Is your New Year’s resolution to lose weight? Read on and you can be sure this will be the last time you set that same goal. We’ll show you how to enjoy the way toward achieving your goal and how to have fun while getting there.
More important than achieving your propose is the way you do it. It should be a new experience in which you put all your senses and effort. To achieve this, you need to make changes gradually, so you don’t feel overwhelmed and stay motivated. We’ll show you how:
- First, thinkof the many healthbenefits you’ll get by losing weight. Think about health instead of only pounds.
- Rewardyourself for every positive change, no matter how small it is.
- Be patient;don’t expect to change all your habits at once. Make a list of what you want to change and start with the easiest things, to move on progressively to what’s more difficult.
- Make your own support groupwith friends, neighbors, or relatives with whom you have common goals.
- Plan different activitiesto exercise on weekends. For example: take your kids to the park and play with them, walk the dog, go out for a walk with your husband/wife, take dance lessons with your friends, or take some time for yourself swimming in the pool.
- It’s okay to fail occasionally. Keep in mind we’re only human, and we’re not perfect. If you don’t follow your diet or if you stop exercising some day, enjoy the moment and leave it behind. Start again the next day, but don’t give up.
- Set realistic, short-term goals,such as: getting to wear a specific suit or dress within a month, being able to walk to your office without getting exhausted, eating five servings of fruits and vegetables each day by the third month of your plan, and so on, until one day you reach your final goal.
- Learnhow to prepare your favorite recipes in a healthier way, so you can continue to enjoy them without sacrificing your health or your figure. You can even take a “diet cooking” class with your friends.
- The most important thing is to look for fun ways to make all the changes in your lifestyle. Make your exercise routine as varied and dynamic as possible, and use your imagination to prepare your meals.
- Manage your emotionsso they don’t interfere with your plans. For example, if you’ve noticed you eat more when you’re alone, try to avoid this situation by eating with other people or even by talking on the phone with a friend right after eating.
- Relax; stress may be linked to overeating and to choosing high-calorie snacks.
- Don’t expect miracles overnight; this process takes time but is crucial to achieving your weight loss goal. Remember that the key to maintain weight loss is to maintain long-term lifestyle changes.
