorry guys but this is for the girls- Walk around your house in heels (stilletos, preferably). This is good for tightening up your calve muscles and it takes a lot more effort.

4. Just walk, period. Slow, fast, whatever you feel comfortable at for about 20 minutes a day 4 days a week. You will burn up to 200 calories depending on your speed. And it doesn't have to be all at once!. Break it up!

5. Clean the house. Vaccuming is actually a really good calorie burner.

6. Play with your children or with your pet , preferably outside. (Just standing while they play burns up to 95 calories every 30 minutes.)

7. Swim, wherever, whenever you can. You dont have to do laps just bouncing around in the pool is enough. (leisurely swimming around for 30 minutes can have you burning up to 205 calories.)

I hoped you enjoyed my tips. Remeber every individual is different. Finding what works for you is the best way to lose weight. When you love it you live it! Wishing you success on all your weight loss goals!