New Year, New You!

It's a new year and you want to make a new beginning - losing weight and getting into shape has now become a major focus and goal in your life.

Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?

Focus on why you want to lose weight. Get intoyour mind your reasons - you want to play actively with the children, you want to look better in your choice of clothes, you want to feel healthier. Don't do it for anyone else but yourself. Keep these reasons in your mind to focus on your weight loss goals. If it helps write them down and stick them on your fridge! 

Set Realistic Goals

You are not going to lose weight quickly. It's not healthy and it's not sustainable. Be realistic. Set yourself small, achievable goals. It's best to overachieve rather than setting targets that are too high. If you have a lot of weight to lose break it down into smaller goals, say 7lbs at a time. When you reach your stepping stone goal you will feel confident to start on the next 7lbs.

Get Support

Tell people what you hope to achieve. The more help and support you have the easier you will find it to stick to your plan. If you want some online support go to the Message Boards (in Members Forum) for some friendly advice, help and support from other members.

Learn About Your Eating Habits

Look at what you are eating today and just keep learning about your eating habits. It can be a revelation to see the calorie content or fat content of certain foods. Things you thought were "healthy" might not be so helpful for your weight loss goals. You may notice certain foods or drinks in your daily eating plan that are high in calories, taking up a disproportionate amount of your daily calorie allowance but not really contributing much in the way of good nutrition.

By completing your Food Diary you will start to see the difference a few items can make to your daily calorie intake. You can start to make adjustments in your daily eating plan.

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Get Active

Exercise and activity will help your weight loss goals. Don't rush off to the gym several times a week if you have not been exercising regularly. Try to build as much activity into your day as possible. Walk where you can, use stairs not lifts, move around at work, take the kids for a walk / bike ride at the weekend - see easy exercise ideas.

Try to find an activity you would enjoy and set aside a couple of hours a week to do this. Look at try a sport for ideas. Get a friend involved - you will be more motivated and committed to do the activity and you will encourage each other. Enjoy it!

Keep Motivated 

Don't lose faith in yourself if you are not losing weight every week. Some weeks will be different; you could lose more or less than you expected or you could maintain. There are many different things that could be affecting your weight loss. Stick with your goals and your will succeed. Have a look at Members Success Stories - they are going through the same as you.

Drink Water

Get into the habit of drinking water. It is essential to keep your body hydrated and healthy. You should be drinking at least 6 glasses of water every day. Try having a glass before meals (to help fill you up); with food (to help you savour the taste) or alongside your regular tea/coffee breaks… and you will see how easy it is to fit in. You can keep a count of how much water you are drinking in your Food Diary.