As we wrap up the holiday season, more than a few of us are dealing with those extra unwanted holiday pounds. Of course, when dealing with the extra weight, many people make it their New Year’s resolution to shed those pesky pounds. While there are several ways to lose weight, there are certain things you need to keep in mind to reach your goals successfully, and keeping that weight off long-term.

1) Create realistic goals

Deciding how much weight you would like to lose is important. Whether you want to lose the exact amount gained, or you’re aiming for a few more, is something you need to determine in a healthy manner. While making this decision, you can’t look at pictures of models in magazine and say that’s what you want to look like.

Please remember that these women aren’t realistic role models to try and live up too. Understand that everyone has a different body type, and those women were photo shopped to look that way. Another obstacle to tackle when setting goals is trying to lose a large amount of weight in a small amount of time.

Losing weight is not an overnight achievement, and often times if it is it won’t be long term. Along with this, every woman will lose weight at a different pace. Never be discouraged by your weight loss. If one week you don’t lose as much as you had hoped, let that be the motivation to get focused and work that much harder the next week.

2) Eat Breakfast

For those of you still skipping breakfast, please do yourself a favour and start eating in the mornings. As we age our metabolism begins to slow down, and eating breakfast helps to jumpstart your ability to burn more calories throughout the day. Not only will it help your metabolism, but it will give you more energy to get through your day.

3) Eat Things you Enjoy

This does not mean go out and have McDonalds and chocolate at every meal.  Find healthy foods that you enjoy eating, try new recipes and look for things you find delicious that won’t stretch out your belt. Often people will diet on foods that are very healthy, but they don’t find enjoyable. This makes it that much harder to fight cravings when they arise.

Find substitutes for what you love and allow yourself to indulge once in awhile. For example, if you’re a big chocolate fan, limit your intake and try eating dark chocolate instead.  Attempting to transition from holiday foods, to celery and carrots will not help you in your search for successful weight loss.

4) Stay Away From Fad Diets

Diet pills, crash diets and everything else that falls into this category is not worth it. As previously stated, if you’re looking for healthy, realistic and long term weight loss, do not give into the temptation of a quick fix.

Not only will you be selling yourself short, you will be taking a risk with your health. Compare diet pills and fad diets to a rushed relationship: full of empty promises, short term gain, and ultimately long term disappointment.

5) Exercise

This is the most important part of weight loss, but, understandably, it is also the most cringe worthy. Whether you join a gym, or simply start walking outside, you need to be active everyday in some way for at least 30 minutes. If you have a hard time motivating yourself to do this, find a friend or family member who will work out with you.

You will find that you push each other to work harder, and it also gives you your own support group to keep you focused on your goal. Don’t just workout for your weight loss, either: do this to become a more healthy person in every way.

Of course there are many ways to lose those pounds and become more healthy. However, these methods should be included in any diet plans you have for yourself. It is important that when trying to lose weight that you stay realistic with your goals, and most of all positive. Find motivation within yourself, and remember that weight loss takes time, but with time comes success.

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About the author

Erin English