We all know how easy it is to put on weight and how very hard it is to lose it. It's no wonder really when we consider how enjoyable eating is and how stressful it can be mentally and physically to refrain from eating. It's normal to resist the feeling of being deprived, so many of us continue to gain weight gradually seeming to hardly notice it.

Furthermore, many scientific studies show that diets do not work as a way to permanently lose weight. The human body does not easily lose weight when dieting because it seeks to save itself from famine by slowing metabolism and making it hard to burn fat. In other words, the human body cannot tell the difference between starving yourself and dieting.

A huge problem for the body in this modern Western world is the popularity (and addictiveness) of sugary soda drinks, snack foods and fast foods. Fast food is a deceptive way to eat. Apart from the obvious lack of nutritional value, these foods are high in calories and yet fool the stomach into still feeling hungry because the calorie content is far higher than the bulk of the food would suggest.

So, instead of one burger, it is easy to eat two. Instead of one piece of chicken, you don't feel full unless you eat three plus chips. Not to mention the soft drinks used to wash down such meals.

Consequently, if you eat fast food you will be ingesting far more calories than you need and if you live a largely sedentary lifestyle these additional calories will be converted to fat in the body.

Snack foods are another impediment to healthy living. This is because they not only tend to be high in calories, they are easy to resort to when hungry.

Instead of reaching for a pack of chips when you feel peckish, reach for fruit instead. If you have trained your taste buds to prefer chips and other snack foods, it may take a little getting used to but your body will love you for it. Eating a couple of pieces of fruit when you are hungry will not only fill your stomach and take away hunger pangs, it will also provide your body with essential nutrients so you feel well and have the energy to live your life healthily.

Even if initially you dislike fruit, you will find over time the craving for snack foods will diminish and you will begin to enjoy natural eating. In fact, once you have kicked your bad eating habits, you'll wonder why you enjoyed them in the first place.