According to Garfield, diet is a die with a T. For a lot of people, dieting means that they have to give up the foods that they love the most. Isn't it ironic that the foods that provide more pleasure to the senses are the ones loaded with calories, look at pizza, dough nuts, ice cream, pretzels and chips. These foods make us happy but they also make us fat.

There is the typical view that food is our enemy. That food is a temptation and must be avoided at all costs if you want to achieve fat or weight loss. Some people think that in order to lose weight, you will have to settle for less delicious dishes. Actually, it's all a matter of perspective and discipline.

There used to be a great number of diet programs like the no-carbs diet, or the high-protein diet, or the grapefruit only diet. While such programs have achieved minimal results, it has gradually been realized that it is not really what you eat but how much you eat. It is also about your relationship with food, how you treat it, and how you approach it.

If you want to lose weight and reduce fat, you must first consider your eating patterns. What type of foods do you typically go for? What time of the day do you eat more? Try to identify your triggers, those factors that make you eat more and choose less healthy foods. Do you overeat when you are stressed? Do you view food as a treat or merely just a necessity? These questions are vital if you are aiming for a long term standard of health.

The important thing when you decide to get healthy is to have a balanced diet. It's not about the number of calories but the number of nutrients you are getting. Diets usually don't work because people see them as a last-ditch effort. People get into diets when they are desperate or they want to see results fast. If you really want to be healthy and look good, you have to change your lifestyle and your perspective on food.

For example, carbs are not the enemy. In fact, you need them to burn fat. Contrary to Mr. Atkins, protein is not always your best friend; it can also work against you without the proper balance. And if you only eat fruits and vegetables, you might lose strength as your body needs energy to work. It's all a matter of balancing these different factors.

A good way to start getting healthy and achieve fat loss is by educating yourself. Start making lists of what you eat and begin keeping track of your habits. Prepare your own meals and eat out less often. Better yet, prepare a menu at the start of the week. There are many recipes and balanced menus available online and in books to help you get started.

Also, do not neglect your fluid intake. You need to be constantly hydrated to be able to function and to also burn the unwanted calories. It is equally important not to deprive yourself as this will usually lead to over-indulging. Remember, it's not just about losing the weight, it's having the best body that you possibly can.