Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolution to Lose Weight

Posted by
Tracy Rose
Jan 14, 2009

Another year has come and gone. As you set your New Year’s resolutions, you realize that losing weight tops the list once again. You really want to lose weight this year, but how can your turn your resolution to lose weight into a reality?

Make it fun. If you dread your workout and think you will die if you have to go another day eating dry, tasteless food, you aren’t going to stick to the plan. Instead, make losing weight fun. Try out new activities and menus that keep it exciting and new.
Stay in the spirit. Many people fall into negative thinking when they don’t see instant results for their weight loss efforts. Stay positive. Remind yourself why you want to lose weight and how good you feel when you eat right and exercise.
Enlist the help of family and friends. You don’t have to tackle your weight loss journey alone. Whether you choose to mall walk with friends, call them for support in your weak moments, exchange healthy recipes or celebrate with them when you reach your goals, having weight loss buddies is essential to your long-term success.
Set realistic goals. If your goal is simply to lose weight, it is not specific enough. Break down your big picture goal into smaller, more manageable goals. Create separate categories of goals for diet, motivation, fitness and exercise. Your goals may be to lower your cholesterol by 20 points, lose a size or to accomplish a more strenuous workout. Whatever your goals are, they should be specific personal goals for yourself. Also make sure to revisit your goals to check off what you have achieved, revise goals and set new ones.

Sticking to your New Year's resolution to lose weight isn't impossible. It just takes a little planning. Using these tips will help you stick to your diet and reach your weight loss goals.