Often times I'm approached by a frustrated person who can't seem to drop the weight. They tell me that they exercise, they eat healthy, and they drink plenty of water. "So why can't I lose weight?" they ask. Not only are they frustrated, but they are getting close to losing hope that they will ever lose the stubborn pounds that plague them.

Do you want to know what I ask them? It is a simple question that usually reveals the problem behind their inability to lose weight.

"How often do you eat each day?"

The most frequent answer that I get is 2-3 times each day. Most of us are fooled into thinking that in order to 1ose weight we should eat as little as possible, this is simply not true.

The problem with going for an extended period without eating is simple: your body thinks you are starving. As a result your metabolism slows to conserve energy and when you do eat the food will be put into storage - also known as fat.

Eating smaller meals throughout the day forces your body to burn calories all day long and the results are amazing. When you begin to eat in a grazing fashion your body will respond by dropping unwanted pounds.

This is probably not the first time that you have heard this tip - but, if you are like most unsatisfied fitness enthusiasts, then you simply don't do it. Why not? As far as weight loss tips go, this is about as easy at they get, so why the resistance? Here are the top 3 excuses that I hear:

1. I don't have the time

Now you and I both know that, no matter how stressful or demanding your job is, you can still find 5 minutes every few hours for a snack. The issue here is not that you don't have the time, it is that you just aren't making it. Sure, old habits are hard to break and maybe you have a set time that you like to eat everyday. That is fine, don't change the usual mealtimes, just add a couple of snacks throughout the day to keep from going hours on end without food, and then eat a little less at your regularly scheduled meals.

2. I tried it and it didn't work

I simply don't believe it. There is no way that you really tried it and it didn't work. The formula is simple: small meals every 4-6 hours. Emphasis on the word small. These aren't four course meals, if this is your story then read on for a sure-fire plan to make this tip work for you.

3. I forget to eat

When you first start eating 4-6 small meals instead of 2-3 there will be a bit of an adjustment time. If your body is used to going for hours on end without food, then you may not feel hungry when it is time for your next small meal. The key here is to be as organized as possible. Think ahead and pack small meals so that they are ready to go. With a little effort you will be eating every few hours like clockwork.

Your Fool-Proof Plan:

• Eat small nutritious meals every 3 hours throughout the day, eat your first within 30 minutes of waking.
• Make sure that each meal contains quality protein, complex carbohydrates, mono-unsaturated fats and fiber.
• Your goal is to eat more often, not more calories each day.
• Keep a food log - write down what you eat when you eat it and take time to review your progress.
• What should you eat? Whole grains, fresh fruits, lean protein and veggies.

I encourage you to use this powerful weight loss strategy in your own quest for a fit and healthy lifestyle.