by Linda Alter

Created on: October 06, 2008   Last Updated: October 14, 2008

So you are trying to diet and lose weight, and if you are like many others, you are having a tough time of it! Don't give up on that weight loss just yet, all is not lost! You CAN lose weight and keep it off, with the proper combination of diet and exercise. Metabolism plays a large role in weight loss.

First off, if you aren't eating, you'll need to start. I'll explain....You need to eat to lose weight! YES! Your body will go into starvation mode if you don't eat! So here is the secret to kick-starting that metabolism...

FOODS TO EAT:

First off, you'll want to eat three square meals a day, and 3 snacks a day! YES! That IS a lot of food! If you don't eat, however, your body is going to go into a starvation mode and you will never burn that fat!

EAT CEREAL! Oatmeal is great for you!The old fashioned kind of oatmeal is the best kind to get. Add fat free milk to your oatmeal to get calcium. Milk also helps you to lose weight!

EAT YOGURT! Yogurt is GREAT for burning fat! It turbo charges your body, gives you TONS of energy, and is also a GREAT salad dressing!

EAT SALADS! Eat at least one to two salads a day to turbocharge your metabolism. Add green peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other raw veggies to add lots of vitamins and add taste to your salad.

EAT VEGTABLES! You will find your diet stalling if you don't eat enough veggies. The more you eat, the more you will lose! Cook up zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, or other green vegetables for a healthy treat! They can even be a great snack. The more you eat, the better you will feel! They are loaded with vitamins and will give you tons of energy.

PROTEIN IS GOOD! Eat fish, chicken and then pork with beef last. Beef should be lean with the fat cut off. I eat fish about 2 to 3 times a week, with chicken most other days. I have pork or beef about one time a week. I try to have some form of protein at dinner, and I usually have yogurt for lunch as my protein. If you wish a heartier lunch, however, you can have 2-3 ounces of tuna or other meat with your lunch and 2-3 ounces of meat at dinner. About 6 ounces of meat a day is sufficient for the average person.

SNACKS: Fruits should be healthy. Grapes and raisins are very high in sugar content so beware, they can sabatage your diet. Apples, oranges, watermelon, pears, plums, and all your traditional fruits are good. Raw vegetables are also good for a snack. You can also get the small packs of microwave popcorn, but get the kind that is fat free.

STARCHES: Whole wheat products

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