Advising the average person to not concern herself with calories but instead to pay attention to hunger triggers and eating foods rick in nutrients--well, it's a wonderful concept. I also love the thought of unicorns jumping over cotton candy rainbows. I'm even considering taking up basketball to see if it makes me taller. Come on already! Suggesting that someone who struggles with his weight does not need to think about calories is as risky as suggesting you not look at price tags the next time you're in the market for a car.

Energy is a state of mind. Tell yourself you're tired and you will be. Tell yourself you feel great and you will

Treat yourself like an overweight, out of shape person and that's what you will be. Why not train and treat yourself like an athlete?

Never measure yourself against magazine covers. Every 'perfect' body you see in a bikini is a result of weeks of dieting and exercise. And airbrushing.

You're always a work in progress. Flexibility. Personality. Motivation. There's always room to improve.

What positive things have you said to yourself today? Acknowledge your greatness.

When I hear health professionals suggesting that you shouldn't worry about the balance of calories in versus calories out, but rather eat clean and follow your hunger instincts, well, I really just want to pinch their heads off. That's like a millionaire suggesting that instead of worrying about that's in your bank account, just listen to your shopping instincts and buy high-quality goods . . . weight loss is not magic. To a great extent, it's accounting.