Exercise at least 3 times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes

Exercise can come in many forms - a gym membership, a yoga or pilates class, hiking, climbing the stairs, or even the Wii Fit. According to fitness expert Melissa Hall, "Do something you like, if you enjoy walking then walk. If you enjoy biking, then bike. If a gym atmosphere is too intimidating or does not fit your style , you can always get a work out partner or work out at home. Most importantly, make it fun and be realistic."

Excuse: I just keep exercising and I eat fairly well, but it seems like I never lose weight. Maybe I'm just big-boned.

Challenge: Get your thyroid checked. Why? For some of us, it's the reason why we're unable to lose weight. According to Dr. Erika Schwartz, expert on bioidentical hormones, "the thyroid is [also] under-diagnosed in women of color. If you can't lose weight, it's probably your thyroid that should be tested. These concerns are mostly overlooked or discarded by conventionally trained physicians who have no training or interest in prevention and thus wait until the patient actually comes down with chronic illnesses."