Dropping those extra pounds

I am not going to give one of those lectures on how everybody is perfect the way they are and beautiful in their own way, etc. etc. etc.

This would be something close to a lie, as well as misleading to those who wish to lose some weight.

The most important thing is not how other people look at you (as I'm sure you've already heard) but how you look at yourself. And let's face it (time for honesty) every woman feels better about herself if she looks nice and slim. (I am not obsessive, I'm just telling the truth based on both personal experience and what a lot of women have told me.)

But crash-dieting as a result of low self esteem can easily end in disaster. You'll probably give in and eat more than usual after a few days.

What you have to do is learn how to avoid doing this by finding other solutions.

Exercise

So if you want to get drastic about it, don't compulsively starve yourself. The intense desire for immediate results can inspire you, of course, but take it out in a different way: intensely exercise. Spend as much time as you can at the gym, going for a run, or even doing crunches on your bedroom floor. The feeling of satisfaction is much better than what being hungry brings.

Food

And as far as nutrition is concerned, the most important thing to remember is no snacking between meals! This is the way to put on the pounds. If you feel you must chew something, go with gum. It's satisfying and tides you over until the next meal. Or at least replace the junk-food with dried fruit: it's healthy as well as satisfying. Also, replace your usual snacks with fluids: they fill you up much faster and if you drink the right ones, the calories are minimal or non-existent. (See below.)

Eating can also be a result of boredom. If you keep yourself occupied during your free time instead of sitting in front of the TV (which automatically creates the desire for potato chips or something of the like). If you're busy enough or happy enough, you won't even think about food until you look at the clock and realize that it's time for a meal.

If you feel like your system is clogged with junk food and you absolutely have to ingest less in order to get it out, you can occasionally replace breakfast with a fruit salad, and have a salad with embellishing such as cheese, eggs and ham for lunch. If you're looking for fast results, eat one very complete meal in the day and two much lighter ones.

Fish is also a component for balancing out your diet. Replace the pork medallions and cream sauce of dinner with some nice salmon and lemon juice. Besides being unbelievably healthy, things like this are very low on calories.

While on the topic of fish, I feel inclined to mention sushi. This can be particular and not to the taste of many people, but if you like it and are trying to lose weight, eat it for lunch or dinner as often as possible.

Otherwise, the immortal yet tormenting solution: skip dessert. Yes, ladies, I know it's tragic, and when you've achieved your goal you can go back to having something small yet satisfying once a day, but until then it would be advisable to let it alone for a while. (I'm truly sorry to have to say it, but it's true.)

Finally, back to the basics: lots of fruit and vegetables, whatever else you may be eating. (I don't think that I need to say more than that on the subject - enough people have preached the virtues of these fresh foods and it's enough to say that I completely agree with them.)

Fluids

A little more of getting back to the basics: water, water and more water. Under normal circumstances, you should drink about 1.5 to 2 liters per day. If you're trying to drop some weight, 2.5 to 3 would be more advisable.

Otherwise, fruit juices are useful if you feel like something sweet. This, coupled with fruit itself, makes a temporary substitute for desert. And don't hesitate to amuse yourself with mixes and cocktails: make yourself a spritzer with some Perrier once in a while.

But while I'm on the topic of alcohol, I have to remind you that it does contain its own calories, so keep it in moderation.

Finally, green tea is wonderfully slimming. This does not have to be kept in moderation, so drink it as often as you can. It's very healthy and good for your system, so it's impossible to over-dose. (Black tea is also nice to drink during the day if you feel that coffee is too strong and would make you hyper - either is also a nice substitute for snacking between meals.)

Now, I apologize for saying such horrible things as 'skip dessert' and 'keep alcohol in moderation' as I know that these two things can be essential to a woman's survival. Remember, though, that I have not said anything about coffee: you do not have to abandon this, it does nothing wrong. (I can practically hear the sigh of relief.)

But just remember that dramatic arrangements such as these are only temporary. (A week or two of a slight diet that combines some of the ideas that I have listed is all that I recommend, otherwise just alternate between them.)