Most of us realize that fad diets don’t work—and even if they provide temporary results, they don’t offer long-term weight management or support. So why do we keep doing them—paying attention to them when we already know they’re going to fail us (let alone make us more miserable)? We could all vow today to stop granting these diets one ounce of our attention and make real, lasting decisions to keep ourselves healthy and fit. I’m up for it—are you? For starters, we could…

Fill up on clean water. Get a filter (it will save you money and result in a lighter impact on the environment) and drink as much as you like. Replace all of your drinks with water, and drink a glass every time you are hungry before you eat. (If you’re still hungry, grab a healthy snack—but even drinking a glass before a meal will help curb your appetite.)

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. You really don’t need much meat, if any, in your diet; a little fish or lean poultry every now and then is plenty. Go for the green veggies and yummy fruits to really fill you up without adding too many calories. You can eat more of these than any diet meal, too—have as many cucumber or tomato slices, radishes, or cups of leafy green spinach as you like instead of eating a tiny microwave diet meal full of salt. Be sure to clean each piece of fruit or vegetable before cutting it up to avoid unnecessary germs or pesticides—or find a local grower who doesn’t use them and give him or her your business.

Assess your health. Do you really need to lose weight or are you trying to look like a supermodel—which isn’t only nearly impossible but also insane! To really find out, talk to your doctor about your weight and health. See what he or she thinks.

Stop smoking. Though I don’t, I have several relatives who do—and some who have died from it. Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can ever do for both your health as well as the health of those you love who are around you.

If nothing else, at least vow to not put your poor body through another fad yo-yo diet. It’s time to love your body and really show it just how much.