Tips On Keeping Your New Year’s Weight-Loss Resolution

It’s that time of the year once again – the time when your resolve to keep your New Year’s resolution is weakening!

According to a study, losing weight is one of the top resolutions that people have at the beginning of a new year. But as with any resolution, it’s challenging to keep. In fact, two out of every 10 people already break their New Year’s resolution on the first week of the new year.

So the fact that you’ve gone this long without breaking yours is admirable. But how do you make sure that you stay strong and decided on your weight-loss resolution?

Here are some tips to help you.

Set Your Attitude To Positive

Including losing weight in your New Year’s resolution is a good start to achieving that goal. However, people usually have a mindset that resolutions are challenges that they have to overcome. When you view something as a hurdle, chances are that it becomes a roadblock to achieving your goal.

Put a positive spin on your weight loss goal for the new year. See it as an opportunity for a fresh and healthier start after bingeing on the holiday feast that your family and friends prepared. Visualize weight loss as contributing to your increased energy and self-esteem.

In short, ditch the negative mindset and adopt a positive attitude in achieving your goal of losing weight.

Have An Overall Goal, But Set Milestone Goals Along The Way

Say the numbers staring back at you as you step on the weighing scale tell you that you need to lose 10 pounds. 10 pounds isn’t bad, right?

Well, let’s admit it: losing weight is no walk in the part. And believe us, the first pound is the hardest to lose. So while you have your heart set at shedding off 10 pounds, work towards milestone goals such as losing that first pound by say, after 2 weeks of the new year. Then, set another milestone goal of shedding off 3 pounds total at the end of January. Then maybe 5 – 8 pounds total at the end of February. And before you know it, you would have lost 10 pounds in total by the end of the first quarter.

Setting milestone goals along the way makes your overall goal more realistic and achievable. It’s healthier too since you do not have to starve yourself just to achieve these milestone goals. Also, building up your momentum in losing those excess pounds over a reasonable period of time will help keep them off for a longer period of time, if not permanently.

You may also want to think about giving yourself a reward for every milestone goal reached. For example, after you shed off your first pound and you keep it off for a week, reward yourself with a nice haircut from your favorite stylist. When you’ve lost 5 pounds and keep it off for 2 weeks, head to the spa for a pampering massage. You may also want to set your sights to a meaningful reward once you’ve reached your overall weight loss goal for that added motivation.

Plan Your Meals

Who plans their meals?

Well you do, if you have your mind dead set in achieving your weight loss resolution. Planning your meals also mean you get to be more deliberate in your food choices and intake.

Instead of that box of donuts or cupcakes for desserts, why not go for that basket of fruits instead? Or before reaching for that soda can, you make your own freshly squeezed juice to quench your thirst while still giving in to your craving for something sweet.

Meal planning also includes meal preparation. Instead of eating out or relying on food delivery service, cook your own healthy meal where you have control over the ingredients that you put in your food. This will give you lots of opportunities to make healthier food choices.

Have A Weight-Loss Buddy

Sticking to your weight loss New Year’s resolution is best done with a buddy. No one knows us like our best friend, right? So bring your best friend on board to provide you with that much-needed boost when you’re about to give up. Share your weight loss goals with your buddy and let them cheer you on and give you the motivation you need to go for that next milestone goal.

It is also a good idea to seek support from family. Since mealtimes are shared with family, letting them know about your weight loss resolution and seeking their support for healthier food choices is a must. Who knows, a family member or two may also be on their own weight loss journey. Sticking out with each other and providing each other support can help you all shed off that extra weight.

Bust A Move!

Weight loss is not just about being more mindful of what you eat. It is also about being more active and engaging in physical activity.

This does not have to be hard. You do not have to go to the gym to lift weights or to run a marathon. Realistic and doable changes in your daily habits can help you towards your weight loss goal.

Going for a 20-minute stroll around the neighborhood after lunch or dinner and making it a habit already has tremendous benefits. Instead of taking the elevator, why not take the stairs if it’s just 3 to 5 floors up? Walking over to visit a friend or family member who lives nearby can be a pleasant experience for you as well.

All these little changes over time may contribute to better overall health. And before long, you’ll be seeing your weight go down as well.

Expect To Slip, But Get Right Back At It!

Once in a while, you will give in to our sweet tooth craving and eat a slice of cake that is just too tempting to resist. Or instead of going for that walk, you will watch tv or take a nap instead. And because you find that it is getting a bit harder to lose more weight after you’ve dropped the first couple of pounds, you’ll start wondering whether it will be worth continuing your weight loss journey.

Well, slipping once or twice just goes to show that you are human. And sometimes, despite your best efforts and intentions, you will stumble.

Do not fret and cut yourself some slack for those missteps. Just get right back on it with the help of your buddy and family. It is a test of our resolve and determination when we slip and get right back up. This kind of attitude will no doubt help you achieve your goal.

When Losing Is Winning… Losing Pounds, That Is!

Remember, you are in it to lose – the weight that is in order to feel like a winner when you feel lighter and in better health.

And just like your family and friends, we at Weight Loss Surgery Center are cheering you on as you stick like glue to your weight loss New Year’s resolution. If you need help, just contact us and we will be there to assist you immediately.