Don't Overhaul Your Entire Diet
Instead, focus on making small, modest changes in the way you live. But rest assured, these baby steps can be powerful- for instance, did you know that by eating just 100 calories less a day you could lose 10 pounds over the course of one year? That's just 1/3 of a candy bar or a piece of bread. Remember, replacing foods that already exist in your diet with low-fat, low-calorie versions is a good way to make modest changes -However, dieting is not a license to eat additional low-fat, low-calorie foods.

Weight Loss Shouldn't Monopolize Your Entire Day
Whether it's late night snacking, midday munchies, or eating while preparing dinner-You need to devise a plan for these "trigger times." This way you don't need to stress about weight-loss all day, just devise a plan of action for these specific weak points. For instance, if you know you head to the fridge every night after work, develop and rehearse a new plan in your head, such as taking pottery class right after work or having a variety of healthy snacks already prepared for when you get home. Figuring out what you're going to do during these "trigger times" prevents a significant portion of high-calorie, high fat eating-such as unconsciously grazing or consuming a box of cookies while talking on the phone or watching TV.

Use Visualization as a Motivator To Get Through The Rough Times-Create a "Life Preserver"
When it's fast food time and french fries are screaming your name louder than your kids are, a craving overwhelms you, or you just feel tempted, use visualization as a motivator. Develop a clear mental image of yourself, as a slimmer, healthier you-meeting an ex-husband at the mall after you've lost 20 pounds; or going to your doctor's office for your spring check up and finding out your blood pressure and cholesterol are perfect. Think of every detail of these future moments and reflect on these "Life Preservers" to help you get through the tough times or when you feel like you're losing sight of your goals.

Become an Excuse Buster-Find a Plan B
Spring is the perfect time to clean out your emotional closet, which is full of all your excuses for why you don't do the things you want to do to achieve your goals. Dig out these excuses, and become an Excuse Buster by using Plan B's to blast your typical excuses. If your favorite excuse is to avoid exercising when it's raining out, your Plan B would be to do a video in your living room. With Plan B's, you're prepared to squash your excuses - before they squash your goals!

Be Responsible for What You Eat
Many people who are trying to lose or maintain their weight often underreport the amount of calories they consume. (In fact a Diet Detective survey showed that approximately 80% of those dieting were underreporting their daily calorie intake -- some by as much as 1000 calories per day.) Start paying attention to your unconscious eating habits -- at the television or the computer, in the car, while you're cooking or cleaning up -- and focus on consciously enjoying the foods you eat, while being aware of the calories you consume.

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