“You workout three times a week but it is putting pressure on your schedule with your family. Here's how to get over the guilt.”

After work you worked out. When you walked in the door you quickly make dinner (an hour later than usual). They don't say anything, but you're certain they resent you for being so selfish. Brace yourself - here comes the guilt trip. You quit working out and the next day dinner is back on schedule...then you spend the next 20 minutes trying to get your son off his bike and your husband away from the computer long enough to eat it. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. The world won't come to a screeching halt if we aren't there to run everything. Talk to your family. Ask them if this time works for you to get your workout in. Chances are you'll come up with a plan that works for all, and you can get your workout in - free from guilt

“You've been eating low-cal, low-carb, and low-fat but still the weight isn't falling off or you just can't stand the food anymore. Here's the low-down on low-food.”

When embarking on a new life plan of eating better and treating our bodies with some respect, it seems like there's nothing to eat. Worse yet, we switch our junk food for what we perceive to be health food. Many low-whatever cereal bars, rice cakes, reduced-something chips or cookies, and chemically sweetened drinks are not only unappealing, they are nutritionally deficient. Additionally, while they may be low in one area, they often make up in another health-zapping area: sodium, sugar, or fat may be increased. These choices probably won't fill you up, satisfy you, or make you healthy. Stop wasting calories on these low-foods. Instead, get real. The more unprocessed the foods, the better they are for you. Eat whole grains, plenty of veggies and fruit, good proteins like fish and chicken, and nuts. Start with a good palette of truly healthy foods as a base for your diet and ditch the "low" mentality.

“You've been waiting to feel 100% again so you could work out. Here's why you're going to start when your only at 80%.”

Sorry to say, you may be at the Pearly Gates before you feel 100% again. As time goes on, aches and pains seem to be a part of daily life for many. If you've had a major injury, make sure your doctor gives you a green light before you start to workout again, but for some issues, you just need to work around the problem. Chances are, exercising will make the condition better, not worse, and will prevent a host of other problems from setting in, plus you'll be amazed at what it will do to boost your morale.

“You know you need to take better care of your health. You keep waiting for some motivation. Here's your ton of bricks.”

Exactly what are you waiting for? Heart attack, diagnosis of diabetes, for the scale to actually break when you step on it? You're going to have to find the motivation inside of you. You have to decide that THIS is the moment. Not tomorrow, not next week, not next month, and not the next time you DON'T have leftover cake in the house. Make a list of how your life will be better if you do make some healthy changes. Make another list of how your life will likely be if you don't make changes. Pick the list you can LIVE with.

“If you need a pair of binoculars to see your goals completed, here's how to break some tape now. ”

When you were a kid, if Christmas were the only celebration of the year, it would be almost unbearable to wait for it. But, with Easter, your birthday, a few fireworks, and pumpkin carving, you get pretty close before you really start drooling over it. The same works wonders for your health and fitness goals. It's okay to have more than one goal at a time. You can make your long term goal like "lose 50 lbs by the time I turn 50," but take the pressure off with a few shorter term goals. Maybe a one year goal of 25 lbs off, and even a weekly or monthly goal to shoot for. By focusing on more attainable "mini" goals, you'll more successfully move closer to the big celebration for your final goal.