Weight loss consistently ranks among the most popular New Year’s resolutions. With the holiday season over, the turning calendar represents a fresh start for those looking to make improvements in their personal lives — including many people who are looking to shed some weight.
Unfortunately, too many people who make resolutions to lose weight quickly lose their motivation. In fact, 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions cannot sustain their commitment past February.
Why can it be so difficult to use your New Year’s resolutions to help you achieve your weight loss goals? The answer very likely lies in your expectations — and in how soon you believe they should be met.
If reaching your weight loss goals has been a struggle in years past, stop to consider how realistic those goals have been. If you’re hoping to see results overnight, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. Whether you elect to go with bariatric surgery or to follow a non-surgical weight loss program, a desire for instant gratification can actually hinder your progress toward living a healthier life.
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding weight loss surgery is that it can produce rapid weight loss. While many patients do experience dramatic weight loss in the weeks immediately following their procedure, this isn’t true for everyone. Consequently, being patient at every step of your weight loss journey is the most important factor to your success.
Here are three tips that can help you stay more resolved — and on track to achieving your weight loss goals — all year-round.
1) Focus on weight loss discipline.
Developing new and healthier habits takes time. You’ve probably heard that it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit, but some researchers suggest it could take up to 66 days or more for a new habit to stick. That means it’s going to take discipline to keep to your weight loss plan if you want to see measurable results. It also means that when you get bored, reach a plateau, or simply don’t feel like rising to meet your daily challenges, you must find the inner strength to press on.
2) Find a support system.
Receiving encouragement, motivation and inspiration from others along your weight loss adventure can truly spell the difference between success and failure. Keep in mind that losing weight means making and coping with other significant life changes. For that reason, having others on your team who can offer emotional, practical and inspirational support is essential for your progress.
At McCarty Weight Loss Center, we know that it’s not always easy to find positive support from your loved ones. That why we provide our patients with access to multiple weight loss support groups.
3) Pay attention to the little changes.
You may not see your excess weight rapidly melt away, but, if you pay close attention, you might discover that you have several small victories to celebrate.
Maybe your clothes fitting a little bit looser. Maybe you feel like you have more energy throughout the day. Perhaps you are finding it easier to resist your cravings, or you are less dependent on the medication prescribed for your weight-related health conditions. These are all accomplishments that move you closer to your ultimate weight loss goals.
Moreover, if you’re feeling discouraged by the scale, take your measurements. You may be losing inches but not seeing drastic changes in weight because you’re exercising more and replacing body fat with lean muscle.
Achieving your weight loss goals is a process. You didn’t put on the extra weight overnight, and you shouldn’t expect that you’ll lose it overnight, either. Don’t let your desire for instant gratification dampen your enthusiasm or weaken your resolve. Stay patient, be focused and remain disciplined — you will see results.
Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? Contact Dr. Todd McCarty at First Baptist Medical Center today to learn more about how he can help you reach your weight loss goals.
