No matter what you try to accomplish in life, there will always be people that will try to drag you down. Maybe they're jealous, or insecure. But whatever the reason, you don't need their negativity. Cut 'em loose. Try instead to surround yourself with positive people. People who will support your choice to try to be the best that you can be.

All the best laid plans for eating better and exercising more don't mean a thing unless you have the discipline to follow through. But don't worry...discipline takes many forms. Don't let it scare you off before you even get started. Here are some ways of putting it all in perspective...

This is how you put the plan in place. Whatever system you come up with, you will need to draw from each of these 5 things to stay on track and reach your goal of a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Learn from my mistake. I stopped doing two very important parts of my own system and paid a price. Fortunately, I caught it before I caused too much damage, but keeping up a very simple routine would have saved me from having to work twice as hard later on.

Who we choose to be close with, our friends and family, can have a big influence on your success in achieving better health and overall well-being.

Does your circle of friends and family support you and celebrate your aspirations and accomplishments? Or are there those that help to create a negative environment that drags you down? If so, you may have some difficult decisions to make.

Did you use to be in much better shape earlier in your life? What happened?

For most of us, the rush of life--kids, careers, etc.--often has us choose different priorities. Now that you're working to get back into a healthier lifestyle, give some thought as to how you can create a system that is more sustainable with how you live now.

I used to be a vegetarian. Twice. I learned a few things from those experiences that shape how I eat to this day.

We all do it. Once in a while, we get a little crazy. We eat things we shouldn't, we have a second helping here and there, or we can't do our usual exercise. It's ok. It's normal. Cut yourself a little slack. It's actually a healthy thing to cut loose once in awhile. But you don't do yourself any favors by stressing over it. Learn how to forgive yourself and move on.

Some fitness lifestyle gurus seem very intimidating. Do we really need to kill ourselves with super-serious workout and diet regimens in order to keep fit?

Not me. I've got better things to do. I want to find ways to get the most out of the least. A fit mindset should complement our lives, not dominate them. Just make today a little better than yesterday...

As spring creeps up on us here in the Northeast, we are left to clean up mother nature's messes left over from the winter. But hey, it's an opportunity to get a great workout!