What's completely ignored in the diet debate but essential to long-term success, is the need to realign the body's biochemistry in order to reach a healthy weight.

I wondered when the best time for a diet would be. Surely there must be a lull, some sort of break from food-focused festivities in a twelve month span.

Without starving yourself, without diet pills or gimmicks, even without exercise, it is possible to have thinner, smoother thighs in three weeks.

Remember, not all Easter candy is created equal. So this Easter, if you're looking to give a basket of goodies that's a little lighter on the hips, here's my favorite candy picks.

A recent study has confirmed what I have been teaching for a long time. A calorie is a calorie and the only way to lose weight is to take in less calories then you burn. The end.

Despite the fact that I lost 212 pounds, I have to admit that exercise played a barely negligible part in my weight loss.

Welcome to Lighten Up!, my weekly blog which talks about the joys and woes of America's favorite past time - dieting - on a practical, everyday level.

Know and count the calories. You can include chocolate in your daily diet if you plan for those calories. If you get 1,300 calories a day and 160 of them are chocolate, you should still be fine.

It appears we contemporary Americans may have switched the interpretation of "pursuit of happiness" to "pursuit of pleasure."

Please, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, educate yourself. Read all you can from reputable sources.

The pain of being overweight, and all the negatives associated with it, has to be greater than the pleasure of the food before one is ready and willing to change.

Eat small, frequent protein meals. If you eat the same amount of calories, but in small, frequent portions rather than 2-3 larger portions, you will boost your metabolism and lose weight.

Let's acknowledge that no one was born with a 'this is how to walk' manual. We all fell on our tushes multiple times and were applauded for it; encouraged by our parents to get up and try again!

The best way to keep track of your weight is to weigh yourself everyday, first thing in the morning. Write down that weight and average it out over the week.

If you are in some form of fat denial, you may find yourself avoiding the scale. This can go so far as avoiding going to the doctor as they always weigh you there.

Imagine the word "love" is sitting in your heart. Feel it. Breathe into it. Let it move up through from your heart and into your face. Smile, soften your gaze and let 'love' flow!

If you make a New Year's Resolution to go on a diet, days or weeks before January 1st, you are really saying that you give yourself permission to pig out until then.

I'm not going to tell you that permanent fat removal is easy - primarily because you'll be plenty peeved at me - but I am going to tell you that it is only as difficult as you make it.

I have been touting the value of food records for years. It is tedious and it can be hard to write down high calorie days, but it is so worth it.

Those who reach their weight loss goals are simply the ones who get back on the wagon -- again and again.

We teach by example. You can tell your kids till you are blue in the face that they should not eat junk but if you are imparting this wisdom with a bag of Cheetos in one hand... good luck!