Losing Weight and Improving Health

Losing Weight and Improving Health

There is something about the new year that evokes a renewed optimism when it comes to losing weight and improving health. Our desire and enthusiasm takes over and we are certain that our New Year's resolutions will work completely this time. Regardless of the fact that we dropped the resolution of last year by Valentine's Day. And the year before (and the year before) was not different. Sound familiar?

But what if this year could really be different? It can; and you have the power to make it different.

Start by doing some real soul searching and figure out why losing weight and improving your health is so important to you. If you can come up with a single reason that really (really!) Questions, you are much more likely to stay engaged. For example, if you want to lose weight and improve your health so that you may live long enough to see your grandchildren grow up, wondering why this is important to you. If your reason is quite significant to genuinely change, you'll be on your way to the impressive success.

The next step is to find a plan that focuses on the way small goals rather than just the great result. If you make choices every day, week after week, that are compatible with your resolution, you may find this really happens this year.

Make sure that your short-term (daily and weekly) Are you set up for success - not failure. Do not be overzealous and too much of yourself. If you do this, you will start on an unsustainable and unhealthy way. Use these tips to help you set healthy, realistic, step by step goals.

Unrealistic goals:

Make sure unsustainable objectives such as these are not part of your plan ...

• Go to the gym every day and exercise for an hour.

• Never go out to eat.

• No snacks or desserts.

• Follow a strict diet that eliminates entire food groups.

• To lose at least 5 pounds per week.

• Eat less than 1,000 calories per day.

Realistic goals:

Your goals should be ambitious and achievable. Looking realistic ways to improve your lifestyle, diet and physical activity. Do not set yourself up for failure. Start slowly and keep a steady pace.

Examples of realistic ...

• Aim to lose 1-2 pounds a month.

• Move more; walk and take the stairs whenever possible.

• Eat vegetables with lunch and dinner.

• Cook your meals and eat at home most days.

• Bring lunch to work more often.

• Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed.