Is someone in your life — your spouse, your mother, or a friend — secretly sabotaging your efforts to lose weight and get fit? There are many reasons it happens, from their fear that you'll change if your appearance changes, to feelings of jealousy, to their wanting to avoid facing their own weight issues. But if you learn to recognize sabotage when it's happening, you'll be much less likely to let it derail you from your goal.

So, when a coworker who knows you're dieting brings home-baked cookies into the office, politely (but firmly) say no. When your spouse tries to talk you into skipping a workout to grab a burger and fries instead, offer to spend time with him or her after you exercise — doing something besides eating. And if someone makes a derogatory remark about how "You're getting a big head now that you've lost weight," chalk it up to envy, rather than letting such a negative comment get you down. The bottom line? Even if the changes you're making don't make everyone happy, give yourself permission to make them anyway! They'll make you happy, and you're worth it!

Turn idle time into exercise time! You can tone your muscles whether you're in the kitchen or in front of the TV — no sweat required!