Is effortless weight loss possible?

Well, it certainly can be easier than it is. With more and more Americans on diets and just as many of them binging, there has to be a way to stop the extremities and just get down to what works and what doesn't.

Here are 12 ways to make losing weight as easy as apple pie... well... maybe rice cakes!

1. When it comes to activity, one minute is better than none. If want to workout but only have 10 minutes, fine, just workout for 10 minutes. Don't get stuck thinking that if you don't have 30 minutes then it's not worth it.

2. Get a positive support group. Not a bunch of people hanging around talking about how much they want a chocolate sundae, but surround yourself with people who are pushing hard for better health.

3. Walk after dinner. You can burn calories and speed up your digestion by moving a little after your meal. This is also a great time to spend with family or someone who supports what you're doing.

4. Smile. I cant tell you how important this is for weight loss. The more you smile the less anxiety you have. The less anxiety, the more you can relax and not reach for food to calm you down.

5. Visualize a thinner you. Spend time in the morning or at night visualizing yourself thinner and lighter. Think about how you'll walk in a room, think about how you'll bounce out of bed. If you can see it, it can happen.

6. Make a collage. Make a collage that represents the ideal you. Cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers that get you motivated and put them all together. Put your collage on the refrigerator or on your closet door so you see it once or twice a day.

7. Set small tangible goals. You should be reaching goals every week that you've set for yourself. Whether it's lose one pound or eat 6 servings of spinach, make it achievable and keep track.

8. Eat something you love once in a while and dont worry about the calories or the fat. Don't look at this as a "cheat" but as something that you want to do. You will feel better about it and it won't become a "forbidden" event.

9. Stop thinking about your diet. You should view this as a way of life. "Diet" thoughts lead to overeating and deprivation behavior afterwards.

10. Do exercises that you like. Too many people do exercises that they don't like and then they dislike exercise. If you don't like the treadmill, stop using it and find something you do enjoy.

11. Don't watch TV. What does this have to do with dieting? It will help you reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that watching television raises levels of stress. This can be a trigger for overeating.

12. Eat cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper can raise your metabolism up to 8% for 2 hours after eating. This alone will not help you lose the weight, but every little bit helps.