Weight Loss

Yep, it's that time of year again. Why every time January 1st comes, everyone starts thinking about their new resolutions for this year? Or maybe "new" isn't the right word - maybe "recycled" more appropriate? After all, isn't it true that for most people, "decisions are broken?" Goals are a great way to inspire us toward getting the things we want in life, but most of the time, they simply end up without achievement and feel frustrated (again) at the end of the year. But it doesn't have to be this way. really. You can achieve your goals or decisions, but only if you know how to put them in the first place. I'll give you some helpful pointers to help you get started on the right track ... - Begin with the end in mind. What is the end result you want to achieve? Do you want to lose weight? Or do you want to drop a one-size dress instead? Be specific and realistic. It's not enough to just say "I want to lose weight". How much do you want to lose - exactly _? Before when? Your best goal is to say, "I want to lose 11 pounds in 3 months." And make sure your goal is realistic. If you want to lose 27 pounds, it's not realistic to say that you want to do this within the next seven days, not to mention that it is not healthy to do so! Or if you've been slowly gaining weight over the past 10 years, it's not realistic to say that you want to return to your weight 10 years ago in a month. Break it down into smaller and easier "little steps". Let's say you want to lose 20 pounds. This sounds like an insurmountable task, but it becomes much easier to manage if you view it as losing an average of 1 pound per week, over a period of 20 weeks. Now it can be controlled! To lose one pound per week, you only need to create a calorie deficit of around 500 calories per day by controlling your diet and increasing the number of exercises. Well, now for the big "secret" - the missing key to achieving your goals: write "why," meaning what do you do about it? Most people skip this step, which is a major reason for not achieving their goals. It is extremely important that you write down your reasons for wanting to achieve each specific goal. For example, if your goal is to "lose 20 pounds in 6 months," write down the reason you want to lose that weight. Here's another tip: Make it "personal and emotional." The more "emotional" the cause, the more likely it is that you will be pushed toward the goal. So, let's say you have children. An example of a good "cause" is "I know that being overweight is a major cause of many health problems - I will lose 20 pounds and become healthier so that I do not burden my children, and can stay healthy long enough. Attend my daughter's wedding and be there to carry my grandchildren." All of these things are important to you of course. :-) But I'm sure you got the picture. - "Write it down and subtract it!" Usually it's not a good idea to just think about goals in your head. You need to write down all of your specific goals and your "reasons for this," and then paste them where you'll look at them each day. Don't write it on a notebook and put it in the tray. Instead, stick it on your dressing table mirror or anywhere else on the horizon. Remember, "Out of sight, out of mind!" Don't be overly ambitious. Aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week, maximum! Losing more than this amount is harmful to you. This is most likely due to the loss of water and / or muscle, rather than the unwanted extra body fat. - Be realistic and "go with the flow." The pounds didn't build up overnight, so don't expect them to disappear in a jiffy either. Sometimes, weight loss isn't as fast (or big) as planned. But don't get nervous, because stress will only add to the weight. It is important that you do not think of losing weight as an "all-or-nothing" process. Instead, think of it as "slowly but surely". The weight might go a little bit higher at times, but if you stick to your plan, you'll still be happy with the end of the year! Use these simple steps and make a positive difference in your life this year! Good luck, may God reward you! Copyright 2006 Tracy Lee