Happy New Year

With the eating holidays over and the new year whispering the word ‘resolution’ in our ear, a few people are setting their 2013 goals. Weight loss is usually the number one goal on women’s resolutions. A few people have sought me out for some personal weight loss advice. As my friends know, I am always more than happy to sit down and talk about their weight loss goals. Although I am not a doctor or a professional, it usually helps to have someone listen.

 I will start with the basics. 

If you have decided to live a healthier life through eating better and exercise, congratulations! With a small amount of effort, you will be rewarded greatly. There are some great benefits that come along with living healthier. Once your body acclimates to processing a more complete diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and less fatty/greasy foods you will find you have more energy during the day. Eating small meals throughout the day also helps you avoid the late morning/late afternoon sluggish feeling. If you combine exercise with that not only will your weight start changing you will sleep better, feel less stress, and become more flexible. No more exasperated sighs just because you dropped something and now have a hard time picking it up. Another plus is your relationship can be enhanced as well. Once you start feeling better about yourself, you feel more attractive, which boost your confidence, along with the flexibility you gain, and well…you can imagine. It’s just better, promise!

The first step is realizing you are the problem. I’m sorry, I realize these are harsh words, but I need to grab your attention. If you are unhappy with your weight it means the choices you have been making have not been in your best interest. You are the only person who can make these changes. I am not going to have the answer to every weight loss problem you have. I am here to encourage you, because YOU CAN DO THIS, but you will ultimately be the one to make all of the hard decisions.

These are a few tips to help you with your goal. 

1.    Drink water, lots and lots of water. While I realize the trips to the bathroom can get annoying, it really does help with your weight. 

2.    Cut your food into smaller pieces and chew slowly. Enjoy the food you're eating, take time to savor it.

3.    Put your fork down between every bite. This may sound a little silly, but eating slower really does help you feel fuller faster. There is nothing worse than tearing through your entire dinner and still being hungry.

4.    Drink a full glass of water before you eat. I’ve heard you should do this about 30 minutes before you eat, but I always just drank it right before my meal. I also eat a salad right before every meal and this is a great way to fill you up.

5.    Try to limit the unhealthy snacks available to you. While I realize this is hard for people with families, if you cannot get away from the snacks put them on a shelf together and tell yourself, that is not your shelf and there is nothing on the shelf for you. Your diet should not be one of absolute restriction. Have healthy alternative snacks around. Fruit, cheese sticks, 100 calorie snack packs are just a few ideas. Google is my best friend for recipes and snacks. Try www.skinnytaste.com, it’s been a lifesaver for me.

6.    Realize the food is not going to make you happy. Sure you might be a little grumpy with the smaller portions at first, but your body is craving that much food because it is trying to keep you the size that you are! At first it will feel irritating to not have that second helping or bypass a greasy hamburger with fries in lieu of a charbroiled chicken platter with seasoned vegetables, but your efforts will not be in vain. You will be rewarded with achieving the goal you set out to achieve. And being able to buy a smaller size pants is always a nice reward too!

7.    Have forgiveness with yourself. I will keep saying this. I believe in you, you can do this, but I can also tell you from experience… You’re going to cheat on your diet. You’re going to have days when you skip the gym and let me tell you something. That is perfectly OK. Life is a balance, we are imperfect, and we are human. All that matters is you start over fresh the next day. The less cheat days you have the faster your weight will come off. The trick is perseverance; keep at it!

8.    I’ve tried almost every popular diet there has ever been. Finally about a year ago my sister convinced me to join Weight Watchers. I was astounded. There is absolutely nothing you cannot have. Most fruits and vegetables are free points! It is the most forgiving diet I’ve ever been on. You have 0 excuse to be hungry on Weight Watchers. I highly recommend them. I ended up eating more and still losing even more weight. I was also happier. Oh! I just checked their website and they're waving the registration fee!! http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/mtf/index.aspx Hrm, now if only got a kick back from Weight Watchers!

9.     Do NOT join a gym right now!! Yes, you read that correctly. Do not join a gym right now. If you’ve made the decision to join a gym, great, awesome, totally cool. Here’s the thing, there are several thousands of other people out there who have all decided to either join or return to the gym as well. This leads to overcrowded gyms, with waiting lines for machines, and general irritation for everyone. I find the first three weeks of the new year to be the worst time to go to the gym and I either avoid it all together or go at off times, such as, late night. So my advice, wait three or four weeks and then go check out your local Y or gym club. More laid back atmosphere, less waiting, and more of a chance you will enjoy your gym experience. Although, I encourage you to have a gym buddy in the sense you can compare results and motivate each other. But remember, just because your gym buddy can’t go to the gym one day that does not excuse you as well!

10.  Finally, times are tough, if you cannot afford a gym I completely understand and empathize, however, I have great news. You do not have to join a gym to exercise. You can scour Amazon, Ebay, or google exercise DVDs until you find something that works for you. Better yet, do a little research on your own of which muscles you would like to work and then google exercises for them. Just make sure your doctor is OK with any exercise program/ gym activities/diet you want to start.

I hope you will find these tips helpful!

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