How to Make Your New Year's Weight Loss Resolution More Successful

The new year is such a tempting time to start anew. The impending New Year allows you to recount all the excuses of the previous year contributing to the fact you still weigh the same (or more) a year after making a resolution to the contrary. According to Weight Watchers, nearly half of women make it their New Year's Resolution to lose weight. But each year more and more people become and continue to be overweight.

I have a suggestion for increasing the success of your weight loss New Year's resolution.

Remember that the weight loss equation is a fairly simple one- you not only have to reduce the number of calories you intake but also the number of calories you burn. I, by no means, am going to be absurd enough to suggest drastically cutting calories right at Christmastime. Face it, eggnog, fudge, and hors d'oeuvres are part of what holidays are about. My simple suggestion focuses on the burning more calories portion of the weight loss equation.

I urge you to begin to increase your activity and exercise more before the holidays. This will do a couple of things. Starting an exercise program now will give you a head start when you do make your New Year's resolution official. Rather than forcing yourself out to huff and puff on that first cold day of the year, it will already be a part of your routine. Your workouts will be more enjoyable and less of a chore.

There are many ways to begin a simple exercise program. It is important to do what it is you like to do. If you hate running, do not begin a running program or you will likely doom yourself to frustration and failure. Figure out what it is that you like to do, and begin to do it now, whether it be belly dancing, skating, walking, or swimming. Remember, too, that simple things like parking farther away and taking the stairs rather than the elevator are great ways to bump up your calorie-burning capacity.

Increasing activity is not always a pleasant thing to do. But, as the old adage says misery loves company. Find a friend to join you. You can commiserate about how difficult it is waking up early or trying to find time to exercise as well as celebrate triumphs like running your first mile nonstop.

Entering the diet phase of your weight loss commitment will be much easier if you have increased activity. You will have mentally tackled the one part of the weight loss equation that is the most difficult for most people. Starting an exercise program now can leave you poised for a successful New Year's weight loss resolution.

Good luck!