When we speak of a low-calorie diet, we're talking about one that reduces the number of calories we consume each day through solid foods and drinks. Whereas the typical person takes in about 2,000 calories a day, those who want to lose weight will instead change to a low calorie program. This diet will limit the person to about 900 to 1,300 calories daily.

Calories are what help your body run throughout the day, calories are fuel to a person just as diesel is fuel to a car. When you eat fewer calories your body will burn off fat that has been stored in your body rather than burn the calories you have just eaten. This is what helps you lose weight when you stick to a low calorie diet.

You should pick up a good calorie counter that helps you determine what foods have what amounts of calories in them. Always check the packets of foods you are buying to see how many calories are listed. Also look at the fat content as well as the calories.

Remember that cutting calories is not your only goal in planning your meals. You still need to be sure that your meals are healthy ones. Don't try to lose too much weight too soon by starving yourself. You're just going to get sick, and in the long run, you'll just wind up eating more to make up for what you deprived yourself of.

There are three main staples to every person's diet and these are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. You should still have a good proportion of these nutrients within your low calorie diet as they keep your body healthy. For every gram of carbohydrates there are 4 calories; so in order to still get your carbs and lose weight you should have roughly 60% carbs in your low calorie diet.

Proteins are amino acids which are vital to staying fit and healthy and maintain a nutritious diet. For every gram of protein there are again 4 calories. You should try to make up at least 15% of your low calorie diet of proteins.

We talked earlier about a calorie counter; another book to keep handy is a Diet Diary. Make yourself write down what you eat (and how much of it) after every meal. Just the act of writing it down will make you more and more aware of what you're eating-and might make you less inclined to eat that bowl of ice cream or that doughnut.

Finally, just as important as your diet is beginning a regular exercise regimen. First, you need to consult a physician, and after getting his go-ahead, start slowly at first. Maybe you'll begin with just walking or slow jogging. Add a little bit more to it each time. Perhaps eventually you could incorporate a gym-based program, where a trainer can help customize a plan just for you. Before you know it, you will no longer recognize the "you" you see in the mirror!