#443: Become Action Jackson in 2011

The other day as I drove from Orlando to St. Pete Beach, FL, I passed the stadiums for the Tampa Bay Rays major league baseball team and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pro football team . They provided food for thought about how much in our lives begin with a single action.

Take baseball, for example. Nothing happens until the pitcher throws a pitch. In football, nothing happens until the center hikes the ball to the quarterback. This is true in so many things. Driving requires action by the driver to start the car . A brick wall requires the mason to spread cement before placing the first brick. Trimming a tree begins with cutting the first limb.

Examples are nearly endless, including our attempts at weight loss . Every pound we want to lose requires us to take some action -- typically eat less or exercise more.

But to get to that point requires us to have a basic knowledge of weight loss and how it is achieved . SP provides that education as do weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers . For some people, merely reading and learning is the action they need to take to start their weight loss journey. Others find they thrive with support from an additional source.

Whatever action jump starts us on our way to success, some action must be taken. If reading and learning is not enough, then seek extra help from somewhere else. For me it was a weight loss clinic. Not that I was weak-willed or lacked knowledge of nutrition and exercise, but that I needed an extra boost. So I took action and sought the extra help. It has worked for me -- more than 35 pounds down in 3.5 months toward my initial goal of losing 64 pounds.

If you're just starting your weight loss journey or if you find yourself stymied, ask yourself what action you can take to get your weight loss started. Perhaps it will be to track your eating so you can see your actual calorie and other nutrient intake. Maybe it will be to begin exercising, hiring a personal trainer or seeing a registered dietitian.

When you feel lost or off track or feel you are treading water and making no progress toward your weight loss goals, remember the movie "Action Jackson" and take some action, regardless of what it is.

If you do, and take things one healthy meal, one exercise, one positive day at a time and always believe in yourself you can be successful, one pound at a time, you will find yourself heading toward the at the end of the , that will be your reward for becoming a new you .