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:

Weight Loss Hypnosis: Lose Weight While Sleeping
CBS 4, FL - 13 hours ago
MIAMI (CBS4) ― Snooze and loose: that's right! There is a way to lose weight while you sleep and now, people say it's taking all the work out of dieting. ...


Weight Loss
TheStorygroup.com, GA - 7 hours ago
Try Our Wide Selection of Weight Loss Programs, Diet Pills or Fat Burner Plans Now! Don't underestimate low level of depression. ...


PEERtrainer Launches 'Tip Of The Day' Weight Loss Coaching Newsletter
PR Web (press release), WA - 10 hours ago
Subjects covered include weight loss, nutrition, fitness, preventive health and motivation. New York, New York (PRWEB) November 22, 2008 -- PEERtrainer has ...


TheMedGuru

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 19, 2008
Now researchers have found that obese women who undergo weight-loss surgery before becoming pregnant are less likely to have pregnancy-related health ...
Weight-loss surgery helps with pregnancy: study Reuters
Some Pregnancy-Related Complications Minimized for Women Who Have ... MarketWatch
Go for pre-pregnancy weight loss surgery Times of India
TheMedGuru - U.S. News & World Report
all 58 news articles


LA Weight Loss Announces Closing of Eau Claire Facility
WQOW TV News 18, Eau Claire - Nov 21, 2008
LA Weight Loss just announced its closing in Eau Claire next Wednesday. When News 18 contacted the corporate offices, they sent us this statement: "We wish ...


Weight Loss Blog: Getting Started
TheDenverChannel.com, CO - Nov 20, 2008
I keep hearing Oprah Winfrey in my head saying if there was a magic pill to weight loss, she'd have it. If the woman who can afford personal trainers and ...


Weight loss can cause excess, flabby skin
Tulsa World, OK - Nov 21, 2008
Dear Reader: First, I would like to congratulate your granddaughter on her astonishing weight loss. Skin is very stretchy and often reshapes as weight is ...


Weight Loss in Progress
ireport - 17 hours ago
I have slowed the weight loss down, but have lost 60 lbs since the 3rd week of June. My goal: To lose a total of 120 lbs to get to my ideal weight, ...


Weight Loss Surgery Helps Obese Women Have Healthier Babies
New York Times, United States - Nov 19, 2008
By RONI CARYN RABIN Women who become pregnant after weight-loss surgery have easier pregnancies and healthier babies than do obese women who become pregnant ...


That Happened!

Weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy
That Happened!, New York - Nov 20, 2008
New York - Researchers have found that weight-loss surgery bodes well for pregnancy. They found that women who had weight loss surgery before becoming ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006