As you already know, obesity is becoming an epidemic.  The New Year is always a good time to look at what you aredoing as it relates to diet and exercise and see what you can do better.  Healthy eating habits should top the list.  But what if you are  healthy eater and just cannot get that needle on the scale to budge? 

A simple, slight adjustment in how you eat and think can help you reach your weight loss goal.

• Get your max intake.  Go to prevention.com/caloriecalculator and plug in the weight you want to e (as well as height, age, and activity level) to get your daily caloric allowance.

• Divvy it up.  If 1,800 calories is you max, split it into three 500-calorie meals and one 300-calorie snack.

• Rev up your routine.  Short bursts of intense activity burn more calories -- an up to 36% more fat.  So take the stairs, park further away from the entrance or wash the car -- you get the idea.

• Write it down.  A bit here and a bit there add up.  Keep a log of everything you eat.  Just writing it down makes you more aware.

• Eat the real thing.  If you want something sweet, eat the real thing.  Forget about fat-free, sugar-free foods - just eat the real thing but in small portions.

Remember, part of weight loss is in the mind not the belly.  The hardest thing about losing weight is making up your min to do it and stick to it.  It takes discipline and a commitment on your part.  But these few things can really makke a big difference when you step on the scale.