Are you out of shape or overweight? Try one or more of these fast diets.

Recent private studies as well as government reports confirm that a large percentage of people in the US and elsewhere around the world are overweight. This is a condition most people are willing to “live with”, but it is a very serious problem and can contribute significantly to your health and well being.

Obesity is a definite danger to your health. It can trigger heart and respiratory disease as well as a number of other symptoms and illnesses including hypertension, high blood pressure and diabetes.

If your waistband seems just a little tight and you have that nagging sensation that you are getting “FAT”, do something about it!

First you should review your daily diet and eating habits:

* Are you eating regular and healthy meals at least 3 times a day? A well balanced diet should include all the basic food groups.
* Not eating breakfast is a poor way to diet, it makes your metabolism slow and sluggish and therefore defeats its purpose.
* Do you snack between meals - cookies - ice cream - candy - chips?
* Are you drinking water, or are you drinking soft drinks, cola, coffee or tea? Water is an essential element in any diet. Most people don’t get enough.
* Do you exercise on a regular basis or are you a couch potato?
* Have you tried and failed or given up several diet plans in the past?

Ask yourself and you will probably know what it is that is contributing to your putting on the weight. You can start losing weight today with a fast diet or by just cutting out that favorite snack or drink - or at least cut the portions in half.

An average can of a regular soda such as cola contains approx 100 calories. If you currently drink 2 cans per day and cut that to 1 can per day, you eliminate about 3,000 calories per month. Make just that one change and you will lose 10 pounds within a year.

Balanced meals, drinking at least 100 ounces of water per day instead of those carbonated soft drinks. In addition, cutting back on sugars, starches and alcoholic beverages will go a long way towards achieving safe weight loss without resorting to any diet plan at all.

If you still believe you need a diet plan and when you are really ready and serious about weight loss, first consult your doctor and then make a commitment to yourself to stick to your chosen (doctor approved) diet regime at least for 30 days.