The start of a new year often inspires us to create goals and resolutions for the year ahead. Everything from business goals to personal goals makes the list, but typically in the top five resolutions is losing weight and exercising more, or getting healthy in general. However, what often happens as we delve deeper into the year is we find ourselves less focused on our resolutions. Here are a few tips to help you stick to your New Year’s diet resolutions.
Have a realistic weight loss goal
Twenty pounds in two weeks sounds pretty good on paper, but realistically for most people, it isn’t doable. And if you’re not reaching your goal quickly enough you may give up before you see results. Aiming for a healthy 1-2 pounds a week is ideal, use that to create a plan that works for you and keeps you consistently losing weight.
Set up a reward system
Think about creating a list of rewards for yourself when you reach certain milestones, like losing five pounds or completing your workouts for an entire month. Make your final goal the biggest so you’re always looking forward.
Make this a shared effort
Joining up with a friend who has similar resolutions can help keep you on track. Link up on a fitness app, and you can challenge each other for extra incentive. You can also use this as a friendly game, like the person with the least amount of steps for the week buys lunch.
Stay hydrated
Water can help you feel full with zero extra calories and a ton of health benefits. Try drinking a glass before meals to keep from overeating.
Try a new class or routine
One of the problems with exercise is that it can become boring doing the same thing several times a week. To break out of a workout slump try a new class or gym machine. If you love cardio machines maybe try a dance class, or if you like yoga try a swim class instead.
Invest in yourself
Your health is one of the most vital things in your life you should invest in it. By purchasing healthy food and a gym membership you’re adding to your quality and perhaps the quantity of your life. If you are on a budget there are plenty of resources to help you reach your goal, online workout videos and discount grocers are just a few that are available.
Remember that losing weight and getting healthy is a sprint and not a race. To maintain your results you have to commit to a lifestyle change. To keep you motivated don’t lose sight of why you started.