January is the month for New Year’s Resolutions and new beginnings. New Year’s Resolutions often crumble by February or March, but by January many of us try again. Of course the most popular resolution of all is weight loss. Let’s focus on the steps to make the wish for successful weight management into a reality.
Step One: Practice!
You would never wake up January 1st and expect to be able to play the piano, just because you’ve “made up your mind”. Similar to playing a musical instrument, weight management is a complex set of skills. Approach learning these skills in the same way you would approach becoming a musician. Identify what behaviors you need to learn, break them down into smaller parts, learn how to do them, and then practice, practice, practice.
Step Two: Learn!
Human beings do not learn how to not do things. Instead our brains are organized to learn how “to do” things. So, for example, don’t set out to learn how to not eat ice cream sundaes; instead learn how to reliably eat fruit salads!
Step Three: Accountability!
When it comes to human performance challenges, such as being an athlete, human beings do their best when they subject themselves to accountability and coaching. Similarly, accountability and coaching bring out the best performance in weight management. Consider finding a “weight coach”!
Your New Year’s Resolution can succeed if you understand what you need to learn, how you need to learn it, and how to get the support you need to stay with it.
Happy New Year from us here at www.IHMonline.com!
~ Dr. Jeff
HMR at Home® Coach
Tags: Strategies
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 am
Got the resolution set! Now comes the “fun” part… acheiving the goal.
Any tips on travel? I travel rather frequently on business and attend numerous business meals. What recommendations do you have to help keep me on track and maintain my professional goals.
I am going to invest in a “travel” size blender as a starter.
January 4th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
the Magic Bullet is a must. In fact, buy 2 or 3 to keep where you need to go.
January 9th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Sorry for the delay, JR01. Hope the “fun” part has got off to a great start.
There are quite a number of travel related issues, including boyd venable’s good advice about the “bullet”.
Here’s a few thoughts:
- always try to take more food with you than you’re thinking you might need. People frequently end up using more than they planned.
- Make sure you’re bringing a couple of days with you in “carry on” (in case your luggage is lost).
- Stay full! Have a shake or two before meetings or events begin. If you’re feeling brave, bring the shake into the event!
- if possible, find someone to confide in. Just telling someone you’re going to stick to your diet will reinforce your committment.
Also, check out The Traveler’s Guide article in the Strategy Buzz section for additional tips.
Maybe others will have additional thoughts. Let us know, JR01, how it’s going.
Dr. Jeff