The beginning of a diet is often the time when we make promises to ourselves and others about how we will eat and exercise to cause the weight loss we have always dreamed of. We assure everyone that this time will be different and this time we will commit to just what it takes to lose weight. But do we keep that commitment going with a calories loss diet and exercise or do we resume the wrong eating habits and lifestyle and fail to lose any weight or worse still gain it instead?

The truth is that this does happen more often than we would like because dieting is tough sometimes and making changes to our lifestyle can be tough too. If you want the changes you make to your eating habits and exercise to be effective over the long term, you will need to commit seriously to making sure that this happens. Looking great and feeling healthy always starts with a genuine commitment to this goal through a calories loss diet and daily exercise.

Do not just tell yourself it is time to get healthy; instead make a physical gesture to show that you are committed to staying on that calories loss diet and making healthy other important changes to your lifestyle. If that sounds silly to you, it should not because people of all kinds even those in political office like Senator McCain and Senator Obama use all kinds of physical symbols to show their commitment to important matters. Rings, tattoos, ceremonies, even certificates and trophies are signs of commitment so you need a physical sign of commitment to mark the start of your diet.

There are some fun ways to make a commitment to become healthier, happier, and fit by losing weight so begin positively and write it down, making a weight loss contract and committing to stay on your diet for at least six months. Include in the contract, rewards for staying committed and penalties for breaking the contract. Then sign it, have a friend witness it then keep it on the refrigerator to remind you of your commitment.

Include a personal trainer on your payroll and see what a financial commitment like this and or even joining a gym can bring about. Not only will this find you committing to regular exercise times and programs but you will be contributing your hard earned money to turning your 'dream' into a reality. There is nothing like 'hitting the back pocket' to make us rise to a level of commitment, not previously reached in our pursuit of weight loss and fitness.

Set up a weight loss group where the prime objective of each member is to support each other as they lose weight and this will reflect your commitment and enable the same for others. So get a group started amongst those who have said they want to lose weight and allow everyone the opportunity to encourage and keep each other committed. This is the way the best weight loss clinics operate and is worth copying in your own way.

You do not need to take out a front page advertisement in national papers but real commitment to a permanent lifestyle change and healthier body becomes more powerful when you share this with your friends, family and workmates. The outcome of this is generally very encouraging and you can anticipate interest in your calories loss menu and your exercise routine. After sharing your commitment with the people in your life whose opinion you value, it is more likely that you will remain committed for yourself and for them.

Have a clear mental 'picture' of how you plan to look when you have reached your goal weight. Find pictures in magazines of the new 'look' you are working towards and display them at home and in your workplace. This very public way of committing to a healthy weight loss for good through calories loss and exercise is very public commitment at the beginning of your diet and an effective motivator to keep you strong and resilient even when times get tough.