Certain foods are powerful. They cast a spell over the most well-meaning dieter, and cause logical people to overeat until their sides hurt. They occupy your thoughts to the point of obsession as you try to ignore a plate of cookies. And when it's all said and done, they accumulate on your body in the most obtrusive way as a result of dozens of unused calories. Why does food hold such power? And, most importantly, how can you control your eating?

The End of Overeating
David A. Kessler, MD set out to answer these pressing questions in his instant bestseller, The End of Overeating. Despite being a pediatrician, a former FDA commissioner, and former dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Kessler struggles with his weight. Observing the current obesity epedemic, he knew that he wasn't alone. Dr. Kessler, with the insight of some of the brightest minds in medicine and science, discovered the following three reasons that most of us are compelled to overeat.

An Irresistable Combination Rewires Your Brain: Think of your favorite treat - most likely it can be broken down into the basic building blocks of sugar, fat and salt. This combination is known of as the ‘three points of the compass', a combination that has been shown to literally alter the biological circuitry of your brain. Sugar, fat and salt give food a high hedonic value which gives you pleasure. This pleasure reinforces you to return to your favorite foods time and time again.

How much fiber do you eat each day? Grab a pen and paper and tally it up:

• Beans, one half cup (7)
• Vegetables, one cup (4)
• Salad, one cup (2)
• Fruit, one piece (3)
• Fruit juice, one cup (1)
• White bread (1)
• Whole grain bread (2)
• White rice, one cup (1)
• Brown rice, one cup (3)
• Intact Oatmeal, one cup (4)
• Meat, poultry or fish (0)
• Eggs or dairy (0)
• Sodas or water (0)

If you scored less than 20: You need more fiber in your diet. Boosting your fiber will control your appetite and cut your risk for many other health problems.

If you scored 20-39: You consume more fiber than most people, but adding more fiber to your diet will continue to make foods more satisfying and cut your calorie intake.

• Motivation will tell you to get out of bed for an early workout.
• Motivation will nag you to put down the doughnut.
• Motivation makes passing on fries a reflex.
• Motivation makes a sweat drenched workout exciting.
• Motivation constantly reminds you why you do what you do.
• If your motivation levels are lacking, read the following four steps to turn on your motivation.

The number one reason why people don't exercise is that they don't have time. At least that's what they tell themselves. I know we are all busy. Between getting to and from work, balancing responsibilities and having time for yourself, there's little left over for workouts. With the holiday season fast approaching your busy schedule is sure to get even busier. There will be parties, shopping, decorating, cooking and family gatherings. It's no wonder that exercise quickly takes a backseat to holiday activities. You don't have to succumb to weight gain this holiday season.

Escape the time crunch excuse in two easy steps:

Step One: Schedule Your Workouts
You've heard this before, and it makes so much sense. If you treat your exercise time with the importance of a work meeting then you'd never skip a workout and you'd be in amazing shape. While the scheduling concept is brilliant in its simplicity, you have to put it into practice to reap the benefits. Pull out your calendar and a pen. Don't laugh, I'm serious! Just do it. If you want to get into shape it starts with committing to a revised
schedule with a set exercise time.

Identify three 40-minute time slots and mark them on your calendar. That is when you'll exercise.

Remember this: if the thought that you should exercise this week is floating around in your head, but you haven't anchored it down to a specific time and date, then it will quickly disappear.