Weight Loss New Year’s Resolution
It’s that time of year again. Christmas has passed, family members have gone home, and it’s time to focus on you!
And what better way to start 2012 than a weight loss New Year’s resolution?
Weight loss and fitness are probably two of the most common New Year’s resolutions. And who can blame us, we all want to look and feel better. But you may still be missing the mark when it comes to your weight loss goals.
So let’s go over what I believe are the keys to weight loss success in 2012.
Keys to Weight Loss Success
1. Be Realistic – The truth is, most people aren’t realistic when it comes to their new year’s resolutions, especially when those resolutions involve weight loss. Losing 40 pounds in a month is simply not realistic (and in fact, it’s probably a bit dangerous).
Start by getting to know your body. Weigh yourself, take some measurements of key areas of focus, and consider calculating your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI is a good measure of how healthy your weight is based on your height. Taking account of these factors is a good starting point, as they’ll give you an idea of how far you need to go.
I recommend keeping all of this information in a notebook and doing regular self-assessments at least every 2 weeks. This is also a great way of tracking your progress throughout your weight loss efforts, and seeing progress on paper can be a huge motivation in itself. There’s actually a great notebook on the market that can help you track all of your weight loss and fitness information in one place. Check out the Fitlosophy Fitbook here.
2. Set Specific Goals – Now that you have a clearer idea of where you’re at, you need to set specific and practical weight loss goals. When I sit down with my clients to plan their workouts with them, I always set short-term and long-term goals. You need short-term goals to keep you motivated and see progress along the way, but you need that long-term goal to represent your full potential.
Be as specific about these goals as possible. For example, you can make your first short-term goal to lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks – as you work towards your long-term goal of losing 40 pounds in 6 months. You should also set a specific timeline with milestones along the way that you plan on achieving. Get visual with this. Post something on your fridge and keep all of this information in your notebook. Specific goals will increase your chances of success.
3. Execute Your Strategy – Now that you have your personal data, a functional notebook, and some specific goals to work towards, you need to know how to execute them. You should develop a specific plan as to how you’ll reach your goals. Maybe it’s hitting the gym 3 days a week, or running 4 morning a week. Something as simple as adding a yoga class to your workout routine can help you get closer to your weight loss goals.
It’s important that you view your weight loss goals as a journey, rather than as a battle. Incorporating lifestyle changes that can withstand time will be more effective than any fad diet. And I always recommend hitting things from all angles. Workouts that combine cardiovascular and resistance (weight training) are the most effective for weight loss.
And always aim for a balanced, whole foods diet low in fat and sugar. If you’re looking for a little jumpstart, then I’d suggest trying Irwin Naturals Green Tea Fat Metabolizer. It’s great for providing you with a little kick in the beginning, which can be a huge motivator for seeing your New Year’s resolution through to success! Also make sure to check out my ultra popular articles Top 10 Workout Supplements for Women & Top 10 Workout Supplements for Men.
Have any questions or feedback about weight loss New Year’s resolutions? Please leave a comment below…
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