Let's get it started

Many people use the New Year as the starting point for their weight-loss efforts, but getting going can be tough. Of course, joining The Best Life is a great first step. And in the meantime, you can use these tips to get a jump on the journey to a healthier, slimmer you! Make a list. Jot down all the reasons why you want to lose weight and how it can improve your life. Focusing on doing something positive for yourself is an important step toward self-acceptance, and it will help motivate you to follow through. Set a realistic weight-loss goal. It can take months or even years to put on 20 pounds, so it's unrealistic to expect to lose it in a few weeks. Try setting an interim goal of 10 pounds, and when you reach that, set a new one; do this until you reach your target weight. Be aware of diet saboteurs. Make things a little easier by steering clear of all the things that can derail your weight-loss efforts. For example, avoid your favorite restaurant where you used to have all-you-can-eat fests. Start slowly. Pick a few healthy habits to work on, and once you've mastered them, move on to the next bunch. For example, during the first week, have breakfast everyday. For the second week, try to walk or do some activity for 10 minutes a day. Don't add new behaviors until you're ready.

By Tracy Olgeaty Gensler, M.S., R.D.

Article courtesy of Bob Greene's 'The Best Life'