Notice that we didn't say "coping" or "dealing." It's all about living. As we move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life through weight loss, there's no reason we shouldn't enjoy ourselves along the way. As the old saying goes, it's not just about the destination, it's about the journey, too. Here are some tips to help you truly live while you're changing your life.

Even as we're trying to lose weight, it helps to pay attention to our appearance, like the way we dress or the way we do our hair. It's an easy way to feel better about ourselves, and it lets others know we care about the way we look, too. Being overweight doesn't mean we have to wear sweats every day. In fact, there's some great clothing available that's affordable and stylish, in the sizes we need.

There are all kinds of physical challenges we face as overweight and obese people. But we can't let them stop us from getting the physical activity we need to achieve our goals. It takes a little effort, but we can all modify our lifestyles to incorporate more movement in our daily routines. Walking, dancing, gardening, even cleaning the house - they all help our bodies get healthy. And with a little modification, we can even exercise.

Dieting doesn't mean staying home for all your meals. In fact, with modest effort, you can find a number of restaurants that serve healthy meals that taste good, but are within your dietary restrictions, too. When you're out and about, select foods that are steamed, broiled, baked, roasted, or poached. Sautèed or stir-fried can be good, too. Go with fat-free milk rather than whole milk or cream. Leave gravy, butter, and sauces off the dishes you choose.

Before you begin any diet, make sure you know the basics, then stop by our Recipe Boards for delicious and healthy meals you can make when you're at home.

We've all been through it: as we're working to lose weight, we often let our feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness with our appearance throw us off track. Or we become obsessed with our scales and that the numbers on them seem to move so slowly. But to successfully lose weight, we've got to keep our eye on the prize. Every day that we eat better, exercise more, and stay mindful of what we do have (instead of what we don't), we're one happier day closer to living the life we want.

This isn't meant to be discouraging - just the opposite, in fact. The more we involve our friends, family, and other people like us in our efforts to change our lives, the less alone we'll feel - and the faster we'll reach our goals. The value of support simply can not be overstated. Without it, we make the tasks and commitments that lie ahead of us so much more difficult to undertake.

Start by telling everyone important to you what you plan to do. Tell them you need their support every step of the way. Let them know you're losing weight not just for your own sake, but because you want to be a part of their lives for a long, long time.

Then seek others like you. Whether you're exercising, dieting, or just looking to chat, doing it with others who know what you're going through makes all the difference in the world. And along the way, be sure to stop by our Ask A Doctor message boards for expert advice, tips, and encouragement.

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