Another year has come and gone and about eight per cent of us have accomplished the goal set out last year.
Have to give credit to those that at least tried, since 38% didn’t even set a goal for the new year. The number one new year’s resolution remains to lose weight and less than 5% achieve their goal. So let’s talk about why weight loss seems to be such a big deal for most that do attempt a resolution.
Being overweight affects how you look, but even more importantly it’s unhealthy and can lead to many health consequences, especially diabetes. Diabetes is a state where blood sugars are above the normal range and if not controlled does damage to all areas of the body. As we have probably heard over and over, diabetes is increasing year after year.
But losing only five per cent of body weight could prevent many of these individuals from becoming type 2 diabetics. New research now demonstrates that even if women with no history of diabetes are overweight during pregnancy the infant is at risk for contracting diabetes later in life.
So maybe just this year we can achieve our weight loss goal and be in that 8% whom accomplish it.
One of the best ways of taking off those unwanted pounds and keeping from regaining it back is exercise. I’d like to throw this concept out there: “exercise in the morning before your brain figures out what you’re doing.” Many people give the excuse that I’ll exercise when I get home but then eat dinner, watch TV and never get around to doing it. Another concept is the five second rule, which is if you hesitate more than five seconds, chances are you won’t do what you set out to do. The example mentioned above is about not exercising because you keep putting it off.
So, next time you get home do not eat supper or watch TV but immediately drive to the gym or go inside your house and do a simple five-minute workout. Same holds true when dieting; learn to walk by all the goodies immediately at work not allowing that five second hesitation that most people do then give in to the temptation.
Motivation or the lack of it is usually an excuse people believe that prevents the new year’s resolution from being achieved. The belief of many is that some people are motivated and others just don’t have this trait. Research demonstrates this not to be true. Motivation is not from within but is built by actually completing tasks. Each time you do a task, whether big or small, you feel better about yourself – that builds motivation.
Last but not least, you must follow the “golden rule”: there are no excuses.
Believe it or not, the answer to succeed is in your failures. Why have you failed each year’s resolution? The reason you failed could be your goal was too big or you didn’t have a detailed plan laid out before you started. Try becoming more conscious on ways around challenges, looking for solutions rather than giving up.
Good luck this year on making your goals come true.
For more information about any of the free services offered by your local Family Health Team, ask your doctor or nurse practitioner, visit the website www.afhto.ca or google ‘family health team locations’.
Mike Libbey is a Registered Dietitian at Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Fergus.
