The Battle of the Bulge: My 2010 New Year's Resolution

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions. I know I won't keep them. My last was in 2008, when I resolved to quit smoking.

I'm smoking a cigarette right now.

2010 is different. For the first time in my life, I want to make permanent changes. I want to look and feel better. In short, I want to lose weight. My resolution for 2010 is to lose 15 pounds.

At five feet tall and 135 pounds, I'm certifiably chubby, and I want to nip it in the bud...as difficult as that may be.

To be blunt, I'm lazy. I loathe exercise and the thought of dieting makes me ill. The good news is I do not have to diet in the traditional sense--no depriving myself or joining an organization that makes you pay them money in order for them to help you lose weight. I'm more likely to give a one fingered wave and binge on cookies if I've been told I can't have them, and I'm cheap, so neither of those are good long term solutions for me. The bad news is, in order to lose the 15 pounds, I need to make five changes:

Quit Starbucks. Part of my morning routine is going to Starbucks. My favorite drink, in the venti size, is 500 calories without whipped cream. I get one every morning. I can drink coffee at home for a lot cheaper, with a huge cut in calories.

Quit soda. I drink a lot of soda, which is really should be called Sugar -n- Chemical Stew. Seriously, read the ingredients on any soda can. Do you know what most of them are? I don't. Soda is nothing but empty calories.

Quit fast food. I have the eating habits of an elementary school child. Fast food is about the most unhealthy thing a person could eat, and I have it at least once a week.

Drink water. I drink soda and coffee, Kool Aid when it's around. Never just plain water. I plan to buy a cases of flavored, bottled water and refuse to allow soda to enter my home. All sorts of terrible things can happen if the body isn't properly hydrated, and proper hydration also assists in weight loss.

Start walking. Instead of driving to the store, I can walk. Instead of parking in the closest parking spot to the door, I can park in the farthest spot. There are several parks I can walk at. Walking is good, non strenuous exercise.

Cutting out Starbucks drinks, soda, and fast food will significantly lower my intake of calories, salt, fat, and sugar. Drinking water will make my skin look better and flush my system. Walking and gradually upping my activity level will make me stronger, more toned, and keep the pounds at bay.

Good luck with your own resolutions!