1) Pay attention to food labels - This can get annoying, but you gotta do it! Knowing what you are putting in your body is half the battle. Pay close attention to the calorie count, fat content and what serving size they are using. You will get used to doing this and it will become part of your routine. It's easy to do and makes a huge difference in your diet.

2) Tell your family and friends - You want the people around you to be aware of your goals and what you are trying to accomplish. The last thing you want is to come home from the gym and see that they have prepared a special meal for you of deep fried chicken, french fries followed by a banana split sundae! By letting them know of your efforts, they can show their support and be concious of what you are going through. You may even find that they end up being helpful or maybe even turn around and set some of their own goals to improve their own health. Living a healthy life can be contagious!

3) Get snappy happy! Get before and after photos - This the perfect way for you to see your efforts paying off. Often people don't realize the changes they have made since you get to see yourself slowly change everyday. However, if you look a "before" picture of yourself, you are more likely to see some changes and stay motivated. Take a new picture every two weeks or so. When you start seeing the differences, it will make all your work seem worth it. You can do it!

4) Choose your exercise - I hate jogging. I just have never liked it. Other people love it. The point is, different exercises work better for different people. Find the exercises that you enjoy and make them a part of your routine. It's human nature to avoid things we don't like - so don't pick out the exercises that you hate! Find a couple that work for you and stick to it. Also, look for ways to make the time pass. For me, I always have my ipod on. It makes the time go by a lot quicker!

5) Make realistic goals for Yourself - Losing 60 pounds in two weeks for your vacation just isn't going to happen. Don't set yourself up for disappointment by setting your goals far too high. Motivation is key to keeping up with a program - if you make your goals unreachable then you will be upset when you don't meet them. Take a look at the Weight Loss Plans section to find out about getting on a program that will get you great results and let you know when to expect them.

6) Pay attention to yourself, not others - Comparing yourself to other people isn't a good idea. Remember - every body is different. I couldn't become Mr. Oympia if I wanted to because my body isn't designed that way. But I can make sure that I am treating my body well and training it to become the best it can. People react differently to exercise - some lose weight quickly, some pack on the muscle easilt - it all depends on the person. Just make sure you are sticking to your routine and working hard. The results will follow!

7) Say goodbye to Ronald McDonald! - Well, truthfully you don't have to completely eliminate fast food, but it shouldn't be a staple of your diet. It's fast, easy and extremely unhealthy! What you put in your body makes all the difference - highly processed garbage like what you find at most fast food places will set you back. Listen, even I have a weakness (I love Big Macs!) but I try to not to "cheat" more than once every two weeks or so. Remember, it's all about moderation. You don't have to completely avoid junk food, but make healthy choices the main part of your diet.

8) Don't go overboard - You definately want to work hard - your body will thank you! But don't push yourself so hard that you hurt yourself. I have seen many cases of injuries and also people hurt themselves by noting eating enough. Make sure that your exercise plan is realistic and that you eat a well balanced diet that gives your body the energy it needs.

9) This might sound weird, but eat often! - Eating 5 or 6 small meals a day is a great way to keep yourselve feeling satisfied and giving your body the nutrition it needs. It also helps to make your metabolism work at its best. Now 5 or 6 meals doesn't mean you sit down to a three course dinner each time - some of these may be more like "snacks". Who would have thought that eating more often could help you lose weight?

10) Water you doing today? - You want to make sure you are well hydrated - your body will thank you. And soda doesn't count! Water actually naturally supresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize fat. Even better, stuides have shown that a decrease in water consumption can cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water can actually reduce fat deposits. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water each day - and don't feel bad if you go over that number! You might spend a few more minutes each day in the washroom;) - but it's worth it!