Sure, some unfortunate Americans struggle with extreme obesity, but most of us don't have a weight issue- except for a few pounds. You know binging and eating too much turkey and mashed potatoes every so often adds up to a little extra weight. To get a healthier body, you need to shed those pounds.

Having to lose 10 pounds may not be dramatic enough for a television talk show, but we can't ignore this topic. In fact, we want to help...you can shed 10 pounds by following these tips:

Choose the Right Time

Trying to lose weight can have a strong influence on your sense of self-worth. If you notice the extra pounds dropping, you feel like a soaring eagle; on the other hand, not enough change in weight can eat away at your self esteem. That's why you should begin at the right time, when you're not trying out a new job, moving, or getting married. And you shouldn't have any major problem to deal with, like a divorce or debt. In other words, the more stress you have, the less likely you'll succeed in your plan to lose weight.

Choose Better Foods

Losing weight doesn't mean going hungry. Simply go for balance, having a maximum of 30% of your calorie intake from fat. The rest of your calories can be from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and high protein foods. Experiment with exotic recipes, using aromatic spices to flavor bland-tasting foods.

Record Your Progress

A great way to push yourself to success depends on seeing your daily progress, but how do you determine progress? You may weigh yourself every day and not notice any weight loss until a week has passed. Even after the scale shows one or two pounds of weight loss, you probably won't see any difference in the mirror.

Instead, you can track your progress with a calorie chart: each day, record the amount of calories you take in and the number of calories exercise burns off. Subtracting away the burned calories leaves you with the net total, which you compare with your recommended daily value. Then you can see how well the plan works.

Join With Friends

Find a friend who also shared your desire to lose 10 pounds and motivate each other to reach this goal. Say you want to quit after the second week; your friend's gentle prodding can help you go ahead with the plan. Or, if you can't get off the couch, who else but a friend, wearing a jogging suit, can get you out of the house? And exercising turns into double the fun when you jog, or do aerobics, with a friend.

Be Realistic

Having a plan with a clear goal makes losing weight easier. But you should set a goal that you can reach, like losing one or two pounds a week. Most of us can handle this goal by making a few adjustments in our diet and exercise habits.

On the other hand, what if you decide to lose 10 pounds in three weeks? Then you would eat a lot less food than your body needs, giving you body not enough nutrients to survive. And exercising too much would overexert your body and can lead to injuries.

However, you can avoid injuries and poor health by setting up a goal that you can really meet. Although losing 10 pounds slowly may take longer, you won't sacrifice your health and well-being in the process. Plus, once you lose the extra weight, you'll know how to maintain your weight. That way you can stay healthy for the rest of your life.