I also asked Kimberly’s dietitian, Dawn Jackson Blatner, for her own list of advice. Here’s how she helps her clients shed the weight and learn to love a healthier diet.

1. Keep it positive.
Always motivate clients (and friends) with positive, not negative, reinforcement.

2. Explore different foods.
You’ll be less likely to cheat on your diet if your taste buds stay satisfied. Try at least one new and exciting healthy recipe each week so you don’t find yourself eating boring baked chicken and salad every day.

3. Mix up your workout sessions.
Try two to three different workouts per week to keep things fresh. Blend together a variety of activities such as a walk outside, jump rope, bike ride, or a fun exercise dance DVD.

4. Set goals and rewards.
Work on one goal at a time and be sure to give yourself a (diet-friendly) reward for each behavior you successfully change. For example, once you successfully decrease your soda-drinking, treat yourself to a movie or manicure. Then start working on limiting after-dinner snacking, with a reward of buying a new book or earrings.

5. Seek support.
If you are feeling the beginnings of a burnout, enlist the help of your healthy friends to motivate you. Start exercising with them, share workout music, or ask them for some new recipe or snack ideas to pump some excitement into your routine.