The formula for losing weight is simple. Eat less and exercise more. It's a formula that's work since the beginning of time. People tend to get all caught up in the latest diet fads, the latest weight programs to hit the market and what the celebrities are doing. It doesn't have to be that complicated at all. Just follow these 10 easy diet tips and watch those extra pounds melt away.



Diet Tip 1. Eliminate empty calories and junk foods (fats and sugars) from your diet. This one is a no-brainer. If you're going to eat, eat healthy.

Diet Tip 2. Reduce the amount of overall fat in our diet to a maximum of 30%. Eating less then 20% of your calories from fat is even better. Remember, some fat is essential and some fats are better than others. Avocado, olives, nuts and seeds, various oils like olive, flaxseed and canola, and fatty fish are all good fat choices. Keep some of these types of fats in your diet.

Diet Tip 3. Adjust your caloric ratio to increase protein during the day and decrease carbs at night. As a rule of thumb, you want about a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day. Eat protein throughout the day so your muscles get what they need, when they need it. Lower the number of carbs in your diet in the evening, as you have fewer energy demands as the day goes on.

Diet Tip 4. Eat less as the day goes on. As the saying goes: Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. This way as your day slows down, so does your caloric intake.

Diet Tip 5. Time your carbs. Get your carbs in the morning and afternoon and lay off them at night when your body doesn't burn them as efficiently. Carbs are also best eaten as a quick energy boost before and after a workout.

Diet Tip 6. Eat several small meals (5-6 per day), and eat less as the day goes on. Remember diet tip 4.

Diet Tip 7. Eat 25-30 grams of fiber a day. Great sources of fiber include wheat bran, oatmeal and beans.

Diet Tip 8. Vegetables are a great snack and should be a dieting mainstay. Make sure that you consumer at least five servings of vegetables per day.

Diet Tip 9. Eat and walk. Very light physical activity, like a stroll after lunch or dinner, not only helps digestion, but also helps to boost your metabolism and burns up some calories.

Diet Tip 10. Supplement your diet with the nutrients your body needs ? especially if you are cutting calories. Make sure that you are eating foods for all food groups and make sure the food that goes into your body is as nutritional as possible.

Again, you don't need to follow a celebrity diet plan to lose weight. By following these simple time tested rules of weight loss, you will lose those extra pounds, hit your weight loss goals and achieve a healthy lifestyle.