Holiday Overindulgence = New Year’s Resolution!

We’re knee-deep into holiday season and it seems like a marathon of endless parties, social gatherings, cookie exchanges, office gifts and goodies everywhere you look. It’s just a little bite, taste or sip—it would be rude to say no, right?!? So you toss your “diet” aside and before you know it, those little bites, tastes and sips add up to a higher number when you step on the scale.

According to a recent Weight Watchers article on holiday weight gain, of the people who regularly watch their diet and exercise, close to 40 percent still gain at least 2 pounds during the holidays.  And the first thing they do on Jan. 1—resolve to take the weight off.

Do New Year’s Resolutions Work?

Yes, they do!  According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, people who made New Year’s resolutions had higher rates of success than people who did not make resolutions.

Getting healthier—especially losing weight—starts with deciding to make a lifestyle change (setting that resolution).  However, change can be difficult for many people and it’s easier just to maintain the status quo.

Here are four tips on how to break the status quo:

• Have the understanding of how to do it
• Make the commitment
• Have a plan
• Keep the resolve until the job is done.

Resolution Made – Now What?

After you have set your intention (goals), the best way for a person to lose weight is to get educated on how to reach those goals. Gather the needed tools and techniques, and then create a plan.

In other words, if an education program is put in place first, and then the tools and opportunity to put the education into place are provided, there will be a greater chance for success.

So, enjoy the holidays! And then make that resolution to get back on track with your diet and exercise and lose those extra couple of pounds. Arm yourself with the how-to, coupled with the desire, and you have a winning combination!

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?