It’s that time of year again – a time of hope and renewal. Many of us dig around for those rarely-worn running shoes and workout clothes in pursuit of weight loss. Losing weight is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions made. It also happens to be the most failed resolution. Many people make their resolution of weight loss based on a desire for an improved physical appearance. But, healthy weight loss does much more for the inside than the outside of our bodies. Being at a healthy weight significantly influences many chronic diseases and conditions.
Try something new this year. Focus on healthy eating, and your resolution will be one that is a long-term success. Try these tips for putting action into your 2005 goals:
- Choose only one or two resolutions this year. If you make a long list of resolutions, you are unlikely to keep any at all.
- Say goodbye to diets and change the way you eat for life. Diets are associated with deprivation and cheating, and let’s face it – diets simply do not work. Instead, focus on being healthy and eating healthy. Not only will this be better for your body, but healthy eating can also help you reach your weight loss goals for the long run as you work on changing your behaviors.
- Instead of focusing on weight loss, why not focus on healthy eating and living. The unavoidable resulting weight loss will only be a bonus to your latest adventures. Some people find it helpful to focus on weight loss because it is something measurable and is a direct result of your changing behaviors. Be realistic about your goals and review the work that is involved. A goal of losing 80 pounds may be your ultimate goal, but first set yourself up for success by making your goal one that is sure to be attained. Try a goal of 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week or 5 to 8 pounds per month.
- Throw out the words, “cannot” and “should not” eat. Focus instead on what you can and should eat.
- Get excited about your new endeavor. Buy a new pair of walking shoes or a new piece of kitchen equipment that can assist in healthy living. Subscribe to a healthy living magazine like Shape or Cooking Light. Get an expanding file organizer and when you see healthy recipes on-line or in a magazine, print or tear them out and categorize them in your organizer. If your kitchen is in disarray, take time to organize it so that you will feel like spending some time in the kitchen. Educate yourself. Read and learn about healthy eating and living.
- Take it one or two steps at a time. Rather than trying to do the nearly impossible task of revamping your whole diet at once. Take small steps to improve your eating behaviors. That way, you’ll be able to adopt these healthy eating behaviors for life. Get a little calendar and write down your steps for each week or every two weeks. This written record will help give you confidence with each additional step.
- Reward yourself. Rewards can be as simple as spending time alone, an evening out, a new work out t-shirt and a new cookbook or as extravagant as a day at the spa.
by Editor, theCity1.com
January 7, 2005
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