Q: I made a New Year's resolution to lose weight, but am having trouble sticking with my goals and keeping motivated. Do you have any tips?
A: Many people start out well with weight loss programs, but give up before any significant results are seen. According to Dr. Dale Schoeller, a nutritional science professor at UW-Madison, a loss of one to two pounds per week is appropriate. So, be patient and expect slow weight loss for better long-term maintenance!
Also, according to Dr. Sachiko T. St. Jeor, focusing just on consuming less energy makes weight loss difficult. Add regular physical activity and an appropriate mental component for better success and maintenance of weight loss.
Your healthy lifestyle plan should also meet all nutritional needs. To do that, your diet should contain at least 1200 to 1600 calories per day. Otherwise, you are probably missing many essential vitamins and minerals. To find a healthy dieting plan, try following the food guide pyramid, which emphasizes low-fat, high-fiber choices and adequate nutrients. Go to www.mypyramid.gov to help find a specific plan for you.
One last tip is to find motivation through a friend who is looking to achieve the same common goals. You can help each other remain focused and stay motivated.
