| It's almost time for New Year's resolutions! After | | | | succeed in the long term, you need to get regular |
| singing three rounds of Auld Lang Syne tipping our | | | | exercise and change your diet. Anything less won't |
| glasses to a hearty toast, we look at our friends and | | | | succeed long-term. Sure, you want to change a little at |
| loved ones and declare... | | | | a time, but you need to attack the weight problem on |
| I need to lose weight... | | | | all fronts. Building muscle will help you burn more fat. |
| ...and come mid-February, we ask ourselves why on | | | | 5. Regular cardio. Cardio workouts don't have to be |
| Google Earth we're so guilty for lying to ourselves yet | | | | really complex. If you have an elliptical trainer, then all |
| again! What were we thinking, joining yet another gym | | | | the better--it's low impact for the joints and gives you |
| only to shell out four month's too much on a wasted | | | | a whole body workout. If you don't have one, get to a |
| membership? Why did we tell ourselves and the party | | | | gym where they do. Other cardio workouts include |
| guests "I need to lose weight"--didn't we learn in the | | | | jumping rope, running or jogging, aerobics, and |
| last five years this would happen? | | | | stationary bikes. Just make sure you get at least 1.5-2 |
| So, what is the secret to actually keeping the weight | | | | hours a week if you want to keep your New Year's |
| off this time around? Is it possible to keep New Year's | | | | resolutions to lose weight and get into shape. |
| Resolutions? As a fellow combatant in the battle of | | | | Whatever exercise you choose, it should be |
| the bulge (if by that is meant "pants and shirt buttons | | | | something you enjoy. If you get bored, then change it |
| flying off at the speed of sound"), I propose the | | | | up: spend 10 minutes on the elliptical, quickly hop on the |
| following action points to set yourself a steady course | | | | tread and run for another 10, then change it out to the |
| to keep your New Year's resolution--or anytime of | | | | spin bike for the remaining 10-15. Aim for about 30-45 |
| year--and keep the bulge off for good. | | | | minutes at a time. |
| Action Plan To Lose Weight and Keep It Off | | | | 6. Set up a reward system. Celebrate your success! |
| 1. Get a buddy or two. One of the best ways to keep | | | | Once you have a diet and exercise regimen in place |
| yourself motivated is to simply find other people who | | | | (Weight Watchers has a fantastic, easy-to-use |
| are trying to fit in those special pair of jeans. Don't go | | | | program, by the way), then you should reward yourself |
| this road alone this time--get some friends to keep you | | | | when you reach certain milestones. Don't be overly |
| on your game. | | | | hard on yourself--live a little and have fun with it. Give |
| 2. Set real goals. Setting the bar so high is great if | | | | yourself a pat on the back when you make certain |
| you're planning on walking underneath it. If you want | | | | goals. This will make sure you want to succeed and |
| rather to attain the goal, then be sure you set yourself | | | | continue. |
| some realistic goals. Say, "I'm going to lose 15 pounds | | | | If you want to lose weight and keep it off, these steps |
| by Spring," that's actually attainable. Make your weight | | | | should become habitual. You don't have to be the |
| goals something you can track. Write them down and | | | | same old you, with the big jeans and low |
| put a deadline on them. | | | | self-confidence, this next year. You don't want to |
| 3. Don't change everything at once. Listen, your body is | | | | reach another year's end to declare, "I want to lose |
| used to its diet and lack of exercise. Don't do too | | | | weight!" and start all over. Anyone can lose weight and |
| much at once, just make a change a week or so. | | | | keep their New Year's resolutions if they set their mind |
| These need to sink down and become habits, not just | | | | to it, plan and have a support group to help along the |
| more good intentions. | | | | way. Good luck! |
| 4. Diet and exercise. This is the brass tacks truth--to | | | | |