Time to Get Back on TrackJanuary is the time when many people resolve to lose weight and improve their health. Unfortunately, su

Submitted by Brittany King, APN, WHNP, Advanced Women’s Healthcare

January is the time when many people resolve to lose weight and improve their health. Unfortunately, such good intentions rarely last longer than a month or so. In fact, it is estimated that only eight percent of people who make resolutions — no matter what time of year — stick to them. Even if your resolution wasn’t health related — maybe you’ve vowed to be more organized, or get your finances under control — why do most people find it so difficult to make lasting positive life changes? Take a look at the following reasons that often cause people to give up and slip back into old patterns.

1. They don’t give themselves enough time to succeed. It takes 10 to 12 years to become a doctor, thousands of hours of apprenticeship to become a carpenter, nine months to have a baby, yet many people start a healthy eating program for a few weeks or months before deciding that it just isn’t working for them. Unfortunately, we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, and underestimate what we can accomplish in a year.
2. They lack desire. Many people wish they could lose weight, but they don’t want this badly enough to change their behavior. Adopting a healthy lifestyle may require hard work and self-discipline. So, ask yourself if this is a goal that you really, really, really, want to achieve. If it isn’t, you aren’t likely to take the steps needed to reach it.
3. They don’t have a plan. People often just let each day take care of itself. It’s important to not only plan what you will and won’t eat, but plan for what you will do when confronted with situations that you know will cause you to slip-up. Remember that your weight loss and fitness goal is yours — not what someone else thinks it should be. Even the smallest goal requires a plan.
4. They don’t have the right attitude. People fail who don’t believe strongly enough in themselves and their purpose. Remember that 90 percent of achieving a goal is to believe that you can achieve it! So, when you get off-track, the key is to reset! Let’s say your goal is to eat more vegetables, stop drinking soda pop, and cut out extra sugar. Then you went on vacation and couldn’t resist the all-you-can-eat buffets. Don’t give up, but instead adjust the plan.
   
   
5. Their goals are too general. The goal can’t just be to “lose weight” or “get fit.” The goal needs to be structured in a way that is S.M.A.R.T. — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. So, the goal might be to lose one pound each week or to cut out just one serving of pasta. If you have a big goal, break it down into smaller steps.
   
   
6. They make excuses. Be honest with yourself and recognize an excuse for exactly what it is — the easy way out of reaching your goals. Sometimes, we’ve made excuses so often that we actually believe they are true. “I don’t have the time to cook healthy meals” or “it’s too expensive to eat healthy food” are simply excuses. Instead of coming up with a reason why you aren’t making progress, figure out a way to overcome the obstacle.

Spring is the ideal time to get back on track and make a fresh start. Believe in yourself, seek help if you need it, and you can be unstoppable!

Brittany King is an advanced practice nurse specializing in women’s health. She works alongside Dele Ogunleye, M.D., to provide a full range of obstetric and gynecologic services. She is now offering a new program for weight loss. To find out more, you may contact Brittany at Advanced Women’s Healthcare at 309-808-3068 or www.awhcare.com. The office is located at 2111 East Oakland Avenue (Next to the Jewel-Osco Plaza).