Make health a top priority

Are you determined to meet your weight loss goals this year? If healthier habits and weight loss are among your New Year’s Resolutions, give yourself a pat on the back for making health a top priority!

The hard part is actually sticking to it and making real changes. Here are a few tips to help you keep on track with your weight loss resolution.

Write your goals down
If you want to truly do something, write it down. Journals, food diaries and/or online sites to track calories taken in, are extremely important to your weight loss plan. Brainstorm all or your goals and then write them in your journal as a contract with yourself. A food diary or an online site is key to making yourself aware of what kinds of things you are putting into your body as well as the amount of it. Awareness is the beginning of change. Track everyday for 1 month.

Set a definite date
If you just say you are going to meet your goal sometime within the year, that will not work. In fact, you will probably fall into the “I will start next week” trap. Instead, mark your calendar for a certain date for each goal that you want to achieve. For example, by March you want to be walking 3 miles a day. Setting a definite date is a great way to make sure you stick with your plan.

Remove the temptations
Go into your kitchen and remove all bad foods from your refrigerator and pantry. This includes all snack foods such as cakes, pies, cookies, chips, soda and all other “empty calorie” foods that will impede on your weight loss goals. This step is very crucial since the temptation to cheat will be increased tenfold if you have cheat foods lingering inside your home. If you have a family, they are not benefiting from these types of foods either. Fill your kitchen with healthy, nutrient dense food, such as lean protein, fresh fruits, raw vegetables, healthy snack foods and filtered water

Meet mini goals
Make small changes every week and they will add up in time. It is easier to move little pebbles that an entire mountain, right?

Get support
You don’t have to go it alone! Tell your friends and family what you want to accomplish and tell them how they can help you. Telling someone else your goals will probably make you feel that much more dedicated to reaching them. Who knows, maybe you will even find a weight-loss buddy among your peers who will join you on your journey to weight loss.

Photograph yourself
You will be amazed when comparing pictures from month to month. This will keep you motivated and give you a feeling of accomplishment.

Set realistic goals
Remember, it did not take you two weeks to gain those extra 50 pounds, so it definitely will not take only two weeks to lose it all! You gradually gained the weight over several months and even years, so always remember that you are in this for the long haul. It is a marathon not a sprint and with this type of mindset, you will be able to crate new healthy habits which will eventually turn your “diet” into a healthy lifestyle to last a lifetime!

Lisa Curtis is a certified wellness and weight loss coach with Herbalife and the creator of the “Become Maricopa’s Biggest Loser” challenge: [email protected]

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