Small changes that will help you lose extra weight each week and give your weight-loss efforts a boost.

A pedometer is small and easy to wear. It will measure your steps (and open your eyes). Get one and wear it for a week to determine the number of steps you actually take in any given work day. For the average person, about 2,000 steps equal a mile and burns between 100 to 120 calories. Then dust off that treadmill you've been hanging laundry on (I know--that's how mine was used for several years) and start walking an extra 2-3 miles per day; or if weather permits, go for a real walk outdoors. We hear a lot about the recommended 10,000 steps per day and that's a good rule of thumb to follow. For me, walking a comfortable 2.8 to 3 mph burns 120 calories per mile and I can cover three treadmill miles in the time it takes to watch "The Dr's" on afternoon TV. Burning off this extra 360 calories per day will help you drop a pound every 10 days. Bump this up to 4 or 5 miles per day and you will be losing an additional pound per week. Combined with the elimination of 500 excess food calories per day (eliminate one unnecessary indulgence, like designer coffee, or a frozen smoothie) and you're at 2 pounds per week. One pound = 3,500 calories. In order to lose that one pound, You must burn it off through exercise or eat fewer calories each day than your body needs to maintain its present weight.