The holiday season is a wonderful time of year. However, the weight gain that comes with all of the cookies, brownies and hearty meals tend to not be so wonderful. It can be difficult to shed extra weight from the holidays and for some people it can feel like a nightmare.
Believe it or not, losing weight does not have to be that hard. This is great news for those who plan on getting in better shape as part of their new year’s resolutions. The combination of a positive attitude and the right tips to use as tools will greatly increase your chances of reaching your desired weight.
Check out these helpful tips from Shape Fit.
Write Your Goals Down
If you want to truly do something, write it down. Journals, food diaries and to-do lists are extremely important to your weight loss plan. Brainstorm all of your goals onto one piece of paper and then rewrite each one as a contract with yourself. Put your contract somewhere that will keep you reminded of the promise you have made. The fridge is a great place since this is the main area which will make or break your resolution. Refer to your contract daily to remind yourself of your long-term goal.
Set a Definite Date
If you just say you’re going to meet your goal sometime within the year, that will not work. In fact, you will probably fall into the “I’ll start next week” trap. Instead, mark your calendar for a certain date for each goal that you want to achieve. For example, by March you want to be walking 3 miles a day. Setting a definite date is a great way to make sure you stick with your plan!
Remove The Temptations
Go into your kitchen and remove all bad foods from your refrigerator and pantry. This includes all snack foods such as cakes, pies, cookies, chips, sugar colas, crackers and any “empty calorie” foods that will impede on your weight loss goals. This step is very crucial step since the temptation to cheat will be increased 10-fold if you have cheat foods lingering inside your home. If you don’t remove these tempting items, it will only be a matter of time before you breakdown and dive head first into the cookie jar at 2am in the morning for a binge! Fill your kitchen with healthy, nutrient dense food, such as:
◾Lean protein (chicken breast, turkey breast, fish, egg whites)
◾Fresh fruits (oranges, apples, grapes, strawberries)
◾Raw vegetables (mushrooms, broccoli, squash, green beans, red peppers)
◾Healthy snack foods (non-fat cottage cheese, sugar-free jello, protein bar)
◾Bottled Water
Meet Mini-Goals
Make small changes every week and they will add up in time. It’s easier to move little pebbles than an entire mountain, right? Here are some examples of weekly changes you could incorporate into mini-goals:
◾Week One: Drink 10 glasses of water per day.
◾Week Two: Take the steps at work instead of the elevator.
◾Week Three: Switch to diet sodas.
◾Week Four: Eliminate fried foods.
◾Week Five: Begin eating one vegetarian meal per week.
Document Everything
Keep a detailed record of your weight loss, dietary intake and how your feeling. By keeping this diet diary and journal, you will be able to truly see what your consuming, where your problem areas are, how your emotional state is.
Image Credit: milwfirststep
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