As a therapist and coach that helps people to achieve the changes they want in their lives, I've sometimes thought about jumping on the weight loss band wagon. You know, write a book like Dr. Phil.

The problem is that it would be a very short book, with just two chapters with one page each.

The first chapter and page would say eat differently. The second chapter and page would say exercise more.

That's really about it. We tend to make it harder with lack of discipline and self control.

How our language gets in the way

We talk all the time about losing weight. But think about that language. Losing weight? Have you ever lost your keys? What do you immediately try to do? That's right, find theme again. How many of us have lost weight and then found it again?

That's why I coach people to use the phrase "getting rid of weight."

It works.

What works for me

When I want to get rid of weight, here are the three things that always work for me:

1. Exercise regularly, just about everyday.

2. Give up soft drinks.

3. Eat nothing but fruit before lunch. It fills me up, tastes good, and helps the weight come off because fruit is made up primarily of water. You do have to make bathroom trips a little more often, but it is worth it.