Did you know that January 17th is the most common day that people break their New Years Resolution? Where did I get that date? Well the internet of course, so it must be true!
What we do know if that approximately 62% of people will make New Years Resolutions. The bummer is that only 8% will ever achieve their resolution.
Want to take a guess at the number one resolution? Yes, losing weight.
With that said, let’s look at some reasons that people start out with the best of intentions and end up failing.
Which Diet is for Me?
Atkins Diet, Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Juicing…those are what has been talked about in the office, just this week!
My opinion is I don’t think that there isn’t one diet for everyone, you have to pick which one feels right for you, if you feel you need a structured plan.
Try this first, take two or three things you know you are doing wrong and swap them out for healthier choices. Add color to plate, shop the outer supermarket aisles and by all means GET RID OF SODA!!!
Start with those, build some momentum then look at the structured plans and see which one, if any, feel right for you.
Results are too Slow
Everyone wants to step on the scale and see the pounds melting off. Everyone. The hard truth is it doesn’t work that way, and if it does, you may be at risk for putting it all back on later. Plus some!
In this case, slow and steady wins the race. 1 pound a week is 52 pounds in a year! Take the long view on this, the weight is much more likely to stay off.
Instead of using the scale, see how your clothes fit, how your energy level is, even how your skin looks. Those are much better indicators.
Bloating
Remember all those empty calories you were eating? They don’t contain any fiber. The fruits and veggies that you eat now…lots of fiber. Guess what fiber can do to you? Bloat you a little in the beginning. Don’t worry, drink lots of water and this feeling will subside.
Surrounding Yourself With Bad Peeps
You have your bag packed to go to the gym after work. You run into your co-worker that tells you the group is going out for drinks and appetizers after work. What do you do?
Two solutions.
- Do all exercise in morning, especially on days when your co-workers or friends are likely to want to go out after work
- Become a leader. Convince friends and co-workers to go to gym BEFORE going out. Make the gym your social place to go after work
Slipping and Checking
Are you going to slip up? No question, we all do.
As I tell my hockey players all the time. We expect mistakes, that’s part of life. What we don’t want is compounding of mistakes.
OK so you went out after work Thursday and had an extra potato skin or 6. Double down on Friday. Spend a little longer in the gym. Eat a little cleaner. Get back on track.
Conclusion
At end of the day, weight loss takes consistent effort. None of us are perfect. Set a plan and stick to it. When you fall off the plan, dust yourself off, get up, and get back on it. Need help, don’t even hesitate to ask.
