It’s fun to imagine all the possibilities the new year may hold for yourself. You could be a totally different person this time next year and you don’t even know it yet. A lot of things that happen this upcoming year will be out of your control, which is scary to think about, so one way people cope is by creating New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are little promises you make to yourself about things within your control to ensure you end up a slightly improved version of yourself. One of the most common resolutions is to lose weight. Whether you want to lose five pounds or a hundred this year, success lies in staying motivated. We offer some tips on how to stick to your weight loss resolution in the new year.
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Come up with a realistic timeline
As much as we all want to reach our goal weight overnight, there’s really no healthy way to do so. Coming up with a realistic timeline is key to maintaining progress and keeping yourself motivated. You can’t see progress easily, but keeping a log to remind yourself of the small strides you make every day can help. To come up with the best timeline for you and your goals, talk to your doctor and find a healthy way to lose weight over time.
Find ways to be held accountable
It’s much harder to skip going to the gym when it means you cancel on your best friend. Find someone in your friend group that might have a similar resolution to yours, and make a pact to hold each other accountable for sticking to a workout schedule. You can even sign up for scheduled group classes and let your class motivate you to keep showing up. A helpful tip is to talk about your progress and goals with people you care about, as this will help you foster a supportive community. It could even encourage others to join you and grow the group dynamic into an accountability checker.
Celebrate any and all progress
Progress comes and goes. Don’t sweat the small stuff, but make sure to celebrate all progress. If you gain two pounds during a month but you lost ten overall, don’t mourn the step backward. Instead, celebrate how far you’ve come. Progress is progress, and it’s easy to lose sight of how many amazing changes you’re making for your health once you get into a routine. Don’t let one missed day at the gym negate your progress—you’ll do amazing regardless of a few setbacks!
Find a comfortable way to exercise
Look for comfortable ways to exercise. Some people prefer to go on outdoor runs, others like a traditional gym setting, and many feel the most comfortable in their own homes. Give all these options a try and decide which works best for you and your plan. If you find you like outdoor running, do some research on the best (and safest), places to run in your neighborhood. If the gym is your scene, try a few local ones out before signing onto a long-term contract. If the home workout suits you best, look into creating a small home gym that meets your needs. Seeing your workout space everyday within the comfort of your home could motivate you alone.
