Realistic expectations:
Losing weight in 2008 can be a resolution that sticks
By KIMBERLY A. RAPP Food Safety and Nutrition Agent Clemson University Extension Service
Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight or eat healthier? If so, you've had some time since the first of the year to get started on it. Are you still sticking to it?

Unfortunately, this is about the time of year when many people stop working on their resolution to eat healthier or lose weight, simply because they have lost the motivation. If this sounds familiar, there is a simple way to help yourself get on

track and help you achieve your resolution for the entire year

and longer.

It has been shown that people looking to make changes in their eating habits and keep them for a lifetime have been successful when they have made changes one step at a time. In other words, they decide what needs to be changed in their lifestyle in regards to their eating habits and work on each change separately until they have successfully incorporated these habits into their everyday life.

So, if you have found yourself not being able to keep on track with your New Year's resolution to lose weight or eat healthier, here is a simple guide to help you:

Take some time to write down 12 separate health and nutrition related goals that you would like to achieve. For example: exercise five days a week for a half hour; decrease soda consumption;

eat a serving more of both fruits and vegetables daily, etc. Make sure to make your goals realistic and something that you are willing to change and achieve.

Once you have your completed list, prioritize your goals. Everyone is different, so you may choose to list your easier goals first, or maybe work on the harder first. Again, just make sure you are realistic when prioritizing them.

Once you have done this, you essentially have your game plan for the year. All you need to do is work on

achieving your first goal by the end of the month. Since

you have completed your first month, while still working

on your first goal, start working on your second goal.

Continue to do this each month by adding on your next

goal and continue working on fine-tuning the goals for

the previous months. By the end of the year, you

should have accomplished all of your goals and have

incorporated them into your daily routine.

This is an easy way to help you keep on track with achieving your goals of a healthy lifestyle. Do remember when you are doing this to always be

realistic with each goal and the time frame in

which you are deciding to achieve your goals. This method of slowly incorporating small changes into your lifestyle will set you up for success.