My 6 Steps to Successfully Achieving This Year’s Weight Loss Resolution

This year, my weight loss resolution is going to succeed. I’ve made it successfully through several New Year’s resolutions in the past and I’m determined to make it happen again in 2019. For this one, I’m prepared with a great strategy with some solid steps to ensure I stick to my promises to myself.

From what I’ve read, less than 10 percent of all New Year’s resolutions will succeed each year. I’m determined to beat the odds and make my weight loss resolution work. I’m especially not going to find myself among the dieters who resolve to lose and end up gaining more than they lost (this is the case in one to two thirds of all weight loss resolutions).

Here are the steps I’m taking to make sure my weight loss resolution will be different from the ones that will fail this year. I’m sharing them in case they can help you to get on the right track, too.

1. Think of dieting with a different perspective – Instead of thinking of a diet as something I’m doing until I reach my weight loss goal, I’m thinking of it in terms of the gradual changes I plan to make to change my lifestyle for the long term. My diet doesn’t have an end. My weight has a goal, but my diet is the way I plan to eat permanently.
2. There isn’t anything I can’t do – I’ve stopped saying “I can’t have…” a food or drink that I used to consume. For example, I’ve stopped drinking soda. That said, I don’t say that I can’t have one. Instead, I say that “I don’t drink soda.” It’s something I don’t do anymore. It’s a choice, not a restriction.
3. Build habits – Gradually, I am going to add new habits to my lifestyle. Instead of trying to stick to a rigid plan, I’m going to introduce a new positive habit and keep doing it until it feels natural and automatic. Once the new habit is secured, I’ll start another one. I’m hoping that I’ll not only add good habits but push out bad ones in this way.
4. I’ll plan to fail – This doesn’t mean that I think I won’t reach my goal. Of course I’m going to reach it! But now and again, I will slip up from the plan. A new habit won’t stick. I’ll break down and eat two pieces of cheesecake at once. Something will happen and I’ll fail that moment. Then, I’ll get back on track and keep going. A failure isn’t an end. It’s a mistake that will happen now and again. All I need to do is accept that I’ve made the mistake and go back to doing things properly again with forgiveness for myself.
5. I’ll shop with a list – Sure, I can pick up things that aren’t on my list if I see an incredible sale. That said, I’ll stick to the list for nearly every purchase. This will mean that I have all the food I need to make the meals I want next week, and I’ll have some healthy snacks I like. I won’t give in to the cupcakes, cakes, cookies and other treat foods, no matter how great the sale. That way, sweets remain a rare treat I’ll enjoy all the more.
6. I’ll visualize – At least once per week – if not more – I’ll visualize my success in achieving my goal. Before making a choice for a food or exercise (or skipping it), I’ll visualize the way that choice will make me feel and correct my behaviors to bring a better outcome.