You can control your thoughts, and they can be very powerful enough to make anything.

Positive thoughts can motivate healthy behaviors, such as eating right and being active. It's simple really. If you believe you can take 10,000 steps a day, you will be more likely to take an extra walk to meet your goal. If you know you can avoid holiday weight gain, you'll feel great when you pass the tempting dessert buffet, and fit comfortably in your winter clothes.

But the reverse is also true. Your thoughts can be defeating. "I'm already overweight, so it doesn't matter if I eat a second piece of cake." Or, "I only have 10 minutes. It's not enough time to walk." Negative thoughts, often called negative self-talk, may slow down your good intentions.

If you set your mind to something, you can do it. This is possible with mind power.

If you are one of the people who are trying to reduce weight , you are more likely to reach your health and fitness goals with the right attitude. Positive thinking can help you achieve and maintain healthy behaviors, such as becoming more physically active or limiting your sugar intake.

Studies have measured the success of positive-thinkers and found that those who think they can lose weight, or increase their physical activity, do! These people are more successful than people with less faith in themselves. The confidence you have in performing a certain behavior is called self-efficacy; and self-efficacy is a key in successful behavior change.

You have the choice to have a positive outlook. Chances are when you choose to think positively, you'll feel better about yourself and be able to perform better in whatever you do.

There are small goals in your reach that do not require drastic life changes. For example, your weight loss goal may be to cut 100 calories a day.

Positive thinkers admit when they feel frustrated or depressed. They don't ignore it. But they also don't blame themselves. Instead, they try to understand the negative thoughts and feelings and counter them with more positive ones.

So how do you stay positive, maintain momentum and sustain healthy behaviors? Here are some tips:

Look for a good role model. There is always someone who seems to be doing just what you want to be doing. Maybe they've scheduled exercise into their workday and switched from coffee to herbal tea. Learn from a successful friend, family member or colleague. Ask them how they keep healthy and follow in their footsteps.

Try some positive self-talk and avoid negative-talk. Take a minute to give yourself an ego boost. Repeat some motivational words out loud or to yourself. Negative talk, "I can't do it," "I'm fat," is dangerous for your well-being and healthy goals. Try to avoid the negative self-talk before it harms you. Remind yourself that you deserve happiness and can make positive changes.

Get support. Tell your friends and family about your healthy habits. It helps to have an encouraging network.

Have a plan. Making a plan to exercise or eat healthy lunches with a friend can mean the difference of sticking with your goals or falling off track. If you've planned for an activity, you'll likely stick with it. You may even find that writing down your goals and steps to achieve them can help you stay on track. Take it day by day or week by week. The process of writing down your personal action plan is a good way to keep you honest and watch your progress or pitfalls.