According to recent surveys, over 66 percent of Americans age 20 and over are overweight by at least 20 pounds. One of out of every three Americans is obese - a number that has doubled in just ten years. Obesity is at an all time high as America becomes the fattest nation on the face of the earth. This epidemic is growing out of control in other countries as well as fast food franchises open in China, Japan, Germany, and other industrialized nations.

Most of us could stand to lose a few pounds, or at the very least start down the road to a healthier lifestyle. Carrying extra weight can make you more susceptible to heart problems, diabetes, stroke, and various types of cancer. It can also affect your body image thus causing problems with your self-esteem.

Many people associate weight loss with being hungry all the time, they're afraid to start a weight loss plan because they want to avoid the frustrations of feeling hungry. Our natural instinct tells us to eat when we are hungry. Hunger is a signal telling the body that it needs to eat, it is also a signal to the body that it is in danger, that it needs food now. Our self-preservation instinct makes us scoff down everything in sight in response to feelings of starvation. You do not have to be hungry in order to lose weight. On the contrary, eating regular meals and keeping yourself full is what will actually help you stick to your healthy eating plan and reach your goals. Keeping your hunger in check will help you avoid overeating. It will also prevent you from feeling miserable, frustrated and out of control.

So don't starve yourself in pursuit of weight loss. There's absolutely no need for it. Get used to the idea that losing weight does not require being hungry. If you lose weight in a healthy way you're likely to keep it off for good, visit