10 Simple Tricks to Fight Fat

Say "so long" to crash diets and mini-meals that leave you starving! Just follow these easy rules and you'll cut out over half your daily calories!

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You don't have to put yourself through boot camp to slim down. All you need to do is make minor lifestyle changes to your diet. Now you may be thinking, what does that entail? Well iMag readers, it's just a bit of planning, a little cooking, a large amount of self-control. We went to Weight Loss Expert, Dr. Chris Mohr, and got his simple tricks to simplify your diet.

1. Plan ahead. If your only options are a vending machine and fast food, try to pack meals and snacks the night before. That way your never left with your stomach growling during the day or on you're way home. Planning will allow you to be successful.

2. Don't taste foods while cooking. While this may not seem like much, just an extra 100 calories each day means at least a ten pound gain at the end of one year. Simply tasting foods can easily exceed that.

3. Cook in bulk. Do this on a Saturday or Sunday, when you have more time than usual, and use those leftovers throughout the week for lunches and dinners.

4. Exercise in the morning. Nothing magical about this time, but when it's out of the way, nothing else can take priority.

5. Shop for the week. Plan the meals for the week on a Sunday and shop for the items needed that day. If your refrigerator is empty on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, for example, it's likely you'll turn to fast food!

6. Write your goals daily. Keeping a diary of goals helps with permanent success. Then you can look back and reflect on your progress.

7. Include a fruit and/or vegetable in every meal. That way you are getting your nutrients in and avoiding snacking on something that is unhealthy. It will also keep you fuller longer and keep you from overeating later on.

8. Use vegetables as your base and build meals around them. For example, fill up a bowl with sauteed veggies and add pasta on top of them. This way the bulk of your meal is low calorie, high nutrient vegetables.

9. Earn your carbohydrates through exercise. The more you exercise, the more you can eat, but always pick quality, high fiber carbs.

10. Use fresh herbs as a replacement for sodium. They are loaded with flavor, high in nutrients, but have zero calories.

For more great nutrition tips, check out iMag's Food Section.

About the Expert: Dr. Chris Mohr is a weight loss expert, who teaches people how to lose fat permanently. His expertise has been sought out by LL Cool J, Food Network Chef Emeril Lagasse, Fitness Celebrity Denise Austin and he is the sports nutritionist for Under Armour. He has written over 500 articles for consumer publications, such as Prevention, Men's Health, and Weight Watchers, and is a nutrition advisor for Men's Fitness Magazine. An athlete himself, Dr. Mohr is a finisher of the 2008 Louisville Ironman. For more information visit www.MohrResults.com.