January 2013

Here we are at the beginning of the year, making resolutions. Perhaps by the time you read this article you have already stopped trying to keep your New Year’s resolution. It is very common. In fact, it is almost predictable that you will. Most people do.

But let’s do it differently this year. Let’s make resolutions that we can keep, that we want to keep. The number one resolution that most people make is to lose weight. A wonderful healthy resolution that I support wholeheartedly. However, the way that most people go about it is a way sure to fail. Most people try too much too fast. The thinking goes something like this: I need to lose weight. So I am going to stop my 3000 calories per day and drop to 1200 by completely changing how I eat. No snacks of any kind. From now on I eat only celery! Okay, seriously, how long do you think that you will stick to this? On the other hand, choose to take out one thing from your diet. Perhaps soda? Or ice cream? Or cookies? Or French fries? Choose one thing. Do that for two weeks, then choose another thing. That is reasonable way to get your eating under control. It also increases your chance of success.

Another common resolution is to get in shape. Same principles apply. If you decide that you are going to go to the gym two hours every day, you will do it for two days and then you will hurt too much to walk, much less exercise. So, again, start in moderation. Walk ten minutes every day. Park in the far end of the parking lot. Take the stairs, not the elevator. After a week, walk 20 minutes. After another week, add 10 more minutes. After a week of that, try running for a minute. But not sprinting! Just a nice jog. Make it so that you can succeed, so that you want to succeed! A reminder thought, be sure that your doctor is okay with any exercise or change in diet that you do.

Whatever your resolution is, the same concepts apply. Take small, slow steps. Do not try to do everything at once. Then you can stick with it. Then a year from now you will be thrilled with how you look and feel. Not to mention quite proud of the progress that you made!

Don’t forget, enjoy the journey!