Most Americans have been on a diet at some time in their life. It is no wonder, considering that today more than 50 percent of Americans are overweight in the United States. You may ask how it has gotten to this point. Is it lack of time and too much stress that cause poor eating and exercise habits? Is it lack of knowledge? In today's high-tech world, we are bombarded by information. Maybe there is too much information or too much hype?

There is more to weight management than just losing weight. It is about getting healthy, and in most cases from the inside out. Most people don't lose weight because they don't know how to - they fail because they don't know how to stay motivated to maintain their new healthy lifestyle. Ask yourself how many diets you have been on. Practicing healthy living is about taking care of ourselves, so we need to first start with our attitudes about ourselves - mind over matter.

We must become "self-empowered." This will bring about the qualities of strength, commitment and power to create and maintain our healthy lifestyle. For most, you will need to rely on your own heart, intelligence and courage more than the food and exercise plans.

Ask yourself some of these simple questions before you decide you want change:

1. Why do I want this change?
2. Who am I doing this for?
3. How will this change help me?
4. What is it going to take to have this change?

You must first decide that you are doing this for yourself. If you are trying to lose weight, for example, because your friends are, than you will probably not have long-term success. If you know that you want this for you and not for someone else, you will have more empowerment to succeed.

Learn to accept yourself. Realize that efforts founded on a negative state of mind many times leads to negative results. Researchers tell us that one of the most important ingredients for bringing about true behavior change is feeling good about ourselves and practice self-acceptance. It clearly sets the stage for behavior change, and provides the foundation to make gradual changes.

For many, successful change is gradual change. Starting an exercise program and eating healthier are much easier to swallow if they are taken gradually. Taking it slowly will not bring this negative cloud around these changes. And when there is negativity surrounding, this many times leads us to failure.

Determine your self worth and your values. Ask yourself, "Do I place a high value on taking good care of myself?" You must decide that you deserve to be cared for in the best possible way.

After you determine your self worth and your values, educate yourself on how you are going to get the change(s). There is so much information available today on eating healthy, starting an exercise program, managing stress, etc. Make sure they are reputable sources and remember to always talk with your doctor before starting any exercise or eating plan.

Once you are on your way toward a healthier lifestyle, here are a few basic thoughts:

1. There will be bumps in the road, hang tough and stay in the game.
2. Successful change is gradual change.
3. Set realistic goals for yourself.
4. Practice patience!
5. Replace the old beliefs with the new ones, and stop negative self-talk, before it stops you.
6. Learn to accept yourself.
7. Don't look back.

One of the many rewards of self-acceptance is that once you learn to accept yourself, you will find it easier to accept others. You will end up being a nicer person and find it much more rewarding, and you will carry less stress.

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