Lose Weight For The New Year

So many make this resolution every New Year and some where in the second or third week of January get discouraged and give up. We are an instant gratification nation and if we can't lose those extra 10 pounds in 3 days we don't want to do it..... but there is hope.

Here are 5 simple steps to help you achieve your goal of losing weight and keeping it off this New Year.

1. Drink more water. Start your mornings with a large glass of water with lemon each day and try to drink a glass before each meal to feel slightly full. Try to replace at least one cup of coffee or can of soda you would have with water throughout the day.
   
   
2. Try eating a high-fiber cereal with fruit and skim milk in the morning instead of that danish or sweet snack bar. Most of us are always in a rush in the mornings so we grab
   something fast instead of something healthy. Think of your bowl of oatmeal, shredded wheat, bran muffin or other fiber cereal as a prescription.
   
   If your Dr. told you to take a pill everyday that would help you live a long and healthy life you would find time to take it. Fiber cereals and fruit can help keep the colon clean reduce cholesterol and benefit you in so many ways. Make and take the time.
   
   
3. Eat the whole fruit instead of drinking store bought fruit juice, which has calories from sugar. This one was hard for me because I love juices, but I was diagnosed as anemic a few years back. I bought a juicer and now I only drink juice I have made. Within two weeks the Dr. couldn't believe how my levels had increased and I've been juicing ever since.
   
   
4. Start, your meal with a broth-based soup or mixed green salad. Why is it we only eat salads when we're at a restaurant. Both salads and broth soups will contribute to a feeling of fullness, so you'll push back quicker from the main course.
   
   
5. Incorporate some sort of exercise into your schedule daily. We all have excuses here; no time, gym membership cost to much, etc. Well, while you're watching your favorite TV show you could march in place, swinging your arms. Just thirty minutes a day of marching in place will help to rev up your metabolism. No excuse now hmmmm!

The word 'diet,' is a bad word in my house and should be in yours too. You should eat healthy as a lifestyle and not have to deprive yourself of the foods you enjoy. Diets are the main reason people either fail to begin a weight loss plan or give up trying to lose weight. If you can't make it a permanent change it won't work in the long run. So start making these few little changes and lose those extra pounds this New year.