Since our thoughts guide and influence our behaviour, it's important to focus in on those attitudes and convictions we need to possess and to chuck the ones which do us absolutely no good.

Chuck the idea of ...

Ultra fast weight loss: When we attempt to correct the results of months or years of poor fitness behaviours in a few weeks we're simply setting ourselves up to fail. Any dietary plan that promises you'll lose more than 1.5-2 pounds a week is unhealthy and unrealistic. Patience is a virtue as well as a necessity.

Finding a magical diet: A recent Consumer Reports magazine survey found that an overwhelming majority of 32,000 successfully dieters lost weight and kept if off, not through food deprivation or elimination, but through exercise and permanent healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.

Not having to work at it: There's a reason they're called "workouts." So don't buy into the it's-so-easy infomercial spins. Sweating and breathing hard will not feel "easy" and initially will even feel a bit uncomfortable. But, while getting fit is not effortless, with moderate, gradually progressive workouts, your body will adapt.

Own the fact that ...

Getting into shape takes time: Many people fail in their attempts to get fit because they want it quick, fast, and in a hurry. True fitness and lasting weight loss requires long term commitment.

You must be willing to learn, change, and adapt: The saying, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten," is very true. But, when you're willing to try new things - new cooking styles, new types of food, new forms of activity - you can accomplish new things.