Every year folks around the world make resolutions on New Year’s Eve. And every year, those resolutions are often forgotten by March. Technically, you don’t have to wait until a New Year to make a resolution. If you’re like most folks, then your number one resolution is to get into better shape. That can start tomorrow. However, it can also be the most challenging resolution to keep because of a lifetime of bad habits. This doesn’t mean you can’t turn things around. You just need to stay on track. Here are the four helpful tips you’ll need for keeping your healthy life resolution all year long:
Tip #1: Get Real
If you’ve got a high school reunion coming up in two months and want to shed 60 pounds, then embrace the reality that it’s not going to happen. Don’t be suckered in by those dramatic weight loss shows. Sure, if you’ve got six hours to spend working out every day and have a chef prepare all your meals, then you might be able to drop rapid weight but we all know that’s not how things work. You have to get real with your goals. Any nutritionist will tell you that losing two pounds a week is a solid target and one that is easy to achieve. Set that goal. In two months, you could have dropped 20 pounds. That will have a huge impact.
Tip #2: Eat Less
If you’re struggling with your weight, then you’re going to have to rework your entire diet. You know the drill by now: More veggies and fruits, less sugar. However, there is a more important concept that you need to embrace for managing your weight: Eat less. Shocking, right? Actually, this is the one thing that will have the biggest impact on your weight. Take a gander at all those weight loss microwave meals. There is a lot of variety amongst the brands but the one thing they all have in common is portion control. You can have amazing tastes but you just can’t eat a lot of that food. Say good-bye to second helpings and hello to smaller portions.
Bonus Tip: If you’re out dining and served a massive bowl/plate of something, then ask for a take-out box the minute your food is brought to the table. Save that half of your meal for tomorrow and enjoy the rest.
Tip #3: Move More
First, you have to eat less then you have to move more. When will this madness stop? It’s all connected and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Most Smartphones have dozens of apps to let you track your activity. You might also look into a Fitbit to count your steps. Nothing beats missing that 10,000 steps a day mark for motivating you to walk more. Yes, simple walking qualifies as exercise. In fact, most doctors will tell you that it is the preferred exercise. What if it is too cold to walk? Do a couple of mall laps every day and watch the pounds shed right off.
Tip #4: Reward Yourself
So, you walked every day for a week and ate less. You even swapped out a burger for a salad for two lunches. Way to go! Now it’s time to reward yourself. That means take a meal and go nuts. Your reward should only be that one meal, once a week. This way you won’t have to treat food like the enemy. Plus, you earned that reward! Here’s the big surprise: You might reach a point where you don’t need the reward and instead will stick with the program.
