Wow, with this many diet programs on the market, what are you as a concerned dieter suppose to do? You need to know up front that even though you may purchase these diet programs or plans or take weight loss supplements, you will also have to change your lifestyle.

You are going to have to change the way you eat and exercise more. There is no way around it; if you are wanting to loss the weight, burn the fat, develop those ever so appealing six packs, then you must change the calorie intake as well as the calorie usage. Long story short- if you don't burn more calories than you eat - you are NOT going to lose weight!

Have you ever purchased the newest ebook on how to lose weight or newest ebook on how to burn fat? I bet you have bought an exercise video to get you jump-started or bought countless supplements that are suppose to promote weight-loss or fat burning? Have you sat glued to the television as some "fitness" expert touts his/ her way as the ONLY way? How about your computer, have you surfed for the latest and greatest diet, diet supplement or weight loss plan?

If you have read any of these claims, then you have been told a lie. I know, they have countless testimonials and great pictures so why can't you be just like those individuals and lose all your fat. You could lose the weight like they did- couldn't you?

Weight loss ebooks, books, tapes, videos, programs, supplements and advice are a dime a dozen. Some of these weight loss supplements have conducted clinical trial while some have had no testing - other than to test you to see how fast you could let go of the money. With all of this uncollaborated information flying at you from all corners of the world, how can you protect yourself from just throwing your money away? I realize that you want to lose weight, but come on- let's do it the right way!

How can you protect yourself from getting wrapped up into a diet that is not safe, ineffective or unrealistic?

You protect yourself by looking at the research behind it, the clinical studies - was it double-blind tested, read all the claims (good and bad), if there is an email address next to a testimonial, write them, and of course the ingredients (if it a supplement, patch, or prescription meds).

Protect yourself by making sure that everything in the supplement is natural and safe. There should be no additional chemicals or ingredients added in for good measure, because you only want natural, organic ingredients in your diet supplement or diet patch. Even in small portions, hazardous or dangerous chemicals are still not good for you.

Please make sure that you have addressed the BIG question Why you are over-weight?

Do you eat because you are hungry,because you think you will get a surge of energy or because you are depressed or stressed? Are you bored so you just eat or do you enjoy eating (the chewing factor)?

Some people think they are eating just a tad because they have made it a habit to grab just a little bite as you pass by the food! You know that if you just take a small bit, then take another small bite, you are never sure how much you have actually eaten. But you look down and low and behold - it's gone - all of it!

By all means please protect your health and your life !Before starting any diet, go to your family doctor and have him/ her examine you to make sure that there are no under lying issues to your weight gain. Ask your family doctor if you are healthy enough to lose weight. Then choose an appropriate weight loss program.

After all, your weight loss is the primary mission. It is one of the hardest things to do next to lowering your debt. Why? Because a good diet program takes will power, consistency and determination. You have to approach it the same way you approach work. On a daily basis. You must change the way you view food and respond to food.

Approach the weight loss program knowing you have to increase your output and decrease your input. Get some support while you are losing weight. It does not have to be a support group of over weight individuals, although sometimes those are great. Consider asking someone from your church or gym to help you. Be accountable to someone other than yourself. A diet buddy can help motivate you and keep you focused on your weight loss goal.

Copyright (c) 2008 Phyllis Ekleberry