The Secret  to Losing Weight and Keeping it Off!

Have you already made your New Year’s resolutions?  Let me guess.  Is one of your resolutions that this will be the year you will finally drop those extra 50 pounds?  You aren’t alone, the majority of people who make resolutions at the start of the new year  will have the goal to lose weight and keep it off. However, by February those goals will be long forgotten as the winter blues start to set in.  This year it’s time to break out of that rut and finally see success!

Many top experts have recommended that you avoid making New Year’s resolution but instead set goals for yourself that are actually achievable.  Most people have a more difficult time following through with a goal that is set in the middle of winter as opposed to  the spring or summer.  So, pick a start date when you feel refreshed, energized, and ready to go.

After talking to clients who were most successful with their weight loss goals, and have since maintained their weight loss, we have compiled a list of the 4 Secrets to Success. Start taking notes so you too can have a diet success story like each of these individuals.

1. Set a Reasonable Goal

“After struggling with weight for years I decided it was time to do something about it.  I made the goal to lose 100 pounds in just 3 months so I would be ready for my sister’s wedding.  Well, things started coming up and I couldn’t keep up that pace so after just a few weeks I found myself weighing even more than when I started.  The next year when I made my goals I decided to start with 10 pounds.  I made it!  So I set another small and achievable goal and soon I was at my ideal weight.  Making smaller weight loss goals made it easier for me to see the small changes and it gave me the motivation to keep on going.” –Ginny B. lost 125 pounds and has maintained it for 2 years

If you set a high and unrealistic goal it’s unlikely that you will reach it.  And if you set your goal weight too far below the weight your body will naturally maintain it can be dangerous to your health to get that low.  It’s much more difficult to maintain your habits when you don’t see as much success as you want. Set small and reasonable goals, this might be  the best way for you to go.

2. Surround Yourself With Positive Influences

“My roommates were always going out to eat.  And the restaurants they chose served food loaded with fat and calories.  Even when they knew I was serious about losing weight they continued to make it difficult for me to stick to my goal.  Once I surrounded myself with supportive friends and family it became easier to stick to my diet.  My mom even started exercising with me twice a day and she lost weight too!” –Abby N. lost 45 pounds and maintained her current weight for 3 years

Having supportive friends and family is essential to the success of your weight loss program.  If your husband (or wife) doesn’t stick to a healthy diet don’t boot him out, try to make small changes together to improve your overall health.

3. Focus on Health not on Being Skinny

If you focus on eating the right foods to become healthy it becomes a lifestyle change.  This is easier to maintain than a fad diet that requires you to cut out all your favorite foods.  Studies have shown that people who focus on their health are more successful at weight loss in the long term.

4. Target your Triggers

“I was doing well with my diet until a stressful time at work.  I couldn’t get out early enough to prepare a good meal so I started eating out.  When I was at work and I was stressed out I started reaching for the candy jar.  I started keeping a food diary and soon discovered that my diet went out the window when I was stressed out.  Once I knew that, I made the changes I needed to lose weight and keep it off.” -Elizabeth C. lost 30 pounds and kept it off for 7 years

By keeping a food diary you can learn what needs to be done in order to stick to your diet.  You can learn your triggers so that you remove the candy jar from the office or develop the will power to turn down fast food.

As with any weight loss program a healthy diet and consistent exercise is crucial if you want to see permanent results.  But gathering a strong support group, knowing your triggers, and setting reasonable goals may be just what you need to see success this year.  Take these tips from women who have been through the same thing you’re going through and have maintained their goal weight for years so you can be the next success story!