A Happy and Fresh New Year!

Well, it's here. The new year has arrived along with our expectations to follow through with our ever predictable resolution-to lose weight. While some may disregard the yearly tradition to get back into shape, it's actually helped me get back into it.

It wasn't until my last year's resolution where I found the umpf to jump start my new healthy lifestyle. Reflecting back on the year 2011, I've actually accomplished a lot to get me on the right path.

• started going to the gym on a daily basis (4-5 times a week)
• cut out fast food completely
• avoided buying unhealthy snacks to beat temptation
• started juicing and eating more vegetables
• gained knowledge of healthy eating habits
• cut down my eating portions (This rule of thumb came in handy for me- Eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a pauper for dinner.)
• replaced morning coffee with green tea
• started taking fish oil and multivitamin pills everyday
• became familiar with workout and weight machines at the gym
• drank water 90% of the time
• bought less processed and microwavable foods
• started buying organic meat and produce (and yes, I notice a taste and quality difference, especially in chicken and beef. Cleaner is better)
• replaced the little sweets that I had left with fruits
• avoided foods that contained high fructose corn syrup (although some I just couldn't, such as ketchup and what not. Yum.)
• cut down consumption of enriched flour and opt for whole wheat/grain as alternatives

Of course, I didn't achieve these all at once. Everything takes time and so did my new eating habits. It also helps when you have support on your side be it friends, family, partner, or even coworkers. Just them knowing about your goals help motivate the continuation of your process and pushes you to prove to them that you can achieve them.

It's more rewarding when others see how strong and determined you are about your weight loss journey. Encouragement is a big factor that plays in the struggling path of weight loss. You need all the help and support you can get. Whether it's books, blogs, websites, social communities, neighbors, etc, try to surround yourself with positive people and energy and you'll be able to succeed in your new resolution. Believe in yourself and this journey will lead to a better sense of well being along with physical and mental strength.