I Resolve to Make 2011 a Losing Year - Weight, that Is

For 2011, I hereby resolve to be less than I can be. Hold those giggles or gasps of shock, I'm not talking about career or personal achievements; I mean, I plan to get rid of a bit more of that annoying flab that has attached itself to my midsection. Yes, I am going to lose weight.

At this point, skeptics are probably saying, "Yeah, heard that one before. You'll be off that kick before Easter." Losing weight is admittedly not easy, but it can be done, and for the sake of good health, and a long, productive life, getting rid of excess pounds is essential.

I've already taken the first step. I reduced my bulk from a high of 252 pounds in 2007, to 200 currently. My goal is to get down to 190 by the end of 2011. That is my New Year's resolution. The key, as I have found over the past four years, is persistence, resolve, and taking small, easily digestible steps.

Four Steps to Effective Weight Loss

The first step in losing weight is assessing your health condition, body type, eating habits, and life style. Knowing your risk factors and which of your habits contribute to weight gain will be a big help when you commit to losing pounds. Setting realistic goals is the next step. As you can see from the previous statement, my initial weight loss program was, for me, realistic. Because I travel a lot; spending time on airplanes and in hotels, trying to lose a lot of weight fast was just not possible. With a few adjustments to my lifestyle, however, in four years, I took off 52 pounds. While that might not sound like much to the fanatic dieters out there, for me, it was a prudent and achievable goal. Getting rid of that last ten pounds will be a piece of cake - which, by the way, I will not eat.

Eating Habits : Next on my list is watching what, when, and how much I eat. In restaurants, especially American eateries that serve overly large portions, I eat only half of what's served, skip the bread and butter, and ask for water or unsweetened tea. On long flights, I skip every other meal, and drink lots of water. I've had to explain to friends and business colleagues why I eat this way, especially when invited to dinners or other official functions where food is served. After the initial shock, they accept and understand.

Drinking : Before 2007, I was a beer drinker. I had my one or two beers every day. I was also addicted to sodas and milk shakes. I still do my one drink a day, but it's usually just a light cocktail (preferably one with water or soda), and instead of sodas and milk-based drinks, I take water or lightly sweetened lemonade. I found that the artificially sweetened drinks were a problem. After drinking one, I found myself hungry, and that's not good if you're trying to stay on a diet.

Exercise : Traveling as much as I do, getting regular vigorous exercise is difficult. I bought myself one of those traveling exercise kits; the kind with tension ropes that fit over a hotel door, and try to get in twenty minutes each evening before I go to sleep. Watch this one, though. Exercising too close to bedtime can interfere with a restful night's sleep. About an hour to ninety minutes before bed works for me. I also exercise and meditate each morning when I get up.

Regular Checkups : Seeing your family physician once a year for a review of your basic condition is a worthwhile investment. This can identify conditions that might be developing in their early stages when they can be easily treated.

And, that's all there is to it. These four simple steps; my resolutions for 2011, will help anyone lose weight. One word of advice; don't compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone's metabolism is different, and the same amount of exercise or reduction in food intake will impact differently on different people. Set your own goals; stick to them; and enjoy the fact that you can now fit into clothes that you thought you might have to give to Goodwill.

References:

http://exercise.about.com/cs/weightloss/a/howtoloseweight.htm

http://www.webmd.com/diet

http://losingweight.gather.com

http://weightloss.about.com/cs/tips/a/aa041603a.htm