Weight Loss Information

Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes that Last - A New Look at New Years Resolutions


Would you run out of fingers, and maybe even toes, if you used them to count your tries at adopting a healthy lifestyle? Many of us would. The reason? Often it's that we need to change how we try to make changes. How we make the journey, not whether we always reach our exact goals, determines our success. And how we make the journey is really about our ability to support ourselves along the way, instead of falling back into judgmental and self-defeating ways of thinking and doing.

If you're thinking about making another run at a healthy lifestyle, consider these steps along the way.

Get real

Whether we're trying to start eating healthier or become more physically active, the first step is to be clear about our goals...and clear whether they are something we can achieve. For example, if you currently walk once a week, and you begin to strive for five, what's the chance you'll get there regularly? Immediately trying to fit four extra workouts into your busy week may leave you struggling. Instead, think about an initial goal of walking twice a week. Small increases --'baby steps' -- build on success. As you feel good about your ability to do one extra walk, you'll see your motivation ratchet up for another, 'til you reach that higher goal.

Get committed

We're talking about energy and dedication to find healthy behaviors that work for you. Which of these statements sounds like you? "I'll try to walk twice a week," or "I'm committed to walking twice a week." It's much easier to shrug off the former promise to yourself. If it doesn't feel right to say you're committed to something, explore why. Is the goal you've set really right for you?

Give up 'shoulds'

A tangle of beliefs and thoughts about what we 'should' do or where we 'should' be with our fitness and health can threaten our ability to find what's right for us. Refuse to follow the latest and greatest new diet. Make peace with your body size, and buy a flattering outfit for that important event rather than trying to lose weight to fit into an old favorite. You may still be able to improve your fitness, but you don't have to put feeling good on hold until you do.

Get assertive

Does everyone around you have opinions about what's best for you? Exercise your right to make your own choices. That also means putting yourself first. If you don't make it a priority to care for yourself, you won't be at your best in caring for others either.

Reward yourself

Build your self image as a winner by acknowledging and celebrating your small successes with ways that are meaningful to you. It's all about feeling good and keeping yourself going.

Remind yourself

Whether it's remembering to eat lunch, or getting in that two-mile walk, add your new behaviors to your 'to do' list. When you check them off as done, you'll also give yourself an extra boost of satisfaction.

Seek support

Support is one of the key predictors of success at lifestyle change. Buddy up with friends or family to accomplish your goals, read inspirational books or success stories. Join support groups, or seek the help of a qualified therapist or counselor if needed.

Remember: While it may seem to take a lot of work when we first start making healthy lifestyle changes, they become second nature after a while. So hang in there with your new positive behaviors. Soon, they'll just be the way you do things.

©2004 Green Mountain at Fox Run, Ludlow, Vermont.

Marsha J. Hudnall, MS, RD, CD is director of health communications and senior nutritionist at Green Mountain at Fox Run. For over 32 years, Green Mountain at Fox Run has developed and refined a life-changing program exclusively for women seeking permanent strategies from a healthy weight loss program. weight loss progam. Based on a combination of proven science and what works in the real world, our innovative 'non-diet' lifestyle program offers an integrated curriculum of practical, liveable techniques that helps women take charge of their eating, their bodies and their health. Our approach is not focused on just losing weight but on how to keep it off for a lifetime. Our participants' long-term weight loss results are among the highest of any program, as documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature. Learn more about our fitness and healthy Weight Loss Spa


MORE RESOURCES:

Safest Weight Loss Surgery for Britons Travelling Abroad
PR Web (press release), WA - 6 hours ago
To have the best chance of successful long term weight loss, patients also need to have on-going support and contact, to help them through the process. ...


Synovis anticipates gains from weight-loss surgeries
Trading Markets (press release), CA - 4 hours ago
During a conference call with investors Wednesday, Kramp acknowledged that weight-loss surgeries could be considered "somewhat elective. ...


SMART WOMAN: The Psychological War of Weight Loss
WLNE-TV (ABC6), RI - 5 minutes ago
Learn how to discipline yourself at the dinner table and around food in general. ABC 6 Anchor Allison Alexander has the full story. ...


Effects of Perilipin (PLIN) Gene Variation on Metabolic Syndrome ...
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, MD - 8 hours ago
After intervention, subjects carrying minor allele T at PLIN6 had increased weight loss (3.3 ± 3.7 vs. 1.9 ± 3.4 kg; P = 0.002) and increased loss of the ...


Examiner.com

Is eating organic the best kept weight loss secret?
Examiner.com - 10 hours ago
by Sarah Dussault, Boston Fitness Examiner Could eating organic be the best kept weight loss secret? After reading various studies for a recent video, ...


Teacher gains from high-tech weight-loss program
Bellingham Herald, WA - 22 hours ago
The 52-year-old Bellingham resident had no idea the solution would be an innovative weight-loss program at Bellingham Athletic Club, involving a high-tech ...


Rude Remarks: How to Handle the Weight Loss Saboteur
Beliefnet.com, NY - 11 hours ago
Every so often, someone says something to me about my newly found thinness that is upsetting and sends me reeling. (Yes, it's been seven years since I ...


Examiner.com

Vegetarian/vegan diet for lasting weight loss
Examiner.com - 10 hours ago
by Peggy Kraus, Disease Prevention Examiner Vegetarians [and vegans] have a slightly higher metablolic rate during rest, meaning that they burn up more ...


Weight loss super pill?
WBXH, LA - Dec 3, 2008
By Phil Rainier - bio | email Is it a weight loss super pill? Scientists at Baton Rouge's Pennington Biomedical Research Center say it's possible. ...


Kimberly Garrison: How Winner won weight loss fight
Philadelphia Daily News, PA - 15 hours ago
The weight loss became my license to go back to poor eating habits," Bob said. He regained 60 pounds. Luckily, that was his wake-up call. ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map | Home Site
© 2006