Getting mentally ready to start any diet

Whether you're doing the DASH diet, attempting Atkins or trying the TLC diet, finding the right mindset is your first step. Below, experts help set you up for long-term success, whether you're trying to lose weight or just eat in a healthier way.

If you've failed at diets in the past, don't blame yourself – just try a different approach, says IHPI member Michelle Segar, author of "No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness."

To get mentally prepared for future success, people should think about and learn from what they've already attempted and whether that's had any real sticking power, says Segar, who directs the Sport, Health, and Activity Research and Policy Center at U-M. That information can steer you in a better direction when deciding on the best diet for you.