Isn't it amusing how we can flounder for weeks thinking about getting back into shape but, once we finally do make the decision to take aim at our bulging backsides, we automatically go into combat mode?

But then, who can blame us? We've all experienced the feeling that the only way to annihilate fat is to enlist the most aggressive means possible. There's no denying it. Body fat is a formidable and obstinate opponent. Before you embark on your next seek-and-destroy mission, take a look at a few tactics that can make the difference between winning and losing the fight.

BE A STRATEGIST, NOT A WARRIOR
Winning a war takes more than just brawn and brute force. Think of it this way. If all it took was a lot of hard work and sweat, there would be a lot more fit people in the world, right? Guaranteed, if you charge in, full speed ahead, without a sound and efficient plan behind you, you'll be waving that white flag before you know it.

CALCULATE YOUR ODDS
The odds of winning any challenge can usually be reduced down to a few basic numbers, and fighting flab is no exception. On your side you have three big bad soldier dudes (cardio, strength training and nutrition) against a billion tiny but very tough fat cells. In order for your army of three to fend off one pound of those nasty little fat cells each week, you have to drop a total of 3,500 calories off your roster. So, let's say you put Sergeant Cardio in charge of 900 of those calories with three 20-minute bouts of aerobic activity Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Then you bring in Lieutenant Liftsalot on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to battle an additional 1200 calories with three 45-minute strength training sessions. That leaves Captain Munchie in charge of the rest - 1,700 calories - making it easy to see why nutrition is so important.

Captain Munchie can either: 1) blow the whole thing; 2) keep things even or; 3) do his part to finish the fight by consuming the right amount of calories. It literally boils down to a difference of 300 calories a day, provided everyone else reports for duty on a regular basis. When you think of it in those terms, it's easy to see how a few missed workouts, a couple of extra beers or a generous slice of birthday cake CAN make a difference.

FOLLOW THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Rule 1.) Fight the battle Monday through Saturday and give it a rest on Sunday. On that day, eat whatever you want and do whatever you want.

Rule 2.) Try to keep things even. Fight half your battle with work, the other half with food.

Rule 3.) When any one of your three soldiers drops the ball, make the others pick it up. Two glasses of wine means an extra 20 minutes of cardio - miss a workout and you can forget about that slice of pie you've been saving up for.

So, if everyone sticks to their guns (sorry, I couldn't resist) in the next 12 weeks, you could be a whole new, leaner person! As the Marines say, Semper Fi, stay faithful, and you will emerge victorious! Now... drop and give me 20.


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