Because many factors affect how much or how little food a person eats and how that food is metabolized, or processed, by the body, losing weight is not simple. First the good news - losing weight is about self-image, but we should never forget the health benefits that come from reduced chances of heart attack, stroke, and cancer.

That is the good news - let us look at the other side of the coin. Most people I know who are on weight loss programs are pretty pessimistic. They just think that it is a massive task and they are not likely to succeed. They have also probably seen that according to Harvard University, 95% of people on weight loss programs will put back on the weight they have lost within a few years. To those people I say that you have to maintain a healthy psychological attitude and that will be a can-do and up beat approach.

Traditionally Americans are famous for large portions of proteins and carbs. They have been convinced that's what it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle! How wrong can they be! As waistlines increase and obesity stalks the land, it is time to rethink our attitudes to food.

Basically, the first rule is to make sure that you are going to burn up all the calories you have consumed. Eat less, burn more. It does not really matter where the calories are coming from but it makes sense to limit your total amount of fat. Here are some tips on what to cut out or keep. Buy lots of fruit and vegetables. Watch out for salad dressings and cheeses which contain too much fat. You can always go for the low-fat option when buying milk, cheese and yogurt. A good healthy breakfast which includes low-fat dairy or non dairy products, eggs and lean meat is a great way to start the day.

A group of researchers at the University of Colorado recently published some good news. They have been tracking successful weight losers , i.e. those who managed to lose at least 60 pounds and were successful in keeping it off for five years! Another group of researchers with the National Weight Control Registry found that the success stories were those people who managed to keep their daily intake of calories to around the 1,400 level. More good news is that in many major US cities (New York included), restaurants are obliged to publish the calorie information on their menus.

Lots of people on weight loss programs worry about getting exercise and may not have time or the money to join aerobics classes or go to expensive gyms. The answer is that a simple activity such as walking can be just as beneficial as an aerobics class. If you walk just twenty minutes a day, you can burn 100 calories and that will enable you to lose a pound in a month. Exercising with weights or strength training is also exteremely beneficial as it will protect bone density and help to avoid osteoporosis.

You will always feel in a better mood after any form of exercise. This is due to the 'feel-good' endorphins which are released when we do any physical activity. This is a great aid to motivation and will encourage you to keep at it. As regards choosing the right diet, try The Mediterranean Diet - it has been studied all over the world as a model for healthy eating.