Fat is a necessary nutrient for your body. However, too much fat can lead to health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Taking active steps to lower your recommended daily fat requirement is a great way to get on track with your health and fitness goals. Each step is a relatively small change that leads to big results. Keep in mind also that like anything in life there are good and bad when it comes to fats.

Step One:
Ditch the fad diets. Going on a fad diet will only leave you feeling hungry and grumpy. Fad diets will not give you lasting results. What you need is a lifestyle change. Do not be fooled into trying any more fad diets, slimming pills, or magic cures. If you want real and lasting change, commit to achieve your goal through the hard work and discipline of changing your lifestyle. This is why the Medifast Diet simply works. It isn't a fad diet and it gives your body all the nutrients it needs to function properly. This is why more than 20,000 doctors have recommended it since 1980.

Step Two:
Sleep. A sleep-deprived body will produce an abundance of a hormone called cortisol. This hormone not only causes you to crave fat-laden food, but it also forces your body to store excess fat around your mid section. This type of fat is known as visceral fat and is the most dangerous, as it lies on top of your major organs.

Step Three:
Pay attention to your cravings. Some cravings are your body’s way of getting a nutrient that you are lacking. This does not mean that if you are craving ice cream you should down a whole gallon. When you notice yourself craving a certain food, take stock of your environment and emotions. Are you stressed, bored, tired, upset? Are you turning to this particular food for comfort? Before you indulge, try drinking a full glass of water to see if the craving subsides. If not, reach for a healthy alternative food source. For example, if you are craving sugar, try eating fruit. If you are craving ice cream, maybe your body needs more calcium. Eat some yogurt or drink milk. If nothing satisfies, go ahead and eat what you are craving so that you do not feel deprived. Eat just enough to feel satisfied. Don't go crazy.

Step Four:
Watch your portions. Many people consume excess fat simply due to extreme portion sizes. It is okay to eat a rich and flavorful meal, but cut the portion in half. You will notice that you are perfectly content with the smaller amount.

Step Five:
Make substitutions. Look for creative ways to substitute lower fat items when you can. For example, eat leaner cuts of meat. Bake a cake with applesauce instead of butter. It will take some creativity, but the results are worth the effort.