It’s Not Too Late!
Weight-wise, I’m ending 2006 in a better place than I started the year. And I still have two months left to lose even more pounds before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve and everybody else is dusting off their “I-will-lose-weight-this-year-for-sure” resolution. And you, too, have a couple of months to improve your waistline.
I learned the hard way that postponing weight loss until after the holidays can be a poor decision. In the past, I gave myself permission to eat whatever I wanted during this goodie-filled season because, after all, I was going to start a diet on January 1. Then an amazing thing happened! This decision to wait resulted in even more weight! When I finally got on the scale on the first day of the first month, the higher number caused even more self-disgust. This certainly isn’t a positive way to begin the New Year!
This year I’ve lost almost 60 pounds—over the last year, I regained 90 pounds of my 170-pound weight lost—and I’m not done! I’m planning to have another 15 pounds off by January 1 followed by another 15 pounds by the time spring arrives. (Even with my varicose veins, I’m planning to look great in a bathing suit next summer!)
This is how I plan to lose the remaining weight this year, and next. Follow my example and you, too, can delight in the number on the scale as 2007 begins....
Set a realistic goal
I didn't just say I was going to lose weight, I made my goals specific. This is what you, too, need to do if you plan to lose weight. Ambiguous goals don't work. Set a specific, measurable goal and make yourself accountable for reaching this goal.
Visualize yourself reaching your goal
See yourself eating healthy and exercising—and you'll do it! Mentally picture yourself avoiding all the fattening and high-calorie holiday foods and, instead, making better and smaller (portion-wise) food choices.
Get a good night's sleep
Research has shown that too-little sleep activates cortisol, the stress hormone, which can lead to weight gain. Cortisol breaks down muscle and lowers your metabolic rate. Also, try to avoid too much stress during the holidays. When stress builds, take a tea—green tea is especially healthy—break; put on some soothing music and relax. Everything usually gets done and if it doesn't, it wasn't really important for what is supposed to be the season of peace and good will!
Reduce hunger before social events
Have a salad, a piece of fruit or a cup of vegetable soup before you leave for parties and other food-filled activities. This will help curb hunger and reduce calorie intake.
Don't forget to eat protein and cut down on the carbohydrates
Protein helps to speed up a sluggish metabolism. In addition, protein helps keep you satiated for a longer period of time. So have the cheese—but not too much—and forget the crackers!
Keep a journal and record everything
That's right, record everything—EVERYTHING—that you put into your mouth. If you eat cookie dough while you're making these holiday treats, you need to write it down. If you know what you eat, you can get a better handle on your calorie consumption.
Join me in consistently following these good steps. If we do and we begin now, in November, we can truly put the “Happy” before “New Year” in our holiday greetings!