It’s that time of year again for New Year’s Resolutions, and about half are related to health and losing weight.
Here are 9 tips to keep your resolution to lose weight.
Be specific about your goals and incorporate a timeline.
Don’t say “I want to be healthy.” Instead, say "I want to lose 10 pounds by the end of February."
Be realistic about what you can achieve.
Set a goal to lose 1-2 pounds per week. In just two months, this is 8-16 pounds. Don’t set yourself up for failure or disappointment by setting unrealistic goals.
Get social.
Find an accountability partner or group who can help you keep on-track with your goals. Post them online or write them down to help keep yourself accountable.
Losing weight is 80 percent about nutrition.
Keep a food journal. Aim to cut back 200-500 calories per day (depending on your current eating habits). Find the lifestyle change that works best for you.
Incorporate physical activity.
We recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week to get the health benefits of exercise. Aim to work up a sweat. Be consistent and start slowly.
Set time limits on your eating.
Many people will eat mindlessly after dinner, eating unnecessary calories or foods. Set a schedule. Brush your teeth after dinner. And go to bed early.
Get 6-8 hours of sleep every night.
When you are tired, you look to high carbohydrate and sugar foods. You may reach for the processed foods and caffeine to keep you awake. Being tired can also make your workouts more ineffective. Go to bed earlier if possible.
Take the word "diet" out of your vocabulary.
It’s about making changes about your lifestyle, nutrition and health. Diet can make you think this is a temporary change. To be successful, this needs to be incorporated into your daily habits.
Celebrate the successes and don’t focus on the slip-ups.
Many people feel like losing weight is an all-or-nothing event. It is not. If you eat too much for dessert or get off-plan, give yourself a break. You can restart and refresh in the morning. This is a marathon journey, not a sprint, to a lifetime of good health.
Follow 9NEWS Medical Expert Dr. Comilla Sasson on Facebook and Twitter. Have a medical question or health topic idea? Email Dr. Comilla at c.sasson@9news.com