“You just started a new diet and they claim you don't really need to exercise to lose weight. Here's the warm, fuzzy truth.”

If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. So, technically, you can lose weight without exercise. But, here's the good news: you can lose more weight AND you'll be healthier if you DO exercise. Since only eating and exercising turn on your metabolism to burn fat, just eating less isn't the best solution. Pair a good eating plan WITH a good workout plan and you'll have the right formula for success. Remember, "dieting" may make you thinner, but it won't tone your muscles, give you stamina, or improve the whole you.

“You want to eat healthier but your family wants their old favorites. Here's how to comfort them.”

Comfort foods don't have to be banished from your menu - at least not completely. You may not eat them quite as often, however, when the family is clamoring for their old favorites, you can take it on as a challenge. Be creative by making swaps they may not even notice. Try low-fat cheeses in lasagna, reduce the amount of butter in mac-n-cheese, replace some of the fat in cakes with applesauce, and use olive oil instead of butter for hash browns. Even eliminating a few calories, saturated fat, or excess carbs can make a difference in your waistline without altering the taste of family faves.

“You feel really motivated and you're excited about all the possibilities. Here's how to cash in before you cash out.”

We all know that, like money, motivation comes and motivation goes. Embarking on something new, learning about something exciting, and realizing that things are possible for you is exciting. While all that excitement is empowering, unless you take the reigns and giddy-up your motivation could be all for nothing. Take motivation as a kick in the pants and "do" instead of simply dream, plan, or reflect. Once you get some work under your belt, you're far more likely to continue as results of motivation breed future motivation.

“You plan to work out after work but you just want to chill. Here's how to heat things up.”

It's a fact that if you're burned out, you will pick the easiest choice available - good or bad, easy is what you'll go for. So, if you're typically used up and worn out after work, planning a workout then isn't going to work. You're more likely to hit the drive through and eat your easy meal doing something low-key like watching TV. Instead, plan your meal ahead (have salad fixin's ready to go in the fridge, or put something in the crock pot in the morning). Go home, eat your dinner and veg for a bit. Once you've recharged, then head to the club and you'll be ready to give 100% again.

“You want to break out of your shell to have a renewed life. Here's how to make a serious crack.”

Changing your life is easier said then done, but you can do it. Once you've defined problem areas that need addressing, making a plan and starting slowly may be the difference between success and failure. You need time to make sure changes fit your lifestyle. For example, you may try to schedule your work out after work with the idea you'll go home to make a healthy dinner for you or your family. If you find you are completely spent after your workout, caving into the lure of more convenient (and unhealthy) foods may happen too often. You need to have the flexibility to regroup. Perhaps that isn't the best time to workout, or maybe you need to prepare dinners ahead or get someone else in the family to handle dinner. Breaking out of your old life and into a new one takes work. By working around obstacles, you'll be able to battle your way through that tough shell.