What's the most important step to changing your lifestyle for a lifelong program of leanness, fitness, right eating practices and wellness? Clearly define your goals.

Make a list of your reasons for the lifestyle shift, then list your health goals. Be specific because vague goals will only waste your time and energy, sending you off in different directions.

Here are some points that were helpful in achieving my goals.

Make your goals realistic. It's not important who else believes in your goals-it's only critical for you to believe in them. Otherwise, they'll never happen.

Redefine your comfort zone. We all have some difficulty getting used to new behaviors.

I found that it usually takes 6 to 12 weeks for most of us to move from the uncomfortable to the comfortable zone. By 12 weeks, just about everyone wonders how s/he ever got through a day without exercising or eating right.

Make your goals an integral part of your subconscious. Every morning write down what you want to accomplish that day; it reinforces your subconscious and makes it a partner with your healthy aging quest.

Vocalize your goals several times throughout the day and/ or record them and play the tape back often.

Use visual imaging at night while in bed to imagine what you want to look and feel like to attain your goals.

Update your goals constantly. Once you reach a goal, choose a new one so you stay challenged and energized.

Develop self-discipline. A lack of discipline has played a major role in our obesity epidemic as well as ever-increasing diabetes and other degenerative diseases. Take control of your mind so you can control your emotions and desires. It takes time and practice, but is well worth the effort.

Focus on success, avoid negativity. Never think in terms of failure, center on your successes and keep self-talk positive. Avoid negative people-they convey messages that can slowly influence your subconscious and sabotage your health/ fitness efforts.