One Step at a Time

A main reason so many people "fail" or give up on dieting is because they "bite off more than they can chew" (forgive the pun).

When you set a laundry list of lofty goals  you set yourself up for failure.

Making the move to live a healthier, more active life CAN be done, and with much less difficulty than many people think.  The key is setting a main goal, with several "mini" goals to reach before getting there. This will provide you with ongoing incentive and the chance to SEE progress in a shorter amount of time. That is what fuels the desire to keep going–progress.

I always recommend that the first step be to write it down. Write EVERYTHING down. What you eat, what you do, and how you feel throughout the day.  Do this BEFORE you make a concerted effort to change anything. 
Then, pick two "mini" goals for the first week. Do one that is fitness/activity-related, and one that is food-related. For example, make it a goal to cut down on the soda consumption or to replace one snack per day with a fruit.  The fitness focus goal can be something as simple as putting the laundry away in several trips. While it might seem inefficient, taking the kids' clothes up on the first trip, followed by the linens, and then ending w/ the spouse's clothes, it will get you moving more. If you live in a house with stairs, this is an especially beneficial "time waster" (if that is how you see it; although that will hopefully change).  Those three extra minutes (if that) are FAR outweighed by those extra steps you took and the benefits that you will gain as a result–increased stamina, toned legs, and a few steps closer to the recommended 10,000 per day.

See, making the change to live a healthier, more active life CAN be done, and is much easier than you think.

You just need to take it one step at a time :)