"Maintain, Don't Gain" Finishes Another Year

Need help making a resolution that will stick? Here's some advice from the final issue of the "Maintain, Don't Gain" Holiday Challenge.

Don't worry, though...

- Our blog will continue to offer healthy tidbits weekly to get you prepared for the 2012 Granville-Vance Weight Loss Challenge!

- For more in-depth coverage of health issues, sign up your church or religious group for the Health Department's monthly Health Message. If interested, e-mail heatherpr1@yahoo.com.

- Or, sign up for Eat Smart Move More's (ESMM) monthly newsletter at www.myeatsmartmovemore.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looking Ahead in 2012

As the new year kicks off, thoughts turn to resolutions and the ever growing list of what we want to improve...to do better...to change.

We vow that this year will be different than the last. All too often by June those resolutions are long forgotten. This year, set out to make achievable resolutions that you will stick with throughout the year.

Grab a pen and a piece of paper because if you're a resolution maker, these tips will help you start 2012 off on the right foot:

This year, make SMART goals - ones that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and have a timeline.

- Think of two to three things that you want to achieve. Rank them in order of importance. This gives you a chance to see what is most important to you.

- Read over your goals. Are they realistic? Are you ready to make the changes and sacrifices needed to achieve them? Are they really doable? Adjust them as needed until your goals are challenging but aren't unachievable.

- Write your goals out again - this time make them as specific as possible. Instead of "walk more" write down "walk ___ days per week for at least ___ minutes each time."

- Set a plan. Come up with concrete steps about how you will accomplish your goals.

- Finally, create a chart or poster with your goals and put it somewhere you will see often - on the bathroom mirror, over your desk or carry a small version in your wallet. Just make sure to look at it frequently to remind yourself of where you are going and also to see how far you've progressed!

(Missed ESMM's earlier articles??? Go to our "Maintain, Don't Gain" page on the left sidebar.)