One of the most important things to keep in mind when you try to change your lifestyle and lose weight is what obstacles there are that may block you from achieving your goals. Although these “barriers” may be a little bit different for everyone, there are some things that you can do to help push through any roadblocks you encounter along the way. Start by dealing with just two major issues and you will be better able to stay on track for the long haul.

The first thing to keep in mind is that planning is your friend. Grocery lists, strategies for how to eat well at holiday parties and thinking about how to avoid eating too much at a restaurant are just three examples of things that can help you get through the tough times. Planning ahead is so much easier than trying to muscle through a situation on sheer willpower. The other thing you can do is do your best to think long-term. Don’t think of your “diet” as something you go on and then off. Instead, welcome your new healthy eating habits as a life-long change. Adjusting your thinking in this way will help you commit to a more permanent change.