today is the last day of 2008 and for those who want to start the new year with a nice and healthy figure, here are diet tips from the january 2009 issue of reader's digest.

start doing this
1st> take 10 000 steps a day
2nd> eat breakfast without fail
3rd> never skip meals
4rd> savour each bite/ dont eat while doing sth else
5th> stop eating b4 you are full
6th> eat slowly/put your fork down betw bites
7th> enjoy favourite food in moderation
8th> avoid shopping on an empty stmach
9th> target easy wins - eg, have a diet soft drink instead of a regular one
10th> keep to a shopping list
11th> have 5 small healthy meals a day instead of 3 large ones
12th> keep a sense of humour
13th> always leave sth on your plate
14th> eat with cutlery, not your fingers(no offence to malays or indians)
15th> get most of your calories b4 noon

tricks and shortcuts
1st> down size your portions
2nd> fool your eyes: use a salad plate for meals instead of a dinner plate; a tall glass rather than a squat one
3rd> avoid highly refined "white" food such as white bread
4th> see what you are eating: eat form a bowl or plate instead of eating out of a bag or jar
5th> eat b4 you go to a party to avoid temptation
6th> surround yourself in blue; it's an appetite suppressant

dining out
1st> avoid all-you-can-eat buffets
2nd> order entree-sized meals for yourself or share a main
3rd> dont clear your plate
4th. avoid garlic bread and herb breads
5th> order dressings or sauces on the side
6th> choose tomato-based sauces on pasta
7th. choose sorbets or fruit salads for dessert
8th> fill up on water

biggest myths
1st> drinking hot water will "increase your metabolism"
1st (tie)> some food have "negative" calories
3rd> fasting is a quick and effective way to lose weight
4th> doing sit-ups will flatten your belly
5th> cut out carbohydrates after 5pm
6th> exercising in an empty stomach will burn more fat in less time
7th> diet alone will lead to sustainedweight loss
8th> eating less shrinks your stomach over time

what's on your plate?
1st> unprcessed food - those closest to their natural state
2nd> "naked" food: fresh fruit and vegetables not covered in fat, salt or suger
3rd> protein from lean animal, fishand/or plant sources at every meal(eg, skinless chicken)
4th> high fibre food such as wholegrain breads or sweet potato
5th> plain water
6th> low-GI food auch as oats, legumes and sweet potato
7th> food low in saturated and trans fat such as rice, nuts and pasta
8th> low-fat dairy food such as skim milk and low fat yoghurt
9th> zero-clorie teas
10th> spicy food that may speed up you metabolism, such as chilli

top craving-busters
1st> distract yourself with activities
2nd> keep pre-prepared raw vegetables nibbles in your fridge
3rd> grab a water bottle
4th> give yourself ten mins. still craving? just have a lil bit of the treat
5th> eat a hand ful of unslated nuts
6th> kill it with caffeine - sip a black coffee or skim latte
7th> brush your teeeth
8th> substitute with lesser evil. eg, oopt for potato wedges instead of fries

what not to do
1st> take laxatives
2nd> say you'll "start 2moro"
3rd> eat unlimited amt of "lite" food
4th> skip meals
5th> attempt to cut out fat totally from your food consumption
6th> weigh yourself daily
7th> deny yourself treat food

motivate me!
1st> tape a list of goals to your fridge
2nd> keep a food and exercise diary
3rd> reward yourself with non-edible treats, such as a movie ticket
4th> strip off in front of a full-length mirror every night
5th> buy clothes the size you want it to be

how to fit in more exercise
1st> walk - a great way to burn fats
2nd> be more active in your lifestyle
3rd> mix up your exercise to prevent boredom
3rd(tie)> find an exercise friend to keep you company, or a dog or an iPod
5th> include muscle-strengthening exercises such as push-ups
6th> have a solid goal in mind and discipline
7th> take up a dancing or team sport
8th> do a few exercises during the ad breaks of your fav tv shows

hope this helps..
yunting(: