How many diet books are out there now? It's amazing how the more diet books that are available, the more overweight we become. The problem is it just creates more confusion for everyone. Do we low carb, no carb, high carb, acai berry, fast, cabbage soup, low fat, or eat a balanced diet? If you don't like the diet book, just look for one that fits your lifestyle. Our problem is we are used to getting what we want, instead of adapting for what we need. Let's discuss some basic rules you should follow if you are really serious about getting in shape.

1. Don't go extreme - If you can't maintain a nutrition program for a prolonged period of time, don't even bother starting it. We have some an extreme and quick fix mindset that we think we can speed up everything. "If I just follow this extreme diet, I will lose all of my weight and then I can just maintain." Let me ask you something. Kids need attention and care over the years they are growing up. If you neglect them for years, do you think you can make them "well-behaved" in a short period of time? Your body is the same way. You have to take care of it over the long-term if you want it to look a certain way.

2. High Fructose Corn Syrup - This is not something you normally hear about, but it causes more weight gain than we give it credit for. It's in just about all of our processed food. Studies have shown that when comparing people who eat vs. cut out this one ingredient have a different end result in their body fat levels. By cutting out foods that contain this, you will eat more natural foods and start losing weight. You will be forced to eat vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains. Try it for a week and see what happens.

3. Restaurants - You have no idea how many calories you are consuming when you eat out at restaurants. There are more calories, sodium, sugar, and fat in your food than if you had chosen to make it at home. When people go out to eat, they are judging if they will come back or not on taste. Restaurants are going to focus on that and you will end up with more calories than you anticipated. My advise: If you don't know the nutritional information of the food you are putting in your body, don't eat it.

Jason Hodge
Katy Health and Fitness Expert
http://www.MedicalFitnessPros.com