Losing Weight and Feeling Great

Tomorrow is New Year's Day, and the most common resolution every year is to lose weight. It's an awesome goal. However, I've seen a lot of stuff lately that promises to help you look amazing with a shockingly small amount of effort. (I'm talking to you, Pinterest.) These don't work. If you have a goal to lose weight or tone up, you have to commit to it. You can't spend 5 minutes a day doing a workout routine and expect big results. You can't eat one healthy meal and think that's going to do it for you. If you really want to lose weight and feel great in 2015, commit to it. You have to take charge!

My personal advice:

• Find a workout program/routine that challenges you but that you enjoy; commit to doing it X number of times per week. Whether it's P90x, Jillian Michaels, body pump, pilates, yoga, racquetball, tennis, running, etc, it doesn't matter that much. Just find something that you like that gets you moving and do it!
• Get rid of the junk you usually eat. Replace with fresh, healthy foods—eggs, salads, soups, sandwiches. Fill your diet with healthy protein that will give you lasting energy.
• Count your calories, at least for a little while so that you'll understand how many calories are in the things you typically eat. This will help you weigh in your mind whether certain foods are worth the calories for you. (There are apps for this. I use Lose It!)
• Learn to say no to yourself and others. Our own desires are hard enough to deal with. Add in some people in your life who are putting bad foods right in front of your face, and it's tough. YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO SAY NO.
• Don't completely deprive yourself. Deprivation is discouraging. It's okay to have a sweet treat; just don't overdo it.

It takes serious discipline sometimes. It means saying no to family and friends who peer pressure you into eating bad things. It means choosing a salad over a hamburger. It means going to the gym when you REALLY don't feel like it. It means skipping dessert when you're full. It means eating one cookie instead of five. It's an entire lifestyle change, but you can do it, and the reward is HUGE.

Good luck with all your 2015 goals!