Change Your Body (and Your Life) in 48 Hours

Step 1: Get Focused

This weekend, make taking care of yourself (and your body!) a priority. Use this as a guide to upgrade your self-image and set a plan to reach your goals. Do the "homework" in a quiet place, and share your resolutions with a friend, or jot them in your journal.

Pamela Peeke, MD, says, "One weekend is all it takes to inspire a healthier, fitter life. In two days you can lay the groundwork for smart habits, making changes that will truly last."

"When a ginormous piece of chocolate cake is staring you in the face, having a short phrase or mantra to repeat can be a powerful push-it-away tool," says Dr. Peeke. Think about what you hope to achieve -- maybe it's running a race or dropping 10 pounds. Then summarize it in a short, snappy rhyme, such as "142 by September 2!" or "5K is the way."

"It's impossible to hate your body and feel good about yourself at the same time," says Adrienne Ressler, national training director at the Renfrew Center Foundation, an eating-disorders treatment facility in Philadelphia. Do these statements ring true?

Checked any? If so, it's time to give your body some R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Here's how: "Give up any fantasy you may have about how different your life will be when you lose weight," Ressler says. "Stop putting things off until later -- start living your life now." Be aware of how often you use negative words when you think about yourself, and replace them with positive phrases. Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to a close friend. Choose to surround yourself with people who love you as you are, not those who point out your imperfections.