Short Term Resolve Does Not Work in the Long Run

Setting a goal to lose unwanted weight over the next year is a simple resolve but shedding pounds and keeping them off requires setting small attainable goals. Moreover, it is important to celebrate milestones to boost your efforts. Although most people feel they will be successful when selecting a New Year’s resolution, very few engage in the goal setting that defines their resolution in terms of measurable goals. It is easier to lose weight if you focus on losing a pound a week. Short-term resolve for making dietary changes will not be good for the long run. Although you may lose some weight, you will likely gain it back because you did not include plans for making permanent lifestyle changes. Don’t make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight unless it is something you really want to do. Studies show that engaging in weight loss out of self-mandated pressure means you’re not likely to stick with it.

• Identify Culprits for Overeating - Food cravings can lead to an overindulgence of food, usually the overeating of carbohydrate and fat-rich foods that often prove to be harmful for the person’s health.
• Avoid Foods with Added Sugars - Consuming too many foods and beverages with added sugars makes it difficult to achieve a healthy eating pattern and provide no essential nutrients.
• Include Extra Protein in Diet - Menu plans that include lean protein are more satiating compared to low-protein diets making it easier to manage between-meal cravings.
• Eat More Fiber to Feel Full - Consume more fiber. This will help you feel full longer after meals or snacks. Foods high in fiber include lentils, lima beans, artichokes, green peas, and broccoli.
• Include Good Fats - Consuming healthy fats adds balance to your diet, so enjoy small amounts of fat from good sources like those found in fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
• Limit Liquid Sugar Intake - Since sugary drinks do not promote feelings of fullness, liquids can be more damaging to your weight-loss efforts versus consuming carbohydrates in solid form.

It is okay to set ambitious goals if they are realistic and based on your timeline, resources, and motivation. However, be clear about your intentions and create a plan that breaks your long-term goal into attainable milestones to stay on track. Never get discouraged if you are not seeing the results on the scale as quickly as you had hoped. Since goals need to be attainable, your resolution may need to be tweaked a little bit to change things that aren’t working well for you. It will always help if you have an idea of how much food your body requires to lose or maintain your existing weight. This will provide a good starting point for making healthy food choices every day. 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.