How I'm getting on with my New Year's resolution, 2 weeks on

You may remember that a few weeks ago I gave you my top ten tips for success with your New Year's resolutions. Just in case you're wondering whether I applied that advice to my own life, I'm going to share with you how I'm getting on with one of my own resolution: weight loss. Over the past several years, I've gained and lost weight, but to be honest, during the past year all I've done is gain. I became really unhappy with the way I look and decided enough was enough. So; my number one resolution for 2011 is to shift some of that weight. I won't say how much, but let's just say I'll be on a diet for the next few months in order to lose the excess weight healthily and permanently.

Just to review for you, my tips (condensed here) were:

1. Start on your resolution a.s.a.p.;
2. Be as specific as possible;
3. Be as positive as possible;
4. Make your goal manageable;
5. Write your goal and revisit it daily;
6. Plan ahead;
7. Gather support;
8. Build in rewards;
9. If you slip, pick yourself right back up; and
10. Celebrate your success.

This is how I'm doing. I got stuck in a.s.a.p., just as I suggested in tip #1.  On January 3rd, fully disgusted with my post-Christmas body, I decided I had to begin a diet immediately! I couldn't wait another day to ask my friends what to do, buy a new book from the latest diet guru or attend a weight loss group. So, I decided on that morning to ban cookies, cake, cheese and alcohol and say no to second helpings at meals.

By the morning of the 5th, I felt like I was still in shock and knew I needed more structure if I wasn't to fail. To avoid procrastination, I went online and subscribed to WW Pro Points. I skipped the "science" and went straight to the tracker. By filling out my current weight and my goal, I fulfilled #2 and #5 on my list: being specific, writing out and re-visiting my written goal on a daily basis. By filling out the points tracker, which keeps track of what I am eating and its value on the WW plan, I fulfilled # 4 and #6, making the action plan manageable and planning ahead each meal, each day. The computer's in the kitchen, so I really have no excuses...it's a no-brainer.

You may notice that I have skipped #3, which is to make the goal a positive one. In my case, that is "I weigh XXX pounds as of ____ date. :)" Not, "I have to lose XX pounds. :(" But positive is an attitude and I'm afraid that during these past two weeks, my attitude has been less than positive on more than a few occasions. I have felt deprived. I have felt obsessed. I have felt fed up (no pun intended). Frankly, I have to look frequently at my post-it note with my positive goal written on it. I visualize myself at the goal weight, wearing something 3 sizes smaller that isn't designed to cover up bulges and bits.

Now that I have admitted my own frailty, I can move on to tip #7. Gathering support is one of the most important tools you can have in your kit.  My first move was to explain my goal to my husband and children and ask for their support. The children will have to get used to not having crisps and cakes in the house. My husband has agreed not to offer me second helpings. I am a hungry girl with an appetite that can match his most of the time. He gets up for seconds and invariably I say "oh, yes, go ahead, please." No more. I have also asked friends for support by going with me for weekly walks. Two have agreed. Planned ahead, these walks are good exercise, but also give me an opportunity to get empathy and recipes! My proviso to you...don't just expect support, be proactive and ask for it in exactly the form you need it. 

Rewards are essential, as per tip #8. I've decided to weigh myself only once a week, on the day assigned to me by my online weight tracker. I lost 2 pounds in Week One. It wasn't the 3 or 4 pounds I'd hoped to lose, and it doesn't show at all, so I will admit to some disappointment. However, not willing to let this get in my way, I rewarded myself with a bunch of tulips. The trick is not to reward myself with food, which is how I got to where I am now. I love colourful, fresh flowers on my desk, so it's the obvious choice for the weekly weight loss for me. I have in mind some new clothes and a spa day for the bigger milestones (20 lbs.) Think about how you would like to reward yourself for different levels of achievement in your New Year's resolutions.

So far, I haven't slipped off track, but if I did, I know that the trick for success is tip #9: to pick myself right back up and move forward. One portion of chips or dessert may slow down a week's weight loss, but shouldn't de-rail the entire plan. If I know we have a meal coming up which is less controllable because it's at a restaurant or someone else's house, I can save up points for a couple of days and use them on the night. Likewise, if I had too much bread or butter, or indulged a craving for chocolate one day, I could cut back on the extra points on the days following. The point is to not be defeatist and think "I'll NEVER succeed." You can, and you will, if you treat it as a blip that can be corrected and minimize the damage done.

Finally, tip #10 is to celebrate your success. I will have no problem doing that. I have big plans for when I finally achieve my total weight loss. I can see myself now, smiling, healthier, slimmer... 

Whatever your goals for 2011, you can use the same tips to help you structure your actions and achieve success.

Comments

[Lauren]

Something we talked about in one of my infertility support groups is that we all had a tendency to want to say, "Have a baby!" as a goal. But in order to truly be successful and not feel disappointed, we need to choose things that we have control over - and clearly infertility is not something we have control over. We were instead encouraged to hone in on goals relating to our infertility, such as to do more things to care for ourselves (take a class, read more books, etc) or improving our health (do yoga, learn a new way of cooking). It makes it feel much more positive!

ICLW #100

[Lisa Marsh]

Hi Lauren,

I agree with that completely and often give the same suggestion to my coaching clients. Focus on changing the things you can, and eventually the small achievements will all add up to better health, a balanced life and a happier person. You sound like a positive person anyway, which is an essential ingredient in a fully happy life.

Lisa

[Jul]

Congrats on getting such a great start on your resolutions! Mine kind of got put on hold as an unexpected trip took me out of my normal environment for most of January. I figure February 1st will make just as good of a start date. :)