New Year's Weight Loss Resolutions

By Andrew Sokolsky

The beginning of the year is a great time to start losing weight. The temptation of the holiday season is over, social schedules are less crowded, other people are also trying to lose weight, and everyone understands when you say that as part of your New Year's resolutions, you are focused on your health. You may have put on weight over the holidays, or you said to yourself, "I'll wait until the beginning of the year to start losing weight." Whatever your motivation, I congratulate you for taking action.

As a weight-loss coach, it is a fun time of year for me because I love what I do, and many people ask for my guidance and support. Last week I had the pleasure of having a couple visit me at my office who started my program at the beginning of 2011. He had lost 35 pounds (reaching his goal) and she had lost 70 pounds (well on her way to the 100 pounds that she set out to lose). His medical doctor had taken him off his blood pressure medication and had taken him off one of his two diabetes medications. She is healthier than she has been in years, and friends who haven't seen her in a year don't recognize her, she looks so good. They are both in their 60s. She was willing to follow my exercise recommendation, but he was not. They both followed the other aspects of my plan, and they both have had great success.

Another client started the year at 187 pounds, with the goal of getting to 165, and living within his desired goal range of 165 to 170. He lost the weight and has kept it off successfully. They all had the experience of losing weight easily, never feeling hungry, and comfortably following the individualized plan we had mutually agreed upon. I work with my clients for three months, which is enough time for me to give them all the tools that they need to continue losing weight on their own. If they choose to, clients may work with me for longer than three months, if they find that the weekly sessions give them the accountability and support that will support their continued success. I invite all my prospective clients to do a complimentary 30-minute intake, to see if we are a "good fit" for each other. I always invite a client's partner or family member, because support from loved ones is an important part of a client's success.

Here are some of the things I tell my clients who are just getting started:

Even those with the best intentions will fail if they do not have a specific plan to lose weight healthfully, intelligently, and permanently. A plan that allows you to choose what you eat and drink, and allows you to feel full and satisfied, will support long-lasting success. When the plan that you use to lose weight is the same plan that you will use to maintain weight loss, you have a far greater chance of success. When you combine your passion with a step-by-step plan, you have a much higher likelihood of reaching your goals.

Combining a weight-loss plan with an exercise plan that is best suited for you will vastly increase the pace of your weight loss. The best exercises are ones that you can do safely, consistently, easily, are adaptable to changes in your routine, and can be done healthfully for many years. I have had clients lose hundreds of pounds using walking as their sole exercise!

There is a predictable science to weight loss, and if expectations are unrealistic, many people become discouraged and give up. After my clients learn the science of weight loss, we can then accurately predict how much weight they will lose in a given period of time. Having realistic expectations will allow you to celebrate the many goals you will be achieving on your weight-loss plan.

Find someone to help you set up a plan that is tailored specifically to your needs and lifestyle. Find someone to support you and help hold you accountable. Find someone who understands the emotional, mental and physical challenges you will face, and who can help guide you through those challenges.

Losing weight and keeping weight off requires a lifestyle change that takes time to develop. There will be challenges along the way. Fortunately, with dedication, an easy-to-follow plan, exercising intelligently, and having realistic and predictable goals, permanent weight loss can be achieved!

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