When we ring in the New Year, it’s a thought on the minds of millions of people. THIS will be the year for me to lose weight! Sound familiar? So, if you’ve made this resolution before, and struggled, read on. To ring in 2009, I’ve got some fresh ideas for you to make this a successful year to lose weight, and keep it off for the long term.

When it comes to losing weight, the New Year is a time to get a fresh start, a “do-over” for our past dieting mistakes. To make this year different, you’ve first got to learn from your past mistakes, and not beat yourself up about them. Here’s how: you’ve got to ditch the “magical thinking” that somehow you’ll lose weight, and you’ll figure out a plan as you go along. Remember, it didn’t take a month to gain your weight, and it won’t take a month to lose it! In fact, it takes about 3 weeks to make a new habit, so you will be slugging it out a bit, at first. It does get a lot easier!

“Losing weight” is only a vague term, unless you begin some specific actions to do so. “Eating better” and “Being more active” don’t mean much unless you have thought out the ways you’ll make this happen.

Here are my top four reality-based strategies to jump-start your New Year’s weight loss effort. I’d also love to hear some of your favorite ways to start off a new healthier lifestyle in January!

1. Set specific goals: Things like eating 5 fruits and veggies a day, or walking for 30 minutes daily, or limiting your snacking to one between-meal snack each day, are the kinds of specific goals you need to be a better eater and to be more physically active. These actions lead to weight loss.

2. Include activities you enjoy: While trimming calories is always key to weight loss, physical activity makes this effort easier, and helps keep the weight off for the long term. But only if you keep up with the activity! That’s where most people struggle. Choose an activity you enjoy – and want to do, rather than need to do. Try activities like ballroom or salsa dancing, or rent a DVD of an activity you’d like to learn more about. Try a book on tape or some favorite music while you walk.

3. Don’t do it alone: Many of us feel isolated when trying to lose weight. Find a “diet buddy” to support you through the good and challenging times. A partner for a mall-walk, or to try a new yoga class, or a restaurant buddy, to enjoy a social meal, splitting entrees and a dessert. It’s the best when you just need a little support when you’re feeling down, and might trigger some emotional eating. A friendly voice who understands can often sqwelch that impulse.

4.Drop the "All or Nothing" Approach: When it comes to losing weight, many of us are “black and white” thinkers - “on” a diet or “off” a diet, with nothing in between. That comes from unrealistic expectations; when the bar is set too high, we just can’t maintain that effort, and we feel that we’ve failed, and give up. It’s normal to get off track, and when that happens, just pick up the next day. Plus, structure in a plan a great, leaving a little of what I call “wiggle room” to avoid deprivation. Rigidity in a plan is an indication of a lack of control; if the plan is altered, it falls apart. When it comes to a weight loss plan – it’s really a lifestyle plan. Small changes over time pay off!

Happy New Year to all!

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