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The birds are singing, and flowers are starting to bloom—it’s time for spring cleaning.

Each year, as part of my spring cleaning, I go through my closet and toss clothes that don’t fit, are outdated or have lost their usefulness and simply clutter up my life. I’ve since learned to apply the same process to mental housekeeping.

The advent of spring provides a unique opportunity to rid ourselves of beliefs and legends that weigh our hearts down and send the numbers on the scale up. Spring is the perfect time to throw out obsolete ideas that no longer fit and no longer serve us. Clearing out the self-limiting clutter creates a clearing for a defining moment to occur—the moment in which we decide to get fit.

Here are five myths that need to be removed from our mental closet:

1. It’s too late for me to make changes.

I interviewed Dr. Henry Lodge, author of Younger Next Year, and asked him whether it was ever too late to improve fitness. He quickly responded “Yes, but only the day after our funeral.” The implication is clear: as long as we are alive, it isn’t too late. Dr. Lodge asserts that if you take care of yourself, you can live healthfully and happily into your 90s.

2. Even if I did lose weight, I would only gain it back.

Thanks to the National Weight Control Registry, we know the success stories of over 5,000 people who have lost 30 or more pounds and kept the weight off a year or longer. Although how the registrants lost the weight varied, what the successful registrants share are the habits of exercising regularly and monitoring weight and diet.

3. I don’t have time to exercise.

Everyone has the same 24 hours to spend each day—no more, no less.  You and I allocate time based on our priorities. Are you willing to make your health a priority? If not, you may have to make time for disease and illness tomorrow.

4. Anything that goes wrong with my body can be fixed by my doctor.

Doctors can treat the symptoms of the deadly quartet (obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol) that increase the risk of premature death. However, you will need to make lifestyle changes if you wish to reduce or eliminate the risk of developing these conditions, some of which significantly reduce the quality of your life and lead to expensive medical treatments and drugs. The deadly quartet may also lead to your early demise.

5. I don’t have the willpower to make changes and stick to new, healthier habits.

Replace the concept of willpower with brainpower. That is, approach your fitness goals as a student. Learn new approaches to eating, exercise and stress management. Learning a new skill requires practice. You won’t achieve perfection with the first effort, but you’ll acquire your habits with persistence.

The expression mind over matter reminds us that mind shifting precedes shape shifting. What you think and how you see the world shape the choices that in turn shape your body. Use the end of winter and the advent of spring to begin creating a new, healthier you.