How's this for a diet: Take in fewer calories than you expend and you'll lose weight. I just read another article that suggested this as the sure-fire way to lose weight. Of course it's true, and about as useful as telling an alcoholic he can beat his problem by not drinking. Yeah, right.

Have you noticed that almost every diet is guaranteed to work if you follow it? Of course, it's your fault if you don't do what they say, right? What a bunch of nonsense. If you can't stick to a diet, then it doesn't work - not for you, anyhow, and what's the difference if it works for others?

You Are Unique

Don't let someone sit there biting their nails for the fortieth year in a row tell you it's willpower you need. Of course it would be wonderful if you could force yourself to do whatever you decided to do. The truth, however, is that we each have our areas of difficulty, and our ways of operating. No one but you can judge just how hard you actually are trying, or even what you need to do.

Address your specific needs. Maybe your weight problem is something that requires psycological help. Maybe you just need a slightly easier to follow diet, and you'll finally lose that weight. Maybe exercise is the way for you.

You know people that eat all they want and don't gain weight. It's so obvious that we are each physically and mentally unique, and so often ignored when it comes to diets. Find the unique combination of factors that work for you, and your existing "willpower" will be more than enough.

Steve Gillman writes on many self-improvement topics. You can get more weight loss tips, and subscribe to a free weight loss newsletter at: http://www.99WaysToLoseWeight.com