However, if you view your New Year’s weight-loss resolution as a fresh start, chances are you will accomplish it and allow it to become a new lifestyle.

If your New Year’s resolution is weight loss, pick out the positives such as:

• Improved health lowered body fat
• Increased energy improved self-esteem
• Increased metabolism
• Improved digestion

Now that you have your thoughts flowing in the right direction, what are the steps to take to being a New Year’s weight-loss success? Set short-term goals to be successful at your goals, such as monthly goals. For example, write down a realistic amount of weight you would like to drop in a 4-week time span.

Create a list of things you will give up: For your weight-loss New Year’s resolution to be a success. For example, make a list of three bad habits that are currently stalling your weight-loss endeavors, such as tapering off colas, candy, and eating out.

Create a deadline: For your New Year’s weight-loss resolution to be a success, create a deadline. A deadline gives you a sense of purpose and urgency. Mark a deadline on your calendar. In addition, entering transformation challenges will help you meet your deadline.

Create a course of action: Create your action plan on how you will meet your weight-loss goal. Write out on a calendar your monthly short-term goals, the days you will weight train, and the days you will do cardiovascular. Having your week or even month planned out in advance for you to follow takes a lot of last-minute guesswork and decisions out of the equation to keep you on track.

Tell your family, friends, and co-workers about your new fresh start and get their support: When others know about your goals they will usually keep you accountable for them by asking you about it and how you are doing.

Make the grade: Create an accountability sheet to score yourself each day. Your goal, ideally, is to make a perfect score daily in all areas of fitness (what and how much you eat, water intake, and exercise). Making yourself accountable every day in a written format will more than likely keep you on track better.

Reward yourself for meeting goals: When you complete a short-term goal successfully, reward yourself. A reward for your success doesn’t have to be food-related. Reward yourself with going shopping for new clothes for your changing body or color your hair for a new image.

Conclusion: A New Year’s weight-loss resolution is what you make it. Put your focus on the positive and how it can actually benefit you in the long run. 

This is part of our Wellness Wednesday, if you have any topic ideas email us at Elements@nfta.com.