Diet and exercise are important factors in our lives. We see many obese people in our daily lives. We ourselves may be included in that category and want to change that about ourselves. To do this we must develop some new habits which will benefit us for the rest of our lives.

1. Eat less - Remember what you mother used to tell you "Eat everything on your plate."? Don't do it. Eat until you feel satisfied. We often think we must clean our plates but we do it out of habit not necessity. Then we snack as a hobby not as a needed intake of food. Try using smaller plates. Eat 4 - 6 small meals per day. Eat most of your calories early in the day.

2. Drink more water - You should drink 8 eight ounce glasses of water each day. It is a hassle to continually count those glasses of water so just make sure you drink a glass every time you are in the kitchen. When you are on the road and stop for a soda, get a bottle of water instead. Water cleanses the waste from your body. It also makes you feel fuller so you will eat less.

3. Eat more fruit - Look back at the societies of the past. Did you see a really huge problem with obesity such as we have today? They rarely had that issue to contend with. What was their diet? Fruits and vegetables made up a large percentage of their diet. And besides an apple is easier to take with you and quicker to prepare than a sandwich.

4. Vegetables - As noted above, our ancestors must have had something right, after all there weren't many fat pilgrims or Indians. Obesity is pretty much a modern condition.

5. Rice and potatoes - Easy to prepare and filling. Once again look back to the ancestors.

6. Exercise - Not in the gym. Let's make it easy. Walk when you can. Park further out in the Wal Mart parking lot and walk to the door. Give up the elevator and use the stairs.

7. Spend time with friends and family - Very motivational when they tell you haw good you are looking and they will help occupy your time and mind so you are not thinking about food.

These are just a few common sense and relatively inexpensive weight loss tips to build your diet program around. Give them a try and see if you don't start looking and feeling better.