<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"*Did you put on pounds over the holidays? Or make a New Year's resolution to get fit? Since diet and fitness are on everyone's mind this time of year, every Wednesday in January, we'll be bringing you special guest bloggers: experts in nutrition, diet, and fitness.*\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nToday, Stephen Gullo, New York City weight-loss expert, author of [The Thin Commandments](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1579548989/powersurge)* (Rodale), and weight control specialist for*Allure*'s Total Makeover program, explains how a few small changes to your everyday habits can help you ease into a successful weight loss plan.*\\n\\n\\n\\nThe problem with dieting is that it teaches people what to do to lose weight, not how to live once they've lost it. I talk about making permanent changes in behavior to keep the weight off for the decades to come.\\n\\n\\n\\n__1\\\\. Eliminate a single food.__ Dessert, the bread basket, salad dressing\u2014they're are all good, easy choices. Or you can switch from eating meat or chicken to seafood. There was a study done on people replacing beef with salmon, and although the foods contained about the same number of calories, the people who ate the fish lost more weight.\\n\\n\\n\\n__2\\\\. Change your drink.__ You don't need to cut out alcohol entirely, but switch from your favorite flavorful drink to something you don't love as much\u2014even if it's just from white wine to red. You'll probably sip much less. And be sure to alternate every alcoholic drink with a non-alcoholic one, like mineral water or ice tea.\\n\\n\\n\\n__3\\\\. Change your behavior.__ Sometimes it's not about a particular food, it's a pattern. Promise yourself no mindless nibbling at the office, or decide not to bring home the foods from the supermarket that tempt you the most.\\n\\n\\n\\n__4\\\\. Start going to the gym.__ I want to make it clear that exercise will give you fitness, but not save you from \\\"fatness\\\" if your eating isn't correct. I encourage exercise not because it burns calories, but because it gives focus and structure and increases motivation. Just be careful not to overexercise and then go home and overeat. Your legs will never go as fast as your fingers.\\n\\n\\n\\n__5\\\\. Consider whether something is really a comfort food.__ For most people who think they are finding comfort in an unhealthy food, a major cause of their *discomfort* may be their weight and feeling out of control with their eating.\\n\\n\\n\\n__6\\\\. Revise your attitude.__. Dieting is not about deprivation and missing out. You can eat whatever you want\u2014but ask yourself, do I like it enough to wear it? There is a substitute for almost every high-fat or high-calorie food, so don't think of it in terms of good or bad food. Think, does this work for me or against me? Deprivation is in eating the foods that will deprive you of a lifetime of being trim and happy with yourself.\\n\\n\\n\\n__RELATED LINKS:__\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [\u00B7 Daily Beauty Reporter: How To Finally Hit Your Weight Goals](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2010/01/how-to-finally-hit-your-weight-goals.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [\u00B7 Daily Beauty Reporter: Can Your Diet Make You Live Longer?](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2009/12/can-your-diet-make-you-live-lo.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [\u00B7 Daily Beauty Reporter: Overdid It Yesterday? Try These Tips.](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2009/11/overdid-it-at-thanksgiving-try.html)\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n  [\u00B7 Daily Beauty Reporter: How Your Mood Affects Your Weight](http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2009/10/how-your-mood-affects-your-wei.html)"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.allure.com/story/stephen-gullo-small-changes-for-easier-weight-loss>