Published on January 06, 2011
New Year’s Resolutions Done Right
Experts with Dean’s Comprehensive Weight Management Program Talk about Ways to Keep Your Resolution
Take a quick look at the area gyms, fitness clubs and workout facilities and you’ll notice a big increase in attendance during the first few weeks in January. Similarly, many grocery stores report higher sales of healthy foods and produce after all the college bowl games are finished.
It’s like this every year.
Certainly, having a weight-loss resolution for 2011 is a worthy goal. In fact, nothing is more beneficial to your overall health, well-being and general satisfaction than reducing your BMI and increasing your fitness and nutrition levels in the process.
Yet by February, things are pretty much back to normal at the fitness centers and grocery stores. The problem? The big-picture, nonspecific and often unachievable New Year’s resolutions disappear as quickly as holiday lights.
Here are some typical resolutions and how they can be fine-tuned to make them more achievable:
Low “I’m going to lose 50 pounds.”
Better “I’m going to watch what I eat, monitor calories and aim for losing one pound per week or four pounds a month.”
Low “I’m going to exercise more.”
Better “I will begin walking for a half hour, four times a week.”
Low “I’m not going to eat sweets anymore.”
Better “I’ll limit my sweets to two times a week.”
Low “From now on, I’m going to bring my lunch to work.”
Better “I’ll prepare my lunch three times a week.”
Low “I will eat more fiber.”
Better “I will buy more whole-grain breads, fruits and vegetables when I shop.”
The key is to focus on the action, not the general change. Smaller and more manageable action steps provide clarity and focus. If you set deadlines, build in some accountability, keep expectations realistic and reward yourself for victories, your chances for success improve.
Research does indeed show that those who make resolutions are more likely to achieve weight-loss success than those who don’t. Just make the right resolutions, and you’ll be on your way to a slimmer, trimmer 2011.
