In a couple of days, it will be January. A time for new beginnings…a time to make the changes we’ve all been meaning to make or wishing would happen. The hubby and I have an advantage this year – we got a great head start on changing our eating habits and weight since we joined Nutrisystem in October.
Lots of people asked us WHAT we were thinking beginning a weight loss program at the start of what I like to call “the holiday eating season” which runs from Halloween through New Year’s Day. Looking back, I’m so glad we did! Like most people, I usually kick off the New Year with the same old resolution to “lose weight” without a really good plan of how I’m going to do it. Within a few weeks, I’ve usually broken my resolution and gone back to my old ways. Sound familiar?
This year I already have a plan, and it’s working! When I ring in 2013, I’ll be reflecting on my weight loss accomplishments so far, and looking forward to keep the momentum going! So MY resolution for 2013 is simple: Stick To The Plan. I’ll also make some new resolutions for myself for the coming year: Workout More and Be More Organized are the two main ones that come to mind. Sound familiar, too???
I’ll admit that I don’t yet have a plan for those resolutions, so let me know if you’ve found one that works!
Our New Year’s Wish for you? A Happy and Healthy New Year!
Not that I’m an expert, but based on what I’ve learned so far, here are a few words of advice to help get you started if you’re planning a weight loss resolution for 2013:
- Find a plan you like that’s easy to follow: We’ve all started crazy or extreme diets that are either overly complicated or too strict to follow for more than a few days or weeks. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Do what looks and sounds realistic for your schedule, family situation and lifestyle.
- Don’t expect it to happen overnight: Healthy weight loss takes time. Don’t give up because you aren’t seeing immediate results. Some weeks we lose close to nothing or even gain a little. If you stick with it, it WILL add up. You can see our year-end update below for proof!
- Don’t go it alone: It will be so much easier to stick to a plan or program if you have a partner or get your family involved. If that’s not possible, look for online support or find a virtual weight-loss partner. Programs like Nutrisystem offer forums, discussion boards, blogs and other means of networking, advice and support.
- Commit to staying accountable: Whether you blog, keep a journal, report in weekly to a real-life or virtual weight loss buddy, or use an online tracking app, DO keep to a schedule of recording your progress. It will help you to stay motivated to see how far you’ve come when you look back on it, and it will help keep you make better choices since you know you are going to have to record or report what you ate (and how much you did or didn’t work out).
And speaking of staying accountable, here’s our weekly weight loss update! I’ve also included a year-end breakdown so you can see how we did each week:
This was Christmas week, so of course we ate and drank and celebrated. I managed to still lose 1 pound, while hubby got a little crazy with the eggnog and gained 4.1 lbs. Since the resolution for 2013 is Stick To The Plan, we’re not dwelling on it…just moving on (I’m actually feeling pretty pleased but trying not to rub it in). So far, I’ve lost a total of 21 pounds, and Daisy’s papa has lost 36.2. Here’s our look back at 2012:
Weight Lost: | Liz | Garry |
Week 1 | -4.4 | -10.8 |
Week 2 | -1 | -3 |
Week 3 | -4.2 | -6.8 |
Week 4 | -1.2 | -4.7 |
Week 5 | -1.8 | -2.1 |
Week 6 (Thanksgiving) | -.6 | +5 |
Week 7 | -1.6 | -6.6 |
Week 8 | -2.6 | -4.2 |
Week 9 | -2.4 | -2.4 |
Week 10 | -.2 | -4.7 |
Week 11 (Christmas) | -1 | +4.1 |
Total So Far: | -21 | -36.2 |
Starting Weight: | 189 | 250 |
Current Weight: | 168 | 213.8 |
Are you planning a New Year’s resolution? Got a question, tip or suggestion? We’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment and let us know you stopped by!
If you missed any of our previous Nutrisystem posts, just click here to catch up!
Congrats! 21 pounds is a HUGE accomplishment!
Congrats! Nurtisystem is great
Wow! You are both doing great! Congratulations! It’s great that you already have such fabulous momentum.
That’s great! I love how you’re losing it together – that must really help!
Those are amazing results, and your tips are excellent! I think you chose a great time to start. Have a safe and Happy New Years.
Congratulations to you both. Great job and keep it up. You are an inspiration to many. Happy New Year.
Congrats guys! Love how you are doing it together. My husband and I did a diet together about 1.5 years ago now…think he’s put on a few..haha, we have to get to helping each other better again! Keep it up!
I can appreciate the “don’t go it alone”, but can’t really do anything about that most of the time (small support system). However, there is a “biggest loser contest” at work coming up designed to provide support, so I will be doing that. Wish me luck! 🙂
20 pounds is the goal. That would get me back into shape.