Don’t Make a Resolution – Make a Lifestyle Change!

It’s that time of year again when many of us makes a resolution to lose weight and live healthier- but why don’t these resolutions last? In this article I will give you a few reasons why resolutions to lose weight don’t work.

1. Diets don’t work. Diets are a temporary way of life. On the quest to lose weight many people try quick fix diets such as, shakes, low calorie foods, fad diets, health clubs and other weight loss attempts. Being overweight is like wearing a bull’s eye — you are a target for companies trying to make money from your condition. Restrictive diets do not work; you must make a lifestyle change.

"Lifestyle change will work if you have realistic expectations, good support, and choose a plan that you can stick with -- a plan that will give you moderate change over a long time Fernstrom tells WebMD.

2. Behaviors do not change automatically. Instead of riding the diet roller coaster up and down, you need to make a constant effort to change. If you don’t change your lifestyle behaviors, don’t expect to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. That is why most diet plans don’t work; you are not taught how to eat for a lifetime, change your behavior or incorporate exercise.

3. Diet is affected by social issues. This happens when you are with your family and friends. In the American setting, unhealthy eating and dietary patterns is often encouraged. This makes it very difficult to keep healthy lifestyle changes going. Don’t allow others to discourage you and cause you to give up; keep your focus to accomplish what you set out to, no matter the cost.

4. Lack of accountability. Many people try to reach their weight loss goals on their own. Usually, they quickly give up because no one is there to inspire or encourage them to press past the challenges. Having a coach is crucial for success. Just as a good coach helps their team win the game with education, encouragement and inspiration, so a Lifestyle Coach can help you achieve your goals of weight-loss and a healthy lifestyle

It’s time for a different approach. It’s time to find the answer that’s right for you. That answer is making a lifestyle change that will last, not a temporary solution that will fail. Start with a positive attitude and determination to stop the diet roller coaster!