Diet and exercise [1] aren't enough. Weight loss begins with the right mindset, says clinical psychologist.

Changing behavior by getting into the right mindset is crucial to long-term, successful weight loss, according to Dr. Howard Rankin. In his book [2] "7 Steps to Wellness [3]," he says the key to making diet and exercise [1] work [4] is mental [5] attitude.

A clinical psychologist for more than 25 years, Rankin wrote 7 Steps to Wellness [3] (StepWise Press, 1998), a best-selling guide to a healthier lifestyle. The seven steps guide readers from motivation to what Rankin terms "mindfulness," to eliminate gaining back weight lost during dieting.

Rankin calls his method "the invisible part of losing weight." It's easy to tell people what they need to do, he says, but tough to translate that into action.

So pack some healthy thoughts into your gym bag alongside your fruit snacks, the author says. It might just be your first step to a slimmer, healthier life.

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Sign up for the Three Weeks to a New You [6], a course at ThirdAge Learning Center.