Are you considering paying to lose weight or to go on a diet? Don't spend your hard earned money on some weight loss program. Dieting is not rocket science. It's doesn't have to be that complicated.

You can lose weight. You do not have to give up your favorite foods or drinks. You do need to believe that you can do it. You do need to mention your diet to someone who you know is going to say you can't do it, because this strategy is the best incentive.

You do need to understand that "fad diets" or any diet you go on that promises fast weight loss is an enormous mistake. You do need to understand that if you feel hungry, you're doing it wrong.

You can do it! At the time of this writing, I have lost 10 lbs. I feel great. I feel determined and confident. I do not feel hungry.

One of the reasons I'm confident about losing weight is because I lost 40 pounds about 5 years ago and I kept it off until this winter when I sat at the computer drinking Pepsi and eating chocolate all day long. I'm pretty much addicted to Pepsi and chocolate, so now I drink one Pepsi a day on most days. Occasionally, I will drink three Pepsi's and eat a big chocolate bar all day, because if I don't do this intermittently, I would never stay on a diet.

It's a good idea to check in with your doctor before you start a diet, if for no other reason; now your doctor is watching your progress too, and that's another incentive.

My doctor, Dr. Julie Colvin, told me that she had a weight problem, although she doesn't look like she ever had a weight problem. So I asked her for the best idea she could give me about how to lose weight. She said to eat an apple a day, which is really funny when you think about it because you know the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but anyway, I took her advice and I eat an apple a day with dinner.