How to Lose Weight and Make This New Year's Resolution Count

Are you feeling bloated and ready to shed those extra pounds you added during the holiday season? If so, you’re not alone. Not surprisingly, according to goskills.com “exercise more” and “lose weight” rank as the first and second most popular new year's resolutions in 2019. It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that both resolutions are much easier said than done.

Changing the way you live can seem like an impossible task, but it’s not! Even small adjustments to your daily routine can have a dramatic impact on your overall health. So how can you get into a routine that sets you up for success instead of failure? Here are a few tips to help you stick to your goals and slim down in the new year.

Meal Prep:

It may seem like a lot of work, but planning out and preparing your meals ahead of time each week can pay off big time when it comes to losing weight and staying healthy. Nobody wants to slave away in the kitchen preparing a healthy meal after a hard day of work. Unfortunately, too often this means settling for fast food or snacking on junk food all night instead of eating a wholesome meal. Take a few hours each weekend to chop up your favorite veggies and grill up some protein and you’re far more likely to stick with your plan to eat healthier. Not only will this help you lose weight, but if you can commit to a healthy diet you may soon find yourself with more energy during the day!

Gym Membership:

Eating healthy is great, but regular exercise can help speed up your metabolism and is also a huge part of losing weight. It can be difficult to motivate yourself to exercise in the winter months when the weather is cold, but spending money on a gym membership can be great motivator to get you back into shape before the summer swimsuit season. If you already have a gym membership, sign up for a spin class or yoga. It may seem daunting at first, but exercising doesn’t have to be painful! Find a friend that also wants to get back into shape and shed some weight and you can help hold each other accountable while having fun at the same time!

Be Specific and Realistic About Your Goals:

It’s not enough just to say you want to lose weight or exercise more. If you go in without a plan, you’re far more likely to revert back to your old habits. Instead of saying you’re going to eat healthier, set a specific goal of replacing your favorite unhealthy snack with fruits and vegetables or regularly exercising for thirty minutes three times a week. Start slow and allow yourself to indulge every once in a while. If you can skip the sweets and replace them with a healthier option three or four days of the week, you’re on the right track to a healthier lifestyle that is actually sustainable. The same goes for exercise. Whether it’s working out at the gym, playing basketball at lunch, or walking around the mall, set a schedule at stick to it!

Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself:

Lifestyle changes are hard and there will inevitably be set backs. Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself and don’t throw in the towel just because you had a bad week. Make a plan and stick to it, but if you falter here and there, that’s okay! Choosing to live a healthier lifestyle is a long-term goal. If you don’t see dramatic results early on, don’t give up. Keep at it and in the long run you will be grateful you did!

_{https://www.goskills.com/Soft-Skills/Articles/Top-10-new-years-resolutions, https://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/healthy-eating-habits-for-more-energy/, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/how-to-boost-your-metabolism}