Scores of people make health-related goals, such as weight loss, to stop smoking or sign up for the neighborhood fitness center. While it is usual to set lofty goals, experts say that setting lesser goals may possibly do more for our health.

Here are 10 to attempt:

1. Stop gaining weight. Even if you acquire only a pound or two every year, the extra weight adds up quickly.

2. Walk more. Use a pedometer to count your daily steps; after that add 2,000, the equivalent of one extra mile. Persist in adding steps, 1,000 to 2,000 every month or so, until you reach 10,000 steps on most days.

3. Don't skip breakfast. Those who eat breakfast tend to weigh less and have better diets overall. For a filling and nutrition-packed breakfast, top Whole Grain Total with fruit or raisins and low-fat or fat-free milk.

4. Switch three grain servings every day to whole grain. If you are like the common American, you usually eat even less than one whole grain serving a day.

5. Eat a minimum of one green salad every day. Consuming a salad (choose low-fat or fat-free dressing) is filling and might help you eat even less through the meal. It also contributes toward your five daily cups of fruits and vegetables.

6. Eliminate Fat. Fat is saturated with calories, and calories count. Purchase lean meats, eat chicken skinless, switch to lower-fat cheeses, use a nonstick pan with only a bit of oil or butter.

7. Don't forget about calcium by including two or three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt. Dairy calcium is necessary for bones and may well additionally help you lose weight.

8. Downscale. The smaller the bag, bottle or bowl, the less you will eat.

9. Lose just 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. The health benefits are huge-lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides.

10. Keep track of your eating. Write down what you eat over the next couple of days and be on the lookout for problem spots. Usually, just recording what you eat in a notebook is able to help you eat a reduced amount, which will help you lose fat.