Strive to Eat a Balance Diet. A healthy, balanced diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low fat dairy products. These foods have the nutrients you need for health including potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber.

Cut Back on Foods High in Saturated Fats, Added Sugars, and Salt. They include cakes, cookies, ice cream, candies, sweetened drinks, pizza, and fatty meats like ribs, sausages, bacon, and hot dogs. Use these foods as occasional treats, not everyday foods.

Eat Smaller Portions. A helpful aid is to use a smaller plate, bowl, and glass. Likewise, if you portion out your foods before you eat, you’re less likely to eat too much or some cases, too little of something.

Understand Fats, Proteins & Carbohydrates. We all need fats, proteins & carbohydrates. If we neglect to balance these essential macronutrients – we set ourselves up for failure.

Understand Nutrition Facts. Knowing the nutrition facts on products is half the battle. For not all products are the same. Some are loaded with too much fats, sugars, sodium or calories. This topic will make for an excellent upcoming blog.

Choose Water Over Sweetened Drinks. A sure way to cut calories is by drinking water or unsweetened beverages. Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are a major source of added sugar, and calories.

Be Active. Being physically active also helps you balance calories. Keep moving. Choose a physical activity that you enjoy. I personally enjoy running and strength training. But not everyone likes the same things.

Have Goals. Written, well thought out goals provide purpose and direction; it’s a road map to where you’re going. It provides real time indicators of progress and helps you stay on course; likewise, it can be a quite the motivator to see your plan in action.

Manage Stress. Stress is not necessarily bad but knowing how to manage it is the key. Therefore, have a plan to manage stress in your life, and a proven way to do that is through being physically active.

Have a Support Team. This is probably the most important element in improving your life. It’s one thing to know what to do and to try to make those healthy changes, but having someone on your side to make it all possible is what will make or break you. None of us can do it alone! So find the support you need that will keep you accountable and motivated.