It’s a new year! And not surprisingly, losing weight ranks as the number one new year’s resolution. Many people begin with the best of intentions — diet, exercise, heathy living. But come February, many of our resolutions fall away. It’s important not to get discouraged! A new year means a new way of doing things, and you should begin with a positive mindset.
Most of the time, we quit because we get discouraged and give up hope that things can change. At Healthy Living Primary Care, we refuse to let anyone give up on themselves. That’s why we’ve compiled some helpful tips on how to make your weight loss resolution work. These solutions will help you think positively and realistically about achieving your body image goals.
Set Achievable Goals
Does this sound familiar? “I’m going to lose 25 pounds.” This is not a bad resolution, but unless you couple it with actionable goals and benchmarks, you may soon lose heart. Instead of setting a big-picture goal, give yourself smaller, attainable goals within the first few weeks. For example:
- I’m going to walk 15 minutes a day.
- I’m going to have a serving of vegetables every day.
- I will cook at home three times a week.
From there, you can add more workouts and healthier eating habits. Before you know it, eating well and exercising will incorporate naturally into your routine.
Celebrate the Little Victories
This pairs with setting achievable goals. When you’re able to stick to a plan for a few weeks, pat yourself on the back. Healthy living starts with taking one small step at a time.
Don’t Deprive Yourself
After the lavish meals and decadent desserts of the holiday season, natural foods start looking quite desirable. Healthy eating doesn’t mean starving yourself. If you want to change your lifestyle, you must change the way you perceive food. To ensure you stay on track, consider these eating tips:
- Healthy food can be delicious. Have a cooking night in with friends to explore unfamiliar nutritious meal ideas.
- Don’t keep your trigger foods in the house. But don’t resolve to never eat them again, either. Instead, after a week of sticking to your new healthy foods, give yourself a little treat. This will make you less likely to binge eat.
- Meal prep! Plan a week’s worth of lunches and dinners. You can even make meal boxes before the work week, lessening the need to cook on weeknights.
- Eat a nourishing breakfast. It’s a great way to kick-start your metabolism and keep you full until lunchtime. Smoothies provide a healthy option, especially for those who aren’t as hungry in the morning.
Get Some Accountability
Attending the gym with a friend makes you less likely to skip. Find someone who will encourage your healthy habits. Whether it’s a walking buddy or small group sharing recipes, the accountability and encouragement gained from supportive relationships solidifies your resolve.
Treat Stubborn Fat Pockets With SculpSure
Try not to be discouraged by problematic areas of fat. Sometimes, despite diet and exercise, certain parts of our bodies won’t diminish. That’s where SculpSure can help. This FDA-approved laser procedure uses light-based technology to eliminate 24 percent of fat cells in a treated area. It is non-invasive and painless, and only takes 25 minutes per session.
Start Working Toward Your New Year’s Resolution Today
Meeting with Dr. Joy Liu at Healthy Living Primary Care can kick off your new year’s resolution plan. We offer free consultations to those interested in SculpSure. The procedure provides tangible results over 12 weeks, so you can stay motivated to continue your healthy living habits.