It's New Years Resolution Time!

      New Years Eve is just around the corner and with it usually comes a new year's resolution. One of the most common (if not the most common) is the resolution to lose weight and get healthy (this was my resolution NYE 2010). If this is on your list for 2012 here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. It is not necessary to change everything at once. Make a list of everything you want to change in your quest to lose weight/become healthy. Keep it handy and add to it as needed. To get started, pick one thing. Work on that until you have it under control. Then move on to the next thing. As you make these changes you will gain momentum and these changes will get easier and easier.

2. Give yourself plenty of time to meet your goal. Studies have shown that when people lose weight slowly they tend to keep it off. Aim for a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week. It is not uncommon for people to take 1 to 2 years to meet their goals.

3. Find a friend who is looking to make a change as well. It is always helpful to have a partner (or a small group) to keep you on track.

4. Accept that you will fall of the wagon at some point. No one is perfect. You WILL have a setback or two. That doesn't mean that you should give up. Every meal, every workout, every snack, every day is an opportunity. If you have a not-so-great lunch then dinner is your next opportunity to make a step in the right direction. If you have a completely bad day than they next day is your opportunity to get back on track. Being healthy is not about being perfect, it is about constantly re-dedicating yourself to your goal and staying focused on what you are trying to achieve.

5. Any change is difficult at first. Especially one that requires your constant dedication day after day. Accept that this will be difficult in the beginning and know that it will get easier with time. I promise that if you stick with it long enough your healthy choices will become habits and your new lifestyle will feel as comfortable as your old one did.

6. Educate yourself. So often we think we are making good choices just to find out that we ate a 1,200 calorie salad. Read labels, learn which foods are more nutrient dense, and educate yourself on the healthiest ways to prepare food.

7. Believe in yourself. If this is a resolution you have made (and failed at) previously you may be tempted to go into this with a "we will see" attitude, meaning "yeah, I have tried this in the past and I usually fail so we will see if I can do it this time". If you are feeling like this, then you have already failed. Do not accept that negative attitude. Claim your victory. Believe that this time is different and tell people about what you want to achieve. If you go into this with the same attitude and with the same game plan as you have in the past why would you expect a different outcome? There is nothing that cannot be achieved through knowledge, hard work, and self discipline. Make this year different!