New Year’s Resolutions – Getting Back on Track

by Lisa Nelson RD

Not too long ago I spoke to people eager to start working towards their New Year’s resolutions. This would be the year they lost the extra pounds! Gradually that conviction has started to fade. We are not even a quarter of the way through 2008, so there is still plenty of time to achieve your New Year’s resolution. Here are some steps to get back on track.

-  Remember why you set your resolution in the first place. Was your goal to lose weight so you would have more energy to do activities with your family? Or maybe you want to lose weight to boost your self esteem, participate in an outdoor adventure vacation, or improve your health by lowering your cholesterol or blood pressure.

-  Place your resolution in a location you will see daily, such as on your refrigerator door. This way every morning you will be reminded to take the necessary steps to achieve your goal, whether it is heading to the gym, not reaching for the sweets at work, or packing a lunch instead of eating out.

-  Tell others about your resolution and how you plan to achieve your goal. Friends and family can help you by giving the extra support you need to stick with it.

-  Seek professional help. Did you join a gym but are overwhelmed by the equipment or think you look foolish because you are unsure what you are doing? Meet with a personal trainer to learn how the equipment works and and be shown a workout that will meet your goals. Are you trying to eat healthier by reading food labels but do not know what you should be looking for on the label? Seek out the help of a nutrition specialist or dietitian to show you how to make healthier choices. Nutrition specialists are available to you through the Balance Program or Mini Diet Makeover.

-  Track you progress to stay motivated. Mark on the calendar the days you work out as a visual of progress you are making towards your goal. Check your weight monthly to chart results or if you are working on lowering your blood pressure/cholesterol visit your physician to monitor progress.
I wish you the best of luck making your 2008 New Year’s Resolutions a reality!

About the Author:

Lisa Nelson, RD is the founder and owner of eNutritionServices providing online nutrition counseling and education focused on individual needs. Lisa is also a certified provider of Real Living Nutrition Services. To learn more visit Lisa at http://www.RealLivingNutrition.com/LisaNelson.aspx.