Fall In Like With Exercise

I remember the first time I worked out with Oprah 15 years ago she hated it. But exercise is the reason she's been able to keep off 90-plus pounds and that's why she keeps at it. You can learn to stay motivated, too. Here's how.

Try anything, once: There are so many ways to exercise; you just have to find a couple you like. Test out a new workout DVD one week, take a kickboxing or dance class the next and keep experimenting until you find an activity you enjoy (or can at least tolerate).

Extend your errands: Give yourself an extra 5 minutes for every chore and use that time to walk the dog a little longer or to take another spin around the grocery store. This can quickly add up to 30 minutes of walking a day or more. Plus, you get the benefit of slowing down to focus on what you're doing now, instead of rushing to your next task.

Distract yourself: Pair your routine with something you love. Load your iPod with your favorite fast-paced tunes for a brisk walk, read on a stationary bike, or relish the quiet time while you're swimming laps. Can't miss your favorite television show? You don't have to lift hand weights while you watch.

Focus on your goal: In all my years, I've never met anyone who wasn't happy she exercised once she was done. So get out there. Feel your blood pump, your head clear, and that amazing and satisfying sense of accomplishment.

How To Win the Weight Loss Mind Game

If I could steal your scale, I would. You get one initial weigh-in, and then it's mine for the next month. Because I know you'll decide if you've been "good" or "bad" based on what it says, and that's not fair to you. Weight loss isn't always predictable. To stay on track, it helps to know the surprises along the way:

Surprise #1: You might gain before you lose

This is especially true if your first step toward losing weight is increasing your daily activity, an approach I always recommend to beginners. One reason is that exercise spurs your muscles to store carbs as fuel reserves like putting money in the bank.

Every stored gram of carbohydrate (otherwise known as glycogen) carries a few grams of water, and that additional fluid could help send the scale north by a few pounds. But the more muscle you build, the more efficient your metabolism gets. Four or five weeks into your exercise routine, the weight starts to come off.

Surprise #2: You may not lose every week

Sincere efforts should be rewarded with a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week. Some weeks, that happens; others, the scale stalls. As you lose fat, your body may put on the brakes to protect you from losing too much too fast. No worries the scale should soon resume its journey south without extra persuasion. But if it stays stuck for 3 weeks or more, step up your exercise to boost your metabolism or try new ways to cut calories. Any plateau is a chance for you to change something that will lead to even more weight loss later.