Start investing in your health today. Take control of your food choices, get physically active and get on the road to a healthful lifestyle -- for a lifetime.

Make lifestyle changes with a friend or family member. A partner increases the enjoyment factor of physical activity and healthful eating.

Enlist support. Family and friends can help you stay on track. Those who have the support of family members, particularly a spouse, are more likely to manage their weight successfully.

Please yourself. Remember the most important reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle is you.

Set realistic goals. Start with your current weight, not where you want to be. Make short-term, attainable goals. For example, the challenge of losing five pounds at a time seems more do-able than losing 25 pounds. Like any project, going little by little isn't as overwhelming, and it's healthier.

Track your progress over time. Avoid the urge to step onto the scale every day. Once a week is often enough. Since weight fluctuates from day to day due to fluid loss and retention, you may not get a true picture if you weigh yourself too frequently.

Celebrate any success. Weight loss doesn't need to be an all-or-nothing venture. Even small changes can make a difference in your health and reduce your risk for disease.

Move it to lose it. A physically active lifestyle offers many rewards -- from heart health to strong bones to stress relief, plus many other benefits.

Enjoy how good your healthy weight feels. You may reward yourself with a new garment, a bouquet of flowers, a new music CD, or a special outing. Still there's no greater motivation than knowing you're in control and caring for you.

Expect to be successful. Reaching life's goals is often a self-fulfilling prophecy. Positive self-talk and an enthusiastic approach to a healthful lifestyle set you up for success.

Get started today

If you really want to change your lifestyle, you can do it! Don't get overwhelmed -- make changes slowly. Eating healthfully and getting regular physical activity will only make you feel better.