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Follow these steps to rid yourself of those extra kilos

1. Start thinking right. Don't think about quitting every time you slip up. Learn that everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them.

2. Start with a bang. Don't hide behind waist-length hair, over-sized T shirts, and tight jeans. Try cutting your hair. When you realise you can't hide behind it anymore, you will find that you have a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. Chances are you will start walking and eating healthy. And then measure how many kilos you lose.

3. Get comfy with your body. Just because you are overweight doesn't mean you are destined to be overweight forever. To get comfortable with yourself, stand in front of a mirror completely naked every couple of weeks. Find one body part you like - even if it's your knees! When you stop feeling angry or bad for yourself, you start wanting to look better.

4. See a pro. Meet someone who can help fine-tune your diet.

5. Be flexible. If you can't follow a rigid exercise routine, do whatever is most convenient. Your flexibility could keep you motivated to exercise and enjoy it.

6. Don't blame age. Start small, then slowly build up. Start even with just ten minutes, but keep at that ten minutes and build it up to 30 or 40 minutes.

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7. Step away from the scale. The more you check the more depressed you will get. Focus on a new interest: walking, swimming, anything.

8. Personalise your plan. Create your own weight loss plan. Develop your own program.

9. Build on success. Start with a small goal, maybe five kilometres a day. Build on that to 10, then 15 and so on.

10. Use a symbol. Remember that little black dress you used to fit into, that's now shoved under the bed? Well, keep it right in the front of the closet as a reminder of what you are not. Try fitting into it every two weeks. Until finally you make up your mind to start walking. Imagine how you'll feel when you finally fit in and with room to spare.

11. Seduce your taste buds. Try your diet out with different cuisine. You will have so much fun experimenting with exotic recipes that you will never felt you are dieting.

12. Move to eat. Do you want to eat less or burn more calories? If your choice is the latter, then get those gym shoes on and start walking.

13. Fill up. Eats larger salads, pomegranates, whole melons, and big chunks of watermelon. These will make you feel full without the fat or calories piling up.

14. Get it fresh. Throw all your cans of processed food out and get munching on the veggies. Try organically grown fruits and vegetables, and cook your own meals. Try water with a slice of lemon instead of cola.

15. Don't start empty. Eat breakfast so you do not snack during the day. You will find it difficult to concentrate and that makes you more prone to snacking. Eat a slice of toast, some cereal, an idli or two. You will find that your lunches get smaller and you stop snacking.