January, 2012. Another New Year’s day has come and gone. Once again it’s hard not to make several resolutions especially around weight lost. Making resolutions might work for a day or two and they might even work for a few weeks, but eventually we revert back to our old behaviors. Every year I love to make several New Year resolutions. For a moment it gives me a feeling of power and control over my future actions. I also know that my commitment to those resolutions have no staying power. Within a few weeks or even a few days I am back to habits that have been part of my life for decades. This year, however, I really would like to figure out how to behave differently, so I’ve decided to make changes very slowly.

We all want to feel and look our best, and most of us know that by changing our diets that is something that can be accomplished. Here is my plan for making weight loss a successful endeavor in 2012:

1. Become your own expert on how you might lose weight. Read blogs that focus on healthy eating. Listen to podcasts on making healthy food choices while you go on a walk. Search the web for information on losing weight.

2. Don’t change your diet all at once. Commit to eating one healthy meal each day. Eat a whole grain cereal for breakfast rather than a sugary cereal. Eat a large salad instead of a sandwich with chips for lunch. Finish it off with a beautiful, delicious apple.

3. Eliminate processed foods. If the label on a food has items that are hard to pronounce then you probably shouldn’t be eating it. Get rid of refined sugars from your diet.

4. Add lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables to your plate of food.

5. Eat when you are hungry. Do not eat when you are not hungry.

Make these changes very slowly. If you are overweight you probably didn’t add the weight in a day so don’t expect to lose it quickly. Set small goals for yourself. Don’t forget to feel good about your successes. It is not easy work, but it is worth the effort.