“I’m not in the mood to exercise.” “One more candy bar won’t hurt.” “I’ll start eating better and working out tomorrow.” Sound familiar? Try these tips to help stifle excuses and keep you on your journey to better health:

• Start small. If you miss a workout or splurge on dessert, all is not lost. Any effort you make counts, so commit to little changes first — order a small nonfat latté instead of a large mocha, walk to lunch instead of driving, or stop shy of the last bite on your plate.

• Avoid temptation. Sometimes your best bet is avoidance. Skip the ice cream aisle in the grocery store and that double-chocolate chunk won’t leap into your cart. On the flipside, surrounding yourself with support can strengthen your resolve — for example, being around people who go hiking instead of hitting happy hour.

• Allow incentives. Self-control deserves a pat on the back. Set mini-goals for yourself, such as cutting out food after dark or snacking on carrots for a week — then pay yourself back with mini-rewards such as a massage or a movie.

Stay motivated to practice healthy habits by strengthening your will. KP members can also call a personal wellness coach to get free personalized help over the phone to set and achieve healthy goals.