It should come as no surprise that losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution, and it’s also the most commonly broken resolution. It’s great that so many people want to lose weight and be healthier in the new year, but it would be even better if more people followed through with these resolutions. It’s not going to be easy and you can’t expect to lose 15 pounds in a week, but you can make some small changes and take some simple steps to help keep your weight loss journey on track for longer than just the month of January. In today’s blog, we share some tips for succeeding in your weight loss journey this year.
Sticking To Your Weight Loss Goals
Here’s a look at some surgeon-recommended tips for sticking to your weight loss goals this year.
- Write Them Out – Physically write out your goals, because that helps to make them more real. You’re also less likely to give up early if you physically put pen to paper and write out your goals. It’s also helpful to put these written goals in a place where you’ll see them daily.
- Find An Exercise Buddy – While we understand that it’s your own personal weight loss journey, sometimes find it easier to stick to your goals if you find a workout buddy. As long as they are committed to the same goals, a workout buddy can help you stick to a routine when all you want to do is sleep in and skip your exercise program. Find someone to exercise with, because they’ll help keep your program on track and can make the activity more enjoyable with their company.
- Be Realistic And Shoot For Small Wins – Instead of saying you want to lose 50 pounds this year, set smaller, more attainable goals so you can see more success along the way. Strive for five pounds every month instead of eventually getting down 50 pounds. That way you’ll hit 10 smaller goals and be more likely to stick with your plan because you’re encouraged by your short-term success.
- Meal Plan – If you know what meals are on the horizon, it’s easier to avoid falling into bad eating habits. Plan out your meals a day or even a week in advance so you’re not tempted to pick up McDonald’s on the way home or order a pizza because you don’t want to cook. Thinking ahead about your food choices helps you make positive choices.
- Shop On A Full Stomach – We’re more likely to throw unhealthy food and snack options in our grocery cart if we go shopping on an empty stomach. Many people find it easier to put healthier options in our cart if their stomach isn’t growling when they are walking down the snack aisle. Shop smarter, and you won’t be as tempted to make unhealthy choices at the grocery store.
- Portion Control – Your parents probably told you to finish everything on your plate, but you don’t need to stick to that motto now that you’re older. Put smaller portions on your plate, eat slowly and stop if you’re feeling full. You don’t need to finish your meal if you’re already satisfied, so pack it up and save it for later.
- Celebrate Success – Sticking to a diet plan is actually easier if you cheat a bit and celebrate your success. Rewarding yourself is a great way to keep your long-term health goals on track. Don’t celebrate your weight loss success with a whole pizza, but a slice can be a small reward for all your hard work!
- Talk With A Gastrointestinal Specialist – If you need help creating a weight loss plan tailored to your individual needs, or you’re interested in learning more about weight loss surgery, reach out to a gastrointestinal specialist like Dr. Bhatti. We can help look at your medical history and come up with a plan that is specific to you. We can also go over the types of weight loss surgeries we provide at our clinic, and what we’d need out of you if that’s something you’re considering pursuing.
For more information about sticking to a weight loss plan, or to talk to a specialist about your weight loss options, reach out to Dr. Bhatti and the team at Bhatti GI Consultants today.