HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

With the Christmas and New Year's festivities fast approaching, many of us will no doubt end up over indulging and spend a lot of our time eating and drinking far too much.

This is then followed by another of our favourite past times, which is to make a list of New Year's resolutions that we want to achieve.

Many of us may decide to stop smoking, visit our family and friends more often, give up drinking, exercise more and of course the most common one, lose weight!

After overdoing it with the food and drink over the Christmas period, the temptation to continue in the same vein is everywhere. It's one thing to make your New Year's resolutions, sticking to it is a totally different challenge.

So how can you start and most importantly, continue to follow your New Year's weight loss resolution through to completion?

Tips For Sticking To Your New Year's Weight Loss Resolution

• 1. Be honest with yourself or you will only be cheating yourself. Work out where you've gone wrong in the past and promise to change it.
• 2. Track your progress by keeping a log or diary - Keeping a record of what you eat can make a real difference. It's so easy to 'forget' the odd sweet or biscuit that we pop into our mouths without even thinking about it.
• 3. Treat yourself - Never totally deprive yourself of everything 'naughty'. This will just make you crave it even more. Allow yourself the odd treat as a reward for your efforts, as this will help you to remain motivated.
• 4. Reduce your portion sizes - Cutting down on certain foods and drink or simply reducing your portion sizes may be all you need to do in order to see results. Try eating until you are 80% full rather than eating so much that you feel bloated.
• 5. Friends and family - Get your friends and family to join you in your quest. This will make it more fun and you will be able to support and encourage each other along the way.
• 6. Set realistic goals - It is so easy to lose focus and stray from the plan. So start by setting yourself small realistic goals, these are far easier to achieve than any long term goals. When you reach your goals treat yourself in some way, having something in mind as you reach for these small goals will make it easier.
• 7. Remember that losing weight isn't just about being slim. It's about being healthy by changing your lifestyle and the way you think about food.
• 8. Fit exercise into your daily life - Like so many people in January, you don't have to hit the gym full pelt. Start by going for a gentle walk or jog, visit your local swimming pool, go to a Zumba class or an aerobics class, whatever you choose, just make sure it's something that you enjoy doing or you will soon be making excuses as to why you can't do it! Exercising for just 30 minutes per day can make the world of difference.
• 9. Don't mistake dehydration for hunger - Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day can help with weight loss. Hunger can quite often be a sign that you are actually dehydrated and need water, so always drink a glass and wait for 15 minutes before you reach for food.
• 10. Don't give up - Everybody will slip up at some point ( we are only human after all) but it doesn't mean you have failed. Get right back on track and be proud of yourself!
• 11. Stay away from dietary fads - A realistic, sensible eating plan that you can happily stick to will mean a longer lasting weight loss and make you a happier person in the process.

So what help is out there for us if we feel we need a plan to follow rather than go it alone? Well, there are many weight loss programs that you can follow either at home, online or by attending a weekly meeting.

Weight Loss Programs

The Caveman Diet - As the name suggests, this eating plan takes us back to the days of the caveman. It advocates a diet based on lean meats, raw vegetables, nuts and berries, whilst abstaining from foods such as sugar and refined carbohydrates. Read more about the Caveman Diet here.

The Cambridge Diet Is a meal replacement diet. A Cambridge consultant will help guide you through the programmes, giving you advice on preparation, stabilisation and maintenance.

Weight Watchers - Attend weekly meetings, or follow the plan online. At the weekly meetings you will be supported by a Weight Watchers leader. Each week you will be weighed and given all the information you need to change the way you think about food, so you can sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Rosemary Conley - Attend weekly meetings that include a 45 minute exercise class. Again you will have the support of a leader who will help you become healthier and reach your ideal goal weight.

Slimming World - Attend weekly meetings or follow the plan online. Have the support of a Slimming World leader to guide you to a new way of eating.

Of course there are many other eating plans that you can follow. Just remember, it isn't about how quickly you lose weight, but how safely. The most important part of losing weight is for you to become fitter and healthier. Losing weight means changing your lifestyle and the way you think about food for evermore.

So here's to a Happy New Year and a Happy New You!

Image courtesy of Bahrain Personal Trainer