When it comes to getting fit, are you your own worst enemy? Are you an "I would, but..." person? That is to say, do you find yourself thinking "I would go to the gym, but I'm too busy"? Or, "I would stick to my diet, but the cafeteria doesn't serve healthy choices"? If this sounds like you, it's time for an attitude adjustment. Although it seems like the buts are out of our control, they're really nothing more than excuses we make up in our heads. If you sit down and think about the buts stopping you from reaching your diet and fitness goals, you'll realize they're completely possible to overcome.

And luckily, getting past the buts and out of your own way is easier than you think. Get started by trying this exercise that Heidi Michaels, a certified life coach (or "motivational specialist"), uses to help her clients get through their roadblocks. The first step is simple: List your goal. Next, list all the reasons why you have been unable to reach your goal (this is where your buts belong). Put down everything that's stopping you, no matter how tiny or silly it looks on paper. Now, take each obstacle and brainstorm eight ways you can work around it. These ideas don't have to be practical or even realistic‑-anything goes! For example, you could list, "I could quit my job so I would have plenty of time to work out." For now, being realistic isn't important. What is important is listing at least eight ideas. When you're done, look over your solutions. Chances are that some of them will actually make sense.