There are no "weird old tricks" or "secrets your doctor doesn't want you to know'

In my daily surfs through the web, I come across those advertising phrases often. "Try this one weird old trick to lose belly fat" or "Lose weight with this secret your doctor doesnt' want you to know."

Such claims are bogus.

I dont' really understand the psychology behind such phrases. Does calling someting a "weird old trick" appeal to teenagers who feel attracted to the words "weird" and "trick"? And are we so distrustful of doctors and the medical profession that we really believe there are "secrets" that they don't want us to know?

Losing weight is common sense. Burn more calories than you consume, and you'll lose weight. There are no tricks to it.

There's only a problem - for a lot of people. There's soooo much food available, and food these days tastes soooo good, and we've got so much free time on our hands because most of us don't have to grub in the dirt for a living.

Losing weight is simple (for those individuals who are healthy and mobile - that's who my advice is directed toward. If you've got chronic illnesses such as diabetes, you'll need to approach things a bit differently) - will power must be developed.

And that's easy if you approach it gradually.

Most diets insist you cut out certain kinds of foods - processed foods, sugars, carbohydrates, fat, and so on and so on. Not necessary. Just eat them in moderation.

Of course if you're unable to moderate...then they must be cut out completely. For myself, that's fresh baked cookies. I can't have them in the house because for all my vaunted willpower, I can't resist them. The whole batch would be gone before two hours had passed. So I confine myself to a couple of Oreo cookies for dessert, which satisfy my chocolate craving but don't "call to me" to come and get more.

You must find foods that you react to the same way.

And of course there's buying for kids. I don't give much advice on how to lose weight while coping with the demands of a family, as I have no kids and am quite happy about it, but I do have a nephew, and see the crap he eats.

Such things as "Fruit rollups" should be abolished. If you want your kid to eat fruit, give him or her an apple, or an orange, or something. Even a blueberry muffin is better than a processed piece of sugar with fruit flavoring called a "fruit rollup."

There are other foods designed for kids which really should not be touched. Indeed, the best thing to do is, if at all possible, don't go shopping with your kids in the cart. They'll see things they want, which you'll either buy, or if you don't buy them they'll cry which will distress the other shoppers!

Tip of the day
Water. Start developing the habit of drinking a glass of water after every meal. A full belly - albeit one full of water - will keep you feelng fuller, longer. Indeed, at night when the cravings call, try to distract your mind by turning to a good book and drinking a glass of water at the same time. The cravings will generally disappear, and you'll be able to go to bed with no hunger pains.