Before starting your diet planning, you need to find motivation to help you lose weight. That motivation may be the prevalence of diabetes or heart disease in your family, or it may be the desire to fit into your old high school cheerleading outfit; your choice.

Diet planning isn't just for people trying to lose weight; people with metabolic diseases have to do it too. For example, diabetics must plan their diet around smaller amounts of carbohydrates than most people can handle, and the lactose-intolerant have to avoid milk products.

When it comes to diet planning, it's not a weakness to admit you need help. That's what dieticians, doctors, and personal trainers or for. If you don't want to spend the money, check your library or the Internet for valuable sources -- but don't fall for a fad diet's promises.