If You Fail to Plan, You Plan to Fail

If you've decided to lose weight, make like a Boy Scout and think of yourself as being on a mission. The key to success is to have a game plan for every situation that might throw you off course. This stuff isn't brain surgery — it's common sense. If you take the time to think ahead, you can come up with ways to overcome every obstacle. Here are a couple of surefire strategies:

• Go through your kitchen and throw out all the junk food and processed garbage immediately. (You can't eat it if it's not there!) Don't buy these foods anymore — just eliminate them from your kitchen entirely. If your spouse or the kids start whining, you can tell them I said they're better off not eating that stuff either. Reacquaint yourself with your local supermarket. Shop in the healthy sections and stock up on as many organic fruits and veggies as you can afford — and steer clear of the aisles that contain your trigger foods. 
• If food that's available in the workplace is your downfall, steer clear of it entirely. Take different routes to avoid the vending machines and the frighteningly fattening foods in the cafeteria. Bring healthy snacks and meals from home to stash in your desk. Do whatever you can to stay away from anything that might throw you off course and hamper your success.