Monday, 21st of December 2009 at 11:52:03 AM
Many people make resolutions to lose weight every year, but are these types of weight loss resolutions doomed? Here's what you need to know.
Over dinner last night my husband announced that he was going to be making a resolution to lose weight this New Year’s. I supported this wholeheartedly, but in the back of my mind I kept thinking – I’ve heard this before. There have been more than one New Year’s when both of us have made this resolution and what I have found from my own experiences is that weight loss resolutions are doomed from the start.
So why are weight loss resolutions doomed you may wonder. Well, the first reason is simple – it gives you an excuse to fully “enjoy” Christmas and all of its delicious goodies. In fact, this is exactly what my husband said… “Until January 1st I’m going to allow myself to eat whatever I want”. These words are a recipe for disaster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he manages to gain anywhere between 5-10 pounds easily up to New Year’s and this is quite common for most people who make weight loss resolutions. At a healthy rate of losing weight (about 2 pounds a week), this post-Christmas weight gain will take anywhere from two to five weeks to lose. So right away, he’s making losing weight harder than it needs to be.
Another reason I feel that weight loss resolutions are doomed is because making healthy changes the morning of January 1st is often really difficult. If you have been out the night before celebrating the New Year you many not feel up to getting out for a walk or making a healthy meal for yourself. Only the truly dedicated resolutioners will stick to it, while most of us will opt for a comfort breakfast at IHOP and a relaxing day on the couch – promising to start the diet “tomorrow”. For many, “tomorrow” gets postponed over and over and this let down, this un-kept promise you made to yourself, gives you a feeling of failure. Already you feel negative and down about dieting and you haven’t even started yet.
Weight Loss Resolutions Poll
If you are one of the thousands of people who are making a New Year’s resolution to lose weight this year then don’t despair – all is not doom and gloom. First of all, congratulations on setting a goal for yourself and deciding to make healthier changes in your life. This is great! Now, to get your weight loss resolution started off on the right foot, here are a few tips:
- Don’t overindulge on Christmas goodies. If you make a decision right now to take more from the veggie tray than the cookie tray you may not experience the post-Christmas weight gain that is so common in weight loss resolutioners.
- Drink plenty of water over the holidays. Drinking water helps to increase your metabolism and keeps you hydrated after those salty Christmas meals. Choose to have a glass of water over eggnog or alcohol and you will save yourself lots of empty calories too.
- Prepare ahead of time for January 1st. Buy yourself some healthy foods that you can start your diet with on January 1st. If you have these foods on hand you will be much less likely to choose an unhealthy option and you can get started on your diet right away.
- Find a weight loss buddy to start dieting with you. It is often really helpful to have someone who will start a diet with you. This will help to keep you motivated and you can motivate them in return. Finding a good friend or your partner who wants to make a resolution to lose weight as well can make things easier.
- Tell one, tell all. One of the best ways to get yourself motivated about losing weight in the New Year is telling people that you have made a weight loss resolution. The more people you tell the better. Not only will they be able to offer you support if you want it, but telling people makes you accountable.
I hope that everyone who makes a resolution to lose weight this year has the utmost success. If a resolution is the best way for you to start a diet, then go for it and just be aware of some of the pitfalls that exist and what you can do to avoid them. I wish everyone good health and happiness in the year to come!
Other Related Posts and Articles you May Find Interesting: “Big Fat Excuses”, “Best Time to Start a Diet”, “10 Best Weight Loss Tips for Thanksgiving” and “Weight Loss Tips for a Party Night”.
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At Christmas parties I have taken to avoiding the buffet table at all costs. I do not hang out near the food, I make my self circulate the room which in the end makes for more fun because I talk to more people. If I have to eat, I will go for the shrimp cocktail or veggie tray or some other healthier option. Don’t hang out near the pigs in the blanket! Instead of booze, I usually carry a wine glass full of club soda and lime, and keep sipping. This way no one bothers you if you are drinking or not because they automatically assume you are. In addition, you can always head to the ladies’ room, or outside for some fresh air if temptation becomes too great.
What I do at the appy table is I put only 2 appies on a napkin and then I walk away. That way I get a “taste” of the nibblies and it satisfies my need to “graze.” At holiday parties I always try to eat a healthy dinner before I go so that I am not starving when I get there. I also drink a water after every alcoholic drink and I only sip my drinks so they last a really long time.
My resolution every year is always to try and lose weight. Unfortunately it only lasts about 2 weeks or so and I am back to my old ways. This year I have been doing a tone of research on diet supplements and I decided to order some phentraminD appetite suppressants (I got them online). They say you can lose up to 25 lbs in a month so come Januray 1st here goes nothing!