Expert Advice: Healthy Tips
New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition all around the world. Every year, people list out wishes and goals for the upcoming year in hopes of achieving success. Unfortunately, according to a study conducted by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people actually achieve their resolution goals.
It may come as no surprise but the top three New Year’s Resolutions from 2019 were focused on losing weight and being healthier.
In an effort to increase the resolution-success rate, here are a few tips to help stay on track with your weight loss goals.
Exercising More
Diet and exercise go together like all-natural peanut butter and low-sugar jelly on whole grain bread. But before you jump right into exercising, it’s vital that you schedule a physical exam with your primary care provider. A physical exam will help you and your doctor assess your overall health and ensure your heart and body are healthy enough to perform strenuous exercise routines. In addition to a physical exam, you should also schedule yearly appointments with your primary care provider. This will help your doctor identify possible diseases or issues that may become medical concerns in the future.
Dieting and Eating Healthier
Fad diets come and go. While some may result in healthier eating and possible weight loss, they are often difficult to maintain. Their rules and guidelines may be too difficult to follow and cheat meals can quickly turn into cheat days, then cheat weeks and so on. When it comes to dieting and eating healthier, getting back to the basics is best. Choose lean proteins, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoid foods with high saturated fat and sugar content. Small, healthy changes over time will be easier to follow and you’ll be more likely to stick with your diet plan.
Losing Weight
Your diet is on point and you are hitting the gym regularly, but you still cannot seem to lose weight. This is a problem we see often at the Cotton O’Neil Weight Management Center. The American Medical Association recognizes obesity as a disease. Once obesity is established, there are factors that make it very difficult for people to lose weight and keep it off. Sometimes dieting and exercising are not enough. If you’ve tried everything to lose weight and still aren’t seeing the results you want, you may want to schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian, who can help guide you along your weight-loss journey.
It is easy to become disheartened when the number on the scale refuses to budge. However, there are other means by which to measure success. Tracking your Body Mass Index (BMI), taking progress photos and recording your measurements} are all great ways to help motivate you along your journey.
