Why weight is a national health concern in the U.S.; the importance of losing weight; how the body-mass index, waist circumference and medical history each impact health; which factors are most important and why.

How to prepare one's kitchen for the two-week jump-start phase of The Mayo Clinic Diet; taking a quiz to answer the fundamental question of whether it is the right time to start a weight-loss program; whether there are underlying issues to address.

Learning five specific habits to add to one's daily routine for the first two weeks of the program; five habits to remove; bonus habits to jump-start one's weight-loss journey; these changes are designed to take people in a healthier direction.

One does not need to worry if they cannot follow every detail of the program; changing some habits is the beginning of success; one can give themself a bit of leeway on some habits; other habits are too fundamental to weight loss to be negotiable.

Moving into the long-term portion of The Mayo Clinic Diet; how to realistically set personal outcomes, performance goals and a daily caloric intake; The Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid; the crucial difference between serving size and portion size.

Tracking daily food intake and activity is crucial for success as one begins the long-term portion of The Mayo Clinic Diet; learning exactly what and when to track for maximum efficacy; tracking one's weight is a more personal matter.