This is from a magazine article I read where they are studying how thin vs heavy people think and act to see if there is a difference.  I know you will be able to think of one thin friend that doesn't follow any of these examples.  But it's just some ideas to keep us on track most of the time.

1.  Having a salad or water based soup before a meal means you'll eat less for the rest of the meal.

2.  Portion size - filling your plate with fruit, vegetables and lean protein means less room for the carbs.  Remember I always say if you want a second helping - have some more veggies!

3.  Thin people prioritize and put themselves first - exercise and a healthy diet are worked into the every day routine like brushing their teeth.

4.  Thin people have thin parents - which is partially to genetics but also to environment.  If you were raised to be active and to eat well, chances are you will continue to do so.

5.  Thin people don't skip meals. When you are ravenous you are more likely to overeat.

6.  Thin people limit their options.  The more types of foods we have available, the more we tend to eat.  So make sure you have variety but the variety is in low calorie foods like vegetables, fruits and soups.

7.  Thin people don't sit still.  One study showed that the thin people were always moving - more likely to stand, walk and fidget.  So parking your car farther away in the parking lot will help.  As will regular exercise.

8.  Thin people weigh themselves.  Not obsessively, not agonizing, but maybe a couple of times a week.  This way you catch the weight gain sooner and can choose to act.

9.  Thin people don't skip breakfast.  Need I give you the spiel on this adage again!?  Remember you'll eat less during the day if you have breakfast!

10.  Thin people enjoy their food.  They eat without self-reproach, there is no guilt.  Think of it as your body having a budget, we should spend on what we eat selectively, not compulsively.

11.  Thin people practice early intervention.  Thin people do gain weight but they intervene earlier.  

12.  Thin people do what works.  Those who don't gain or regain weight have come up with effective, specific, and often personal ways to keep their weight in check.   When good habits are integrated into your life, something shifts.  For the thin, feeling strong, healthy, and slim are powerful rewards and their chief motivation to continue.  More than 90% of those who have mastered weight maintenance feel like they're not dieting.  It becomes a way of life.

So how is that for some motivating ideas for the RealSimple magazine.  Now here are a few quotes, hopefully equally as motivating.

Have the dogged determination to follow through to achieve your goal: regardless of circumstances or whatever other people say, think, or do.  Paul Meyer

Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment.  Anthony Robbins  Motivational speaker and management consultant.

Identify the major obstacle that stands between you and your goal and begin today to remove it.  Brian Tracy