Have you noticed (and this makes me laugh) that the new diet pills on the market are derived from ‘natural sources’? You have the hoodia diet pill, the mango diet pill, the acai berry diet pill and the last one is the raspberry ketone. Since the fen phen diet pill scare, we’ve gone ‘all natural’, except for the drug Alli, which is now being investigated by the FDA, because it can cause liver damage (don’t tell). The fact is, I wouldn’t touch any of these pills even with a 10 foot pole. Why do we always want the quick and easy way out?

With that being said, here are 3 mistakes women make when trying to lose weight.

Mistake #1 – They don’t drink enough water

Without water, our body cannot eliminate the toxins stored in our fat cells. Many people drink sodas and sugar-free drinks, thinking that it is helping them in the battle against weight gain, when, in fact, it is creating more toxins in the body. Those chemicals have nowhere else to go but in fat cells.

Solution

Add a squeeze of lemon to the water. Make iced tea with herbal/fruit teas and even add a dash of honey if you like. Instead of soft drinks, buy sparkling mineral water.

Mistake #2 – Not getting enough sleep

America runs on adrenaline and caffeine. When we don’t get enough sleep, the adrenaline rush continues like the ‘energy bunny’; not good if you want to lose weight. This raises cortisol levels which binds fat. When you get 7-8 hours of a good night’s sleep, your body can really kick those fat cells to the curb.

Solution

Turn everything off and take some time to relax (without the TV) 30 minutes before you go to bed. You can come up with a daily ritual for this. Throw the TV in the bedroom (seriously). Drink a relaxing herbal tea, no punches or pills please.

Mistake #3: Eating Non-Fat, Low-Fat, and High-Salt Processed Foods

For the sake of convenience, diet foods have worked their magic on us, but I won’t buy it! These foods are non-nutritious, chemical-laden junk, and are even found in some health food stores. The worst culprits are protein bars.

Solution

Get real! I mean real food, that is. Fruits are the best convenience foods; berries have the lowest glycemic index. Check labels to see what you’re really eating. Just take the time to prepare simple, healthy foods in small portions.