Dropping 20 Pounds: 2009 New Year's Resolution

New Year's resolutions are often goals that have failed, or have been in the thought process for at least six months or more. However, for whatever reason (fear of failure; fear of success; or lack of planning), our efforts have failed.

I know for me, my last few resolutions have been disasters because of fear of failure and success, lack of planning, and I plain out did not want to work for it. When I made my last New Year's resolution was in 2004, I thought when I said, "I will lose twenty pounds this year," that meant I would wake up the next morning twenty pounds lighter. Right, that would give a new meaning to "sleeping it off."

After four years of not making a resolution and letting the New Year take me day by day, I have decided that 2009 will be a year of fulfilling dreams and promises. This year, I will lose 20 pounds. After my second child this year in 2008, the baby weight is turning into an adult! After numerous failures and a four-year resolution strike, you are probably wondering what makes this year different. Well, let me tell you, I am different. My view of life is different and I am worth much more than I saw myself to be. No to mention, I am not 24 anymore but am I still young, and I want to be cute! After many nights in deep thought about the person I was before the weight, and not being able to get back into my size 12 jeans, I have come up with five sure-fire ways to conquer this 20-pound challenge. No matter your resolution, the five steps below are sure to make 2009 a year of fulfilling dreams and promises for you.

Set an attainable goal

The most critical component in setting goals is the goal itself. When I was about eight years old, I dreamed I was in heaven and there were cookies, cakes and food everywhere. I was determined to bring something back with me when I awoke. I embraced cookies, hamburgers and anything else that would fit in my arm's wrap. When I woke up, excited and convinced I succeeded, I felt for the food at the foot of my bed. I was devastated when I saw nothing. I am convinced even today that I did hold it tight enough.

Trying to take food from heaving is a long stretch, make sure your goal is attainable and within a reasonable amount of time. Losing 20 pounds in 30 days is not a reasonable time for me, but 60 days is, and losing 20 pounds is definitely an attainable goal.

Believe that you can do it

You do not have to

believe in something that you already see. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "believe" means "to accept as true, genuine, or real". I have to believe the ability to lose 20 pounds in 60 days is true. Notice I said "in 60 days." Of course you can lose 20 pounds over time, but to do it within 60 days is a challenge which takes discipline and faith that you will get the results you sought after. Having this type of faith in your goal debunks the saying that, "seeing is believing." Remember that you are what you think.

Visualize the end-results

Okay, so maybe seeing

is believing, but I mean seeing it in your mind. An Architect has to have a floor plan and a finished model before the actual physical construction can begin. Create your own model in your mind and see your goal complete. For the past three months, I have laid in bed seeing myself in my favorite size 12 outfit, moving freely and feeling great. I have a model to follow as time goes by to keep my goal in sight. Another thing I do is hang a picture of my goal in a place I go to frequently, like above my computer since this is where I am most days. When I want to get excited about my goal or if it starts to get hard, I stare at the picture and say an affirmation such as, "I am excited about losing 20 pounds.

Create a plan and stick to it

Now let me say this, you will reap what you sow. Meaning, what you put into obtaining your goal is what you will get out of it, so create a plan and plan to work hard. Creating a plan serves as a written agreement with yourself, and identifies the tasks to complete in order to reach your goal. Be specific in listing your goal, day-by-day activities, and the date you want your goal successfully completed. Set a reasonable deadline that is attainable but challenging. I would like to use the NutriSystem plan because I have heard of wonderful results but since I am strapped for cash, I have prepared a meal plan that specifies breakfast, lunch and dinner. This plan also includes a workout schedule with my support group, which I will tell you about next.

Get a support group

Support groups are not just for addiction recoveries or divorcees. I believe that any effort that takes perseverance can have a support group; three people can be a group, but it should be more than two. You can still do it with two because when one of you wants to quit, the other can encourage, but three is better because there is always one in the group who will be relentless. Moreover, it is just more fun! I have put out flyers in my apartment community inviting other women with the same challenge to come and join me for a "getting to know you" meeting. I will bring healthy snacks and beverages and just have an icebreaker so that our first meeting will not be at our most vulnerable moments (working out). One of the amenities of this community is our gym so it is close and convenient.

No matter what your 2009 New Year's resolution is, losing 20 pounds, deciding to venture into a new career, or whether you are going to give yourself a total make-over after that horrible break up, deciding to do it is the first and most important step. Once you have set your goal (s), believe that you can do it, visualize your end-result, create a plan and stick to it, and get some friends or family, or your neighbor and get the support you need. Remember, 2009 is the year of fulfilling dreams and promises.