Sticking To Your Resolutions for New Year's Weight Loss
Make A Plan
One of the fastest paths to failure is no path at all. If you have a new year’s weight loss goal, create a plan that you can use to hold yourself accountable. There are a couple of different facets that you’ll want to include in a plan for weight loss, including activity goals, nutrition goals, and milestones. Your mindset can be your biggest drawback so We recommend that our clients start with something that is attainable in each of these facets so they don’t get discouraged by unrealistic expectations of themselves.
If you don’t work out at all, it’s not very realistic to expect yourself to workout 5-6 days a week just because the clock struck midnight. Rather, commit to hitting the gym 1-3 times per week and taking a walk every day at lunchtime. When it comes to nutrition, maybe your goal is to bring your lunch from home every day and trade your morning Starbucks run for a protein shake or smoothie. Re-evaluate your plan for your new year’s weight loss goal at the end of every month to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You can then make revisions to your plan, slowly increasing the frequency of workouts and nutrition-related goals so that you can continue to feel successful on your path towards the lifestyle you want to be leading.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Your new year’s weight loss goal will not be achieved in a straight line - that’s simply not how our bodies work. Find different ways to hold yourself accountable to your weight loss goals. This might include physical measurements like weight, waist/hip ratio, and body fat percentage, but should also include things like how you feel, how well you are able to stick to your goals from your plan, and milestones in the gym or the kitchen. In addition to these ongoing goals, you may want to consider accountability behaviors like logging your meals so you can see your progress over time.
Celebrate Yourself
Often, our new year’s weight loss goals are challenging because the process is so slow. It is important to identify milestones that you will want to celebrate throughout the process, even if it is not the end goal for your new year’s weight loss efforts. Whether these are 5 or 10-pound weight loss markers, sizing down in your jeans, or reaching a new personal record in the gym, find a healthy way to celebrate because these events are just as important as your end goal! Maybe it’s a spa day with your girlfriends or a weekend away with your significant other - something that you enjoy and can look forward to at regular intervals are a good way to stay motivated throughout the year and years to come.
It’s One Day Of The Whole Year
This is such an important factor to keep in mind when you have a new year’s weight loss goal. January 1st has no tangible meaning for your self-worth or ability to achieve your goals. Don’t discount the importance of experiences with your loved ones and don’t feel like a celebratory glass of champagne at midnight means you won’t succeed in an effort to lose weight. For New Year’s Day and every day after, remember this: it’s just one day. Take things one step at a time to build a life that you want to lead.
Support For Your New Year’s Weight Loss Goals
If sticking to your new year’s weight loss goals seems daunting, Whole Intent can help. Find a partner in your journey towards a healthier life with our personal trainer and nutrition coach. Contact us today to set up a consultation and discuss a plan for achieving your new year’s weight loss goals.