4 Reasons Why Weight Loss New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work … (and what to do about them)

4 Reasons Why Weight Loss New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work … (and what to do about them) by The Weight Wizard

It's become the American way. As the ball drops in Times Square ringing in 2008, millions of Americans will be shifting from holiday gluttony to their annual New Year's resolution of dieting and deprivation to lose weight - which, as you know, NEVER survives the test of time!

Want to do it again in 2009? We both know the answer to that - you want off of the diet roller coaster!

Is a New Year's resolution to lose weight a bad idea? YES! But… you still want to lose some weight. How do you reconcile wanting to lose weight without making a New Year's resolution to lose weight?

Because we can't change what we do not understand, you must understand the fundamental flaws - the faulty psychology - in a New Year's resolution around weight loss…

1) New Year's Resolutions to lose weight have consistently failed to produce the desired lifelong weight control result. At best they "work" temporarily" and that's if they "work" at all!

2) A New Year's Resolution to lose weight may generate weight loss and appear to work, but weight loss is NOT the cure for weight problems (if it was, we would have an epidemic of thin people, NOT fat people!).

3) “Knowing” in early December that a New Year's Resolution around a weight loss goal will be made creates permissiveness (and need) to over-indulge up to that time - because, after all, come January, “I'm going on a strict diet.”

4) This “on a diet” or “off a diet” mentality does not produce behavior patterns that are ultimately effective during trial by fire in the real world over time.

“This is all cute,” you say. “But, if I'm not going to make a New Year's Resolution around weight loss, what do I do about my weight problem?”

I wrote above, “New Year's Resolutions to lose weight have consistently failed to produce lifelong weight control result that you desire.” You have the opportunity to adjust your resolution. Here are my three guidelines for making a New Year's resolution around weight control …

1) Resolve to learn what is necessary to consistently feed yourself in a healthy manner - aside from what diets and experts say, learn what works for YOU nutritionally.

2) Resolve to understand and master the psychology of successful weight control - the issues and dynamics in your life that impact your food behavior.

3) Resolve to learn how to balance what needs to balanced in your life so you get what you want as much as possible in all arenas in which food is involved (weight, health, social, satisfaction, taste preference, convenience, etc.).

Notice that these are not quick fix solutions, but rather designed to generate balance in life and the lifelong weight control you REALLY desire.

And remember… ill conceived shortcuts are inevitably MORE time consuming and MORE expensive! The typical New Year's Resolution to lose weight has proven to be just that. Don't fall for that trap again!

Gary Avignon, a psychotherapist of almost 20 years, specializes with food, nutrition and weight issues. He is the author of a revolutionary new book, Weight Wizardry 101: Introduction to The Psychology of Successful Weight Control. YOU can nab Chapter One, “The Single Biggest Secret That Causes Diet Failure”, for *FR*EE* for a limited time at www.theweightwizard.com.

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10 Easy Weight Loss Diet Tips by Margarethe de Clermont

Want to lose weight effortlessly but healthily? It's easy to lose weight with these easy diet tips. Pay close attention to what you eat and drink, but no need to make dramatic sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to start your weight loss program or give your diet a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt.

1. Keep a food diary. Make a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to count calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%.

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fibre and reduce fat.

6. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping too - make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

7. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda - the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.

9. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fibre will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals. Choose food that you must chew. Again this will increase your fibre intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

Making gradual changes is easier for both your mind and your body to accept and get used to. If you follow these easy weight loss diet tips you will not feel deprived, and you may even find that is all you need to do to reach your target weight.

Dr de Clermont is an experienced medical doctor, a certified NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist. She is the author of several weight loss articles. She firmly advocates self hypnosis for weight loss at www.hypnosis-for-diets.com. Subscribe to her Gorgeous Gourmet newsletter to get the "Secrets of Weight Loss through Hypnosis" report FREE. Her weight loss ebooks are at www.browse-ebooks.com

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