Have You Given Up Your Resolution Already?

Did the Superbowl do you in?  Was it those cute little girls selling cookies?  Are you just tired after a month of exercising and dieting?  Ready to give up?  Already have?

Don't Give Up!

Why?

1,  You promised yourself.  You are the most important.
2.  You'll only panic before swimsuit season, when you start this madness all over again.
3.  You've already made a financial investment:  food plan, exercise, or more - don't waste the money.  4.  You are a role model for everyone you know.
5.  You promised yourself.

Many of you have talked yourself right out of exercising and eating right.  I'm guilty myself.  There's always tomorrow.  What, you say?  Begin today?  Okay!  Only if you do...  Get back on track with me, and forget those January blues.

Diet is "Die" with a T

Okay, this is controversial.  I detest diets, food plans, and diet products.  Note: They may work for many people, and I'm not about to say if it works, don't change, but these did not work for me:  6 times for Weight Watchers, 3 Redbook Diets, Atkins twice, Gym plans, the South Beach Diet, Richard Simmons Meal-A-Deal twice, liquid diets, and when I was a teen- diet pills.  NONE worked for me.  They only made me more fat.  However, I know people that are on some of the popular programs, and they are doing well.  Can't take that away from them.

Diets just don't work for me.  I had to have a full-blown food overhaul and intervention.  I intervened, and refilled my fridge, freezer, and cabinets.  Hey, even my purse has healthy snacks.  But, once I let go of my favorite junk food, fried food, and other assorted bad habits, all you are left with are healthy choices.  It truly is a change of lifestyle.  People told me that for years, and I didn't believe them, but it's true.  You can't go back to the way you were eating, as that will put the weight back on.

Don't think short-term.  Think long-term, no matter how little or much you have to lose.  The habits you make in your resolutions or goals should be forever.

New Year's Resolutions

Do they ever work?  I've had a bad habit of not keeping them.  My number one goal is to lose weight, which is why I didn't start losing till last March.  On purpose.  I got through the "Resolution" time, all the ads for losing weight that they put on during the first of the year, and my own guilt for not starting.  You may say that's a bad strategy.

This is the first time I've lost this much weight (March to now) and kept it off.

I have wavered some days, but I'm losing without a resolution.  Don't worry about missing gym membership specials, just join when they put the specials on for "bathing suit" season, or start with just food in January, if you must start in January.  Why not start now?

Okay, maybe that's asking a lot during holiday season.  But, you can start with small changes.  I did that for two years before starting to lose.

1.  Cut out soda.  Don't do it cold turkey; do it over a week, weaning yourself off the caffeine gently,           cutting out those awful headaches.
2.  Drink water between drinks at a party or just before a meal.
3.  Get a scale.
4.  Decide where you are going to begin: starting exercise and food intake is difficult to do at the same time, and really sabotages your "live it," not "diet."  You will have these habits for a long time.
5.  Plan meals.  It helps.

That's where you can start, and forget about losing until you've done these things.  That's all.  No stressing about weight, just beginning with a few alterations.  It can be done.  

Four Pounds in One Week!

I am thrilled.  To maintain over this period of the year would be a miracle, but to lose, well- that's my Christmas present to myself this year!  I am that much closer to my year's goal.  I have to say, I didn't set that goal in the beginning.  It was only to feel better, breathe easier, and move with less pain.  It's working.

In September, I felt good enough to make a personal goal, the catalyst being my step mom, and I set it at 50 for the end of the year.  50 pounds.  Wow.  No wonder I felt so lethargic and did not want to move. I can't imagine it, but I wish for it.

What helped with the weight this week?  No holiday food, no take-out, no soda, and drinking a ton of water.  I drink a glass of water before every meal now, so that it fills me up a bit.  It's a Weight Watchers trick I learned years ago, and it works.  And, it does not hurt you.

I want to pull Biggest Loser numbers by January.  I think I can, if I'm working out.  My step mom fussed after me today for not exercising regularly, and she's right.  I have the flexibility in my day, more than enough opportunity, and no excuses.

P.S.  Check out this artist on Face book.  He's taking orders now.  Carlos Cabaleiro!