"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." –Chinese proverb
On being kind to yourself
"I think I'm like every woman who struggles with her weight. I have ups and downs and sometimes I'm 'in the zone' and sometimes I am 'off the wagon!' I try to follow what I call an 80/20 rule, which means that 80 percent of the time I make good and healthy food choices, which include lots of lean proteins, veggies and fruit. Then 20 percent of the time I indulge. That 20 percent helps me stay on track 80 percent of the time!" –Trisha Yearwood, to Parade
"Getting my lifelong weight struggle under control has come from a process of treating myself as well as I treat others in every way." –Oprah Winfrey, to O, The Oprah Magazine
On being consistent
"Six months seems like a long time unless you're looking backwards… All you have to do is just a few things every day and remain consistent, and time will fly just as fast as it flies if you're working hard or not. If you just cut the crap out of your diet, and if you spend an hour a day doing something physical that will make you sweat, six months will pass by, [and] you will feel better mentally, physically, spiritually—it all is tied together." –Chris Pratt, to Self
"It takes about four days of virtuous living to create a little weight loss. That also happens to be the time required to get used to eating less. In other words, if you can get past day three of a fitness regimen, things improve." –Martha Beck
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out." –Robert Collier
On harnessing your energy and attitude
"I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse." –Florence Nightingale
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity." –Amelia Earhart
On the rewards
Photograph by Tetra Images/Getty Images
"For me, it's never truly been about a number. It's just about feeling good." –Shonda Rhimes, to People
"Everything physically is easier. Everything feels better. And then emotionally I feel more comfortable, more confident." –Chaz Bono, to Parade
