Expand Your New Year’s Resolution to Include All Year

You reduce the chance of experiencing weight loss failure by expanding your timeline for achieving realistic weight loss results. When you can envision what you want to achieve, the course of action should be clear. Don’t just state a lofty resolution. Establish a plan and you’ll be better equipped for attaining a successful outcome. Listing the bad eating habits and lifestyle issues that you know are hurting your weight loss efforts will create a solid foundation for your weight loss plan and can help focus your resolve. If you have a detailed picture in your mind as to what your New Year’s resolution will entail, it will be much easier to see the course of action that can get you there.

• Unrealistic Weight Loss Goals - Unrealistic goals can lead to yo-yo dieting, which can lead to unwanted weight cycling. Be demanding of yourself but embrace realistic weight loss goals.
• Resolution Too Vague - Take the time to correctly word your resolution to improve your chance of success. These are your life goals that should be fine-tuned and personalized for your body’s unique chemistry.
• Lack of Planning - New Year’s resolutions can help you shed weight, but it takes work and commitment that begins with mindful planning.
• Lack of Support - Having an exercise buddy can help to remind you that every day is a new day and offers an opportunity to do it all over again.
• Lack of Motivation - Studies show that people who believe their resolution will succeed are more likely to do so. That’s why it is important to focus on the positive as well as to celebrate your achievements.
• Slow to Recover from Setbacks - Unless you are quick to recover from a setback, one slip up like eating donuts at work can derail your New Year’s resolution. Always react to setbacks in a timely manner.

It is okay to set ambitious goals if they are realistic and based on your timeline, resources, and motivation. However, to stay on track, be clear about your intentions and create a plan that breaks your long-term goal into attainable milestones. Specific goals can be helpful for weight loss as they focus on changing behaviors and habits that are necessary for achieving a desired outcome. Process goals include details of how you intend to reach your outcome goals for a successful resolution. If you cannot measure a goal, it is difficult to determine how successful you’ve been at achieving that goal. So, make sure your weight loss goals have measurable timelines. Off-the-cuff weight loss resolutions may or may not be helpful. If your goals are too lofty or overly aggressive, it can undermine your efforts to reduce weight and improve your overall health and wellness.