Guest Author - Stephanie Watson
The new year is fully underway and by now most of us have already given up any new year's resolutions that we made. At its core, a resolution is really just a goal made without thinking things through. To be successful with a resolution or a goal it's important to be very specific about what the goal is as well as how you'll reach it. The goal should be written out along with the steps that will enable you to achieve it.
Thankfully, you can make a resolution any time of the year. So, if you've already blown your new year's resolution, all hope is not lost. You can create reachable, realistic goals for weight loss. Plus, every single day is a new beginning. In fact, if you make a mistake you just have to start over the next minute. It's the starting over, the getting back on track that will enable you to attain your goals.
Write out your weight loss goal. If you feel like it, share your goal on the forum. For instance, don't just say, "I want to lose 20 lbs." Say, "I will lose 20 lbs during 2013 by eating 1800 calories a day and exercising by walking for 30 minutes each day." You can go even further with the goal by writing out steps for each day. Start by choosing your eating plan and exercise plan, and then continue by writing out exactly how you will stick to all of it.
Choose a day each week where you will do your menu planning, and scheduling of exercise for the coming week. Once you do your shopping, prepare all your food, chop up the vegetables, package up your snacks, and do whatever you can to ensure that it's simple to stick to your resolution during the week, especially if you work outside the home and time is short. Be realistic so that you can make it easier for yourself.
Mark in your calendar the times you will conduct your exercise and exactly what you will do for the exercise. Consider these times sacred. Again, be realistic about the times you schedule and what you schedule. Pick times you know you can stick to, and exercises that you know you'll do. The simplest thing to do is walk, or dance around your living room. Don't choose going to the gym if you don't have a way to get to the gym. Don't choose anything that has too many obstacles in the way otherwise you won't stick to it.
Please share on the forum what your New Year's Resolution is in relation to weight loss. I'd love to hear from you.
