Being the healthies and fittest verision of yourself  isn't about depriving yourself of calories. Consider what else you can do to help with weight management. Did you develop a daily practice? Getting a good night sleep? Engaging in other stress-reducing activities? Stress is not your friend when you are trying to shed some pounds or inches, because it results in increased levels of the hormone, cortisol, which results in increased carb cravings.

Setting unrealistic goals will only result in disappointment and may cause you to give up on your journey. If your goal involves pounds lost, one to two pounds weekly is a reasonable weight loss goal.

For instance, you might want to fit into a particular article of clothing that has historically been too tight. Or maybe you want to keep up with your dog when you're out for a brisk walk – without getting winded. Goals focused around healthy living are more sustainable than those driven only by weight loss.

The more exercise becomes part of your daily practice, the easier it will be to get it done. If you have time, exercise first thing in the morning before you have time to come up with excuses not to do it. Laying out your exercise clothes the night before can be a very helpful morning motivation.

Healthy eating doesn't have to be boring – mixing up your meals is a big component to sticking with your program.

As you embark on your journey to becom the healthiest and fittest version of you, be mindful of changes that you would feel comfortable about continuing as a lifestyle. The problem with most diet fads is that they simply aren't sustainable for the average person. Maintaining a balanced diet of healthy whole foods while still enjoying some of your favorites will make you more likely to stick with your new lifestyle long-term.

if you know you can't give up your morning latte, then try having it with non-fat milk and no flavoring. It might seem boring at first but in a few weeks, the old flavored latte would probably taste way too sweet. Once your taste buds get used to not having artificial sweeteners, naturally sweet foods will taste even sweeter.

This is probably the most important tip for success. Even if your family is not going to participate on healthy living journey. Be sure they are supportive and not trying to coerce you into going out for pizza or ice cream every night. If you have a family member or friend who will be participating in on your journey with you, so much the better. You can give each other encouragement and hold each other accountable.

Creating and maintaining healthy eating habits doesn’t have to be hard. If you start by integrating small changes into your daily habits, you can make a big impact on your eating pattern and develop sustainable healthy eating habits to get started on your journey.

There's no time like the present.