I’ve named it “reshaping.” The process of changing your life by changing the way you live. It’s an attempt to convince you to put away the scale and focus on step-by-step actions you can take to feel better, look better and make your body healthier.

Liz Weiss, a well known dietitian, former CNN nutritionist and author of the “No Whine With Dinner” cookbook helped me come up with the idea of reshaping, and I think it fits the mold of how I approach weight loss and wellness. It isn’t weight that matters most. It’s transforming your body by transforming your life.

It’s a big puzzle that can be accomplished with small, progressive steps or giant leaps and bounds. The long term rewards will come by viewing the little victories as part of a process that constantly rewards you with better energy and baggy clothing! If your goal is to lose weight, determine if your strategy is going to make you healthier overall. Reshaping will surely change the way you look, but the idea is to also change the way your body works.

Start by evaluating your current diet patterns. Are you eating breakfast? Limiting empty calories? Then, be honest about your physical activity. Are you using “housework” and “yard work” as your exercise? Or, do you incorporate weight training and a variety of heart pumping activities most days of the week?

If your answers to the above questions lead you to a goal … write it down! The bottom line is that a weight loss goal is not as motivating as a clothing size, playing with the kids again or a new wardrobe. Setting a six month goal is the first step. The next is to determine a goal for the current week. Then determine daily goals. Write them in your schedule, and check them off as you go.

Reshaping can also be made more specific: Reshape your muscles, waistline, meal planning, stress level, etc. In general, reshaping your body requires reshaping your life in at least one or two areas. But the more, the better!

Getting started is the hardest part. I can only promise that it gets easier! Try the recipe below as part of a tasty, healthy and satisfying meal.

Editor’s note: This is the first of several blogs in which Jill Koegel will focus on “reshaping.” Check back next week for Jill’s blog on the first official step of the reshaping process.

Lean and Meaty Meatballs

• 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
• ½ cup chopped onions
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• ½ cup whey protein powder, unflavored
• ½ cup egg substitute
• dash salt

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients. Form 1 inch meatballs and place in pan. Bake 15 minutes or until done.  Per 4-5 meatballs:  300 calories, 39 grams protein, 14 grams carbs, 1 gram fiber, 10 grams fat.