It might not be willpower holding you back from cutting the fat you so desperately want to lose. It may be your environment. Check out these eight big fat traps. Could they be what ails you?

Food, Food, Everywhere. Everywhere you turn, there's a food counter. Malls, gas stations, Target. My new Super Wal-Mart even has its own built-in McDonald's.

Bulk Buying. When we buy food in bulk, we eat twice as much in the first eight days. Only when quantities shrink to normal sizes do we slow our consumption.

Salting and Sweetening. Salt is often added to sweet products, and sugar to salty products. Science says this makes it harder to stop eating.

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Stress is a hot topic at Woman's Day magazine this month. Hey, the magazine's motto is "Live Well Every Day" after all. Makes sense that stress is a non-negotiable for the WD crew. So it goes for Woman's Day readers who share what they've given up to be less stressed. Here's how they're living a more peaceful life.

• One reader gave up checking e-mails at home. Spending all day at work on the computer was enough.

• Another smart cookie doesn't provide all the food for parties anymore. She offers the pleasant environment. Guests bring the food.
  

• A professional woman who travels a lot for work gave up blow drying and curling her hair. Now she packs less and saves bunches of morning time. A good haircut that needs minimal attention saved her.

• Ditch the high maintenance clothing, says one reader. Building a wardrobe of wash-and-wear knits and cotton blends makes life much easier.

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