So youve started youre new way of eating! Congratulations. Perhaps you dont always eat the right foods, but each week you make a conscious effort to adjust your eating behavior. You have realized that progress is better than perfection. If you havent quite got it yet, hang in there, itll happen. These next five steps are going be a big help!

6) Commit to the Long Haul.

If you havent already done so, you need to commit in your mind that you are going to stick to this new life forever. Its the new you and it makes you happy. When you were eating whatever you wanted were you happy? So how can giving up and eating those old nasty foods that led you to where you were be a good thing? Commit to the long haul and you will learn the greatest secret to success with weight loss. (And anything else for that matter)

* When Failure is not an option, success is inevitable.

When you grasp that, you begin to see that your weight loss adventure is a journey through hills, valleys, trees, mountains, and even past a few doughnut shops, but it will work out as long as you keep on walking. Speaking of walking

7) Get Moving (Exercise)

The late great Dr. Atkins said that if he could invent any pill in the world, he would invent a pill that makes people exercise. All Doctors, scientists, and gym teachers agree: Exercise is an important part of any healthy life strategy.

WARNING: DO NOT BEGIN TO EXERCISE UNTIL YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR EATING HABITS, DOING SO MAY CAUSE YOU TO STRESS OUT AND QUIT BOTH.

I recommend you have 2 or 3 weeks of eating right under your belt until you begin exercising. That way youve already adjusted your lifestyle and exercising wont be such a shock, itll be the next logical step in your journey.

Exercise breaks into two main categories:

Cardio and Weight Training

Do a Google Search for either of those terms to learn more about them. The how-to's of each is out of the scope of this article. There are lots of great articles on this site too that you can read as well.

Both Cardio and Weight Training are important and vital to healthy living. I suggest you join a gym or get some free weights and a treadmill. I lift weights 3 times a week and do cardio 3 times a week. I also attempt to play sports at least 1 night a week if not 2. Racquetball has become one of my new favorite past times, you should play it sometime, trust me, its a lot of fun! If you think you cant afford a gym you can at least begin by jumping rope, walking around the block, always taking the stairs, jumping on a trampoline, etc. Doing anything is better than doing nothing.

8) Dont Be Afraid To Eat Out.

If you ate out before you began your new eating habits, odds are youll still want to eat out. So whats the best thing to do? Keep on eating out by all means! If you dont youll never make it. When you go out opt for salads, chicken, and no fried foods. I didnt say it was gonna be easy, but it is very possible. When I eat out I usually have Caesar salads, fajitas with no tortilla, pizza toppings, chicken breast, and other fine low Carb foods. I made sure I could eat foods I like when I picked my new eating style, so make sure you do the same!

9) Find A Partner

Everything is easier when you have someone else helping you. Find someone to join you in your eating plan and find someone to go to the gym with you, or to go with you on a walk. Its much better to have someone else you can talk to and that can hold you accountable. You and your accountability partner can keep each other in check and if either of you is feeling down, you can inspire each other by your actions and positive words.

10) Grow As You Go, or Die If You Dont Try.

Always remember its a gradual process. Getting to your goal weight will happen when you commit to it happening. If you wont quit, then eventually, no matter what, you will see that magical number on the scale youve been aiming for. Dont get discouraged! See each day as a new opportunity to work towards your goal. When you weigh in each week, take into account muscle mass, water, and what time of day you weigh. Its best to weigh in wearing the same clothes at the same time on the same day of the week. No matter what happens from week to week, promise yourself youre going to keep on going.

Success comes to those who dont see failure as an option. Your weight each week isnt a sign of success or failure, its only a tool for determining what to change, keep, or fix. The best sign of weight loss is your clothes. As you stay with your new eating plan, your clothes will feel looser. So look forward to buying new clothes! Just make sure they fit the new you