If you're trying to lose weight, let fat be your friend, not your nemesis.

That statement seems a little crazy, but there's a method to what sounds like complete madness. 

All fats aren't bad fats. The key is eating the right fat.

Before the twentieth century, fat was a sign of affluence ... good health, even. Those living in the depression era were the first to ever worry about fat and the message you conveyed by carrying extra weight.

Nowadays, the moment the word, "fat" is uttered, it's accompanied by a sneer and a turned up nose... as if merely letting the word cross your lips conjures up a disgusting odor.

We get so caught up in losing fat we forget our body actually needs fat to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K as well as helping to get those stubborn pounds off.

When it comes to the type of fat to eat, distinguishing monosaturated fats from trans fats is the crucial factor that determines whether you are feeding your body what it needs or just feeding it a load of ... well, crap.

Monosaturated fats are heart healthy fats. According to the American Heart Association, they are easy to spot because they maintain a fluid texture in room temperature conditions. Peanut oil and olive oil are two good examples of monosaturated fats you can use instead of trans fats.

Fats such as lard or butter are dead giveaways as trans (saturated) fats; they remain solid until they are exposed to heat.

Nuts and avocados also contain monosaturated fats, but you'll want to get in the habit of checking the ingredient deck of your foods as many foods have more than one type of fat in their makeup.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests, adopting a Mediterranean diet, which is plant-based with nuts, beans, fruits and olive oil -- all characteristic of healthy fats -- is the way to losing weight ... and keeping it off -- for good.

Why? These good fats actually help burn the bad fats off. The good fats also help lower your cholesterol, which makes you less susceptible to heart disease and/or stroke -- these are all benefits to enjoy instead of avoid.