(StatePoint) – While we all want to get healthier, most of us find it hard to make big changes in our lives – especially when it comes to diet and exercise.

However, with heart and cardiovascular disease remaining the country’s number-one killer, it’s important to remember that a few simple lifestyle modifications and some dedication potentially can make a big difference in living a healthier life now and extending your golden years.

“Simply thinking positively will not get the job done,” said Joseph Piscatella, an authority on heart-healthy habits and best-selling author of 10 books, including the new “Positive Mind, Healthy Heart: Take Charge of Your Cardiac Health, One Day at a Time.” “You need to take action and keep on doing it in order to develop new habits,” he stresses.

If you’re just starting out adopting new lifestyle choices to strengthen your heart, you first need to set realistic goals. By setting explicit, achievable goals, you’ll have an easier time adopting good habits. Unrealistic expectations ultimately can do more harm than good.

Once you get rolling, here are a few points to help guide you to better heart health:

• Think of Your Family: “Take some time to think about your kids or grandkids,” Piscatella said. “They need you to lead by example.” Motivation sometimes can be difficult to muster when starting to make significant lifestyle changes. What better way to push yourself than to think about how it might benefit your family?

• Forget Candy, Try Fruit: Diet is a big part of enhancing heart strength. Eating only broccoli and carrots isn’t necessary, but remember that many snack foods are high in trans fats and calories. Substituting apples, bananas, and other fruits for fattier snack foods is a great way to kickstart your new healthy lifestyle.

• Try Walking: We do it daily, but not all of us do it enough. You don’t necessarily need to hit the gym – simply dedicating a small block of the day to a pleasant walk can make a major difference in getting your heart pumping. Once you’re comfortable walking, consider upgrading to a brisker pace. Eventually, you should feel a difference in your overall health.

• No More Crash Diets: The plight of dieters has been well-documented. According to Piscatella's book, “Positive Mind, Healthy Heart,” 97 percent of crash dieters re-gain their weight and more within a year. This is particularly true of dieters attempting to drastically reduce daily calorie consumption. Simply choosing different types of foods and making gradual exercise changes is more sensible.

Before beginning any exercise program, consult your doctor.

By adopting a few simple ideas right away, you can begin to reach some major milestone for your heart.