Dieting and weight loss are the #1 topics of conversation any time two or more people are in a room together. It doesn't matter whether the group is male or female, dieting and chatter about food is the conversation of choice. The #2 topic most often is the latest super-fast way to get rid of extra pounds. We live in a world where fast solutions are a necessity.

The good news is there are ways to quickly drop extra pounds in as little as 5 -10 days. Even better news is this can be done safely. Because I've been a hypnotist and personal development coach for many years I've been able to work in a lab, so to speak, to observe hundreds of people with different body types and diets and behavioral habits.

This has allowed me to match results across the years and create enhancements that have helped scores of dieters. Having done this for more than 15 years I've documented some interesting and useful findings.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 85% of the population is caught up in what is referred to as an epidemic. Its name is obesity. All this means is we eat more than we burn and the excess food is stored as fat.

Now that's out of the way lets look at some of the simple ways you can fast-track your dieting goals and find success with losing fat and excess weight.

It doesn't have to hurt and best of all these methods produce lasting results. By lasting I mean, my clients experience a 89% success rate which basically relates to 8 of every 10 keeping their weigh off without ever dialing my number again. Let's look at part of the lessons they have learned and applied.

1. Set a goal for the weight you want to carry around on your bones. Don't spend any time worrying or thinking about the fact you've never stayed with it before. The same thing could happen this time but it doesn't matter at this point. Set a goal for what you want to weigh and write it down in big letters in the center of an 8 X 11 sheet of white paper and draw a circle around it.

2. Now you're ready to set a goal for what size clothes you want to wear. Add the colors and styles too and cut out a few pictures of clothes you'd like to wear. You may want to get a scrap book and paste or staple these items into the book. However, you can also just use file folders. Keeping it simple is perfectly OK. Just do the work and keep it handy so you know how to find your written goals.

3. This is a No-Guilt-Allowed program. If you have ever started a diet or any type of weight loss program you've probably dropped it at one time or another. Until the desired behaviors are imprinted they are not automatic so it's easy to just stop the program.

The important thing is not to beat yourself up with self-talk or self criticism. Guilt and negative self-talk are part of the problem. They are in no way what-so-ever a part of the solution. Drop guilt and self-talk immediately. When you catch yourself doing it again stop it immediately.

After a week or so you'll notice a reduction in the episodes. Stay vigilant and respect yourself and don't let guilt and self talk back in. They are goal killers and have no place in your new lifestyle.

4. Now for the exercise portion of your new super-fast weight loss program. Before you start dusting off weight plates and washing your gym shorts, I'm not talking about that kind of exercise. We're talkin' visualization exercises.

Take it from me, your mind is a lot stronger than your body right now....in fact at all times. We're going to do mental exercises to begin and extend the fat melting process. Here's how it works:

Designate at least 2 ten to fifteen minute periods and use this time at least 2 to 3 times a week. You'll be performing some silent exercises that you'll repeat following these simple steps. Be sure you turn your phone ringers off and let your assistant/family member/partner, etc. know you'll need to be left alone for this period.

Find a comfortable chair (recliners are perfect...just be sure you don't fall asleep) and sit back and take 3 long...slow...deep breaths and release them very very slowly. Repeat that exercise 3 times and continue to relax with your eyes closed.

Next you'll want to use your mind's eye to see yourself at your chosen size and weight engaged in something you do every day. Just use your imagination to observe yourself and your surroundings including the sights and sounds that would be normal and natural for the time and place you choose to visit during this exercise.

Create a nice fantasy spot for your exercises. Maui is great, especially if you've never been there before. It's your fantasy so create a great place and have fun with it.

Be sure to set your cell phone timer for 10-15 minutes, otherwise you'll lose track of time and miss your appointments. Remember to repeat this exercise at least 2 or 3 times a day. In the morning before starting your day and at night just before bedtime work best.

5. You've got the exercise part in hand, now for the diet. For the first 5 days, eliminate bread and bread products. This may take more time to figure out than you would imagine.

What this means is, everyone knows how to recognize a slice of bread or a hamburger bun. It gets a little tricky to detect when bread has been slipped into your diet in other forms.

You may want to read the labels on some items, however, most of the time it's simply a matter of scrapping the coatings off of things like fish sticks, corndogs, and other bread and batter dipped goodies.

That's it for the first dieting item. Eliminate bread for the first 5 days and you'll notice a drop of approximately 2 to 5 pounds every 7 or so days from this single adjustment.

It's always suggested to drink more water, however, you should check with your doctor about dieting before getting started. She is always your best pre-diet check point.

BTW...I mention eliminating bread for the first 5 days as a jump-starting process to start the fat-melt going. You may want to make this permanent once you see the results.

6. I add this next tip and believe it is the most compelling secret to success. Make yourself a commitment about your weight loss goals. This step relates to more than just your chosen weight and size goal. Your commitment is to how you want to live your life going forward.

I talk with my clients about the importance of living thinner. It works like this: Most of us know, or have heard of a person who seems to eat everything they want and yet never seem to gain a pound. They are not particularly athletic or overly active, however, they always seem to effortlessly maintain a balanced look in regard to their weight and size.

My comment is not an endorsement of this persons' lifestyle. I intend it to illustrate a point of focus for your consideration as you think about your commitment to yourself. Your quality of life depends on living thinner. This is not a recommendation to become fixed on cutting calories or exercising to the maximum or any such outlandish ideas.

Living thinner means putting more focus on balance in your life across the board. We tend to be wasteful when it comes to many things in the lifestyles we enjoy. Our current challenge with global obesity is just one observation of the outcome of a lifestyle that is outwardly, rather than inwardly focused.

Living thinner means doing what you enjoy with every ounce of focus and energy to truly enjoy the moment, but not to excess. It is the excess that drives us over the edge so to speak.

Living thinner is about being in balance. It's about focusing on a healthier lifestyle. One that serves your higher good.