“You're eating better and exercising (gold stars for you!), but you're wondering what else you can do to improve your health. Here's how to embrace all there is.”

While exercising and eating right are unmatched at keeping you healthy, you could add some other things to your life. Love and laughter are two biggies. There's proof that people in love get sick a lot less. Showing love (or friendship) by simply hugging stimulates your well-being and de-stresses you. They've always said, "Laughter is the best medicine." The truth is laughing may keep you from needing any drugs because it boosts your immune system. The best part is, hugs and laughter are free - so soak 'em up until you're silly.

“Today you want to eat everything in sight. Here's how to just say no:”

Someone once said, "Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself." Was this person trying to lose weight? It's an unknown, but it certainly fits doesn't it? Why do we lose our self-respect so quickly? We live for the moment all too often. That's how we got up to our current weight, eh? Which do we want more: a cupcake or to lose 10 pounds? The cupcake is available to us now, the 10 pounds we have to wait for, to earn. Like a small child we kick our feet against our willpower and whine, "I want it now, now, now!" Gain your self-respect. The next time you have the urge to satisfy today's cravings in lieu of tomorrow's weight loss, put your shoes on and go for a jog or go for a walk. Or, call your girlfriend for an impromptu visit to the gym. You know who you'll have to answer to later if you don't see the scale! Pretty scary. Discipline yourself early. Just say no!

“Do you feel like you just can't achieve your goals? It's time to clear your mind of can't”

"I can't lose weight. I've never been able to stick to a diet. I have a bad back so I can't really work out much." If you've said these things (or similar) before, you may be your own worst enemy. Starting today, clear your mind of "can't." Think about it. There are probably very few real cant's. Someone with no legs might be justified by saying, "I can't walk." But with prosthetic legs that wouldn't even be true. The truth may simply be you don't want to. It may be difficult for you to do something, but that's not a can't. Helen Keller once wrote, "I am not everybody, but I am somebody. I can't do everything, but I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." You are somebody who can. Focus on your "can do's" and see what happens.

“Pessimism never won any battle. Shield your eyes, here's how to look on the bright side:”

What goes through your mind when you think about yourself, your health and fitness efforts, and your successes? Are they criticisms in disguise or full-throttle accolades? For instance, do you think, "I only lost one pound this month," or do you think, "One step closer to my goals!" Do you think, "I still have so far to go," or do you think, "I'm already feeling better and looking better." Being negative is all too easy and it has no up side, and really, do you have time for it? You've got a positive life to lead. Instead of listening to negative thoughts, kick 'em to the curb. Immediately replace them with good thoughts, productive thoughts, and happy thoughts. You do have control over what thoughts you allow in your noggin. If being negative hasn't achieved good results in the past, it's time to try something different. Take a big dose of a positive attitude and see where that gets you

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Here's how to not make it permanent:”

When the holidays come, the temptations may be more than you can handle. Over indulgence at a get-together, busy schedules, celebrations, picnics and bags of holiday treats can tax your willpower beyond their limits. It doesn't make you a failure because you partake of holiday festivities now and again. Just don't lose sight of your goals. Do what you can during the holidays. You're only a failure if you completely give up after you give in. If you know there's just no way you can (or want to) avoid the holiday goodies on a particular day, give yourself permission. But, make a conscious effort to get in a few good days afterward where you are sticking with your regular regimen. Once over you can think back with a smile instead of regret.