Here are a few simple dieting tips and hints to help you on your journey to healthier eating habits:  

·  Be sure to read the labels on commercial products. Get in the habit of checking for nutritional vales. 

·  Beware of “low-fat” labels. They may be lower in fat than the normal product, but still high in fat content and calories. Sugar and other additives are often added to make up for taste. Substitutions: Use pureed fruit, applesauce, or non-fat yogurt in place of butter or margarine for baking. Use wine bouillon or tomato juice instead of oil for sautéing. Use flavored mustards, fruits and salsas instead of creamy sauces. 

·  Stay away from alcoholic drinks that can dehydrate your body and deplete it of potassium. Switch to fruit juices, calorie-free seltzers and diet sodas instead. 

·  Keep low-calorie snacks on hand fro those time when the munchies strike. 

·  Avoid diet milkshakes and the like and stick to healthy recipes you can control yourself. 

·  Don’t keep tempting foods in your pantry. If you don’t have them on hand, it’s easier to resist temptation. 

·  If you reach a plateau in your weight loss, try increasing your exercise a bit to get over that hump.  

·  Be realistic in your weight goals and know that not all can be thin as a reed. In fact, business is booming for large models these days. The point is to love yourself by eating a healthy diet, and not berate yourself by being overweight. A positive attitude is always important. 

·  Get a good mindset before you lose, with a firm goal in mind and perhaps a prize for yourself when you meet that goal. If you fail to meet your dieting goals on a particular day, don’t despair. Simply continue on anew the next day. Although you do need to stick to a daily plan to get into healthy eating habits, you don’t want to invite any eating disorders or health problems by being overly obsessive.