10 Suggestions to help in Lifestyle Change

I'm a relative newbie, and don't have all the answers by any means, but here are some thoughts I have had since I started the journey to live a helthier lifestyle, featuring weight loss. Comments welcome and please let me know if I'm way off base!

1) You are not on a diet anymore than anyone else is on a diet. Most likely your diet will feature weight reduction, but there can be other goals as well.

2) The scale doesn't rule your life. If you didn't lose as much (or even gained) it doesn't make your goal impossible. There are fluctuations due to water retention, hormones, the time of day and variations between scales.

3) Your goal weight is a goal. You are not going to lose all the weight you want to lose in a day, or week, or month.

4) Nothing goes in a straight line. If you lose five pounds one week, you shouldn't expect to lose five every week.

5) Don't compare your progess to someone else. You and your metabolism are unique to you.

6) Don't give up! We all have bad days. Some of us have bad months, years and decades.

7) Reward the positives.

8) Change your lifestyle in a way that you can maintain.

9) Exercise is your friend, but don't overdo it. If it really hurts more than burns, maybe you can dial it down a bit.

10) Since I'm watching the Olympic closing ceremonies--"Look on the bright side of life".