New Year, New You

I have been thinking about my friends and family who have made resolutions to get healthy, lose weight, take better care of themselves, exercise, etc.  I just want to offer up some words of encouragement.  I have fought the weight loss battle (still am) and have come out with many battle wounds.  It is so easy to start off strong and get derailed by the smallest thing.  A negative comment from a spouse, friend, co-worker, or family member can cause the most devoted person to go running for the cookie jar.

Many people have asked me over the years how to lose weight.  I always tell them to be patient and not to look at it as an all or nothing event.  Losing weight is a process.  There will be good days and bad days.  There are days that you crave everything in sight and days where eating healthy comes so naturally.  Just keep your eye on the big picture.  Where do you want to be a year from now?  Of course, we all want to be healthier than we are now.  Whether we reach our goal weight this year or not, we want to be better than we are right now.  So, be patient and give yourself some slack.  You cannot be perfect.  You will slip up.  Just know that if you are eating healthier more often than you aren't or you are exercising more often than your aren't or you are taking time for yourself more often than you do now, you are making progress.  Weight loss is a journey and not a destination.  Take the time to change your lifestyle so you will be able to maintain a healthy way of living for the rest of your life.  There are no quick fixes, magic pills or miracle surgeries.  It takes dedication and hard work.  I wish each of you well.  Here's to a healthier, happier you 12 months from now!