Setting Smaller Resolutions to Lose Big

As much as I love the holidays, my waistline is very glad that the season of eating is over. I feel like I was mindlessly wandering through various valleys full of sugar-packed treats and carb-heavy side dishes. I am still trying to get back to my pre-Christmas weight and continue my journey toward my goal weight.

I am really excited about the New Year! Unfortunately, I've always been one of the "oh, I'll start Monday" type of person, meaning that I always look for a good time to start losing weight, exercising, getting back on track, etc.

In reality, every day and every meal is a good time to get back on the healthy track; however, when you are someone like me who really looks forward to a Monday-like start date, the first Monday of a new month of a brand-new year is a gold mine in terms of weight loss motivation.

I am so sick of having one of my New Year's resolutions be to lose weight. So my resolution of 2011 is to not start 2012 with a weight loss resolution. My resolution for 2011 is to finally get to a healthy, manageable weight.

How do I do that?

First, I need to focus on all of the things that I've learned up until now: exercise consistently and make better food choices.

Let's go a little deeper. Maybe all along my plan has been too broad. Maybe I need to add in smaller steps along the way toward the bigger picture. I've always been the planning type, both in college and in my professional career. I like detailed and specific action points, which is what I need to apply to my weight loss.

Here are the ways I'm going to get to meet my New Year's resolution:

1. Run at least 20 miles each month. I currently run about a mile to a mile and a half per session. This means I need to run 15 to 20 times per month. As I (hopefully) increase my mileage during each run, the miles per month may also increase.

2. Exercise at least four times a week for no less than 30 minutes. I can watch television, read a book, talk on the phone and play online for more than 30 minutes at a time. Shouldn't I devote at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week to improve my health?

3. Cut fried foods out of my diet completely. Over the course of this blog I have done an excellent job of limiting fried foods, such as French fries and potato chips, but they are my fall-back comfort foods. Right now, I know that I am not at a point in my journey where I can allow myself to enjoy these foods in small doses or on special occasions.

4. I will focus on smaller milestones. I have set small rewards for every five to 10 pounds of weight loss. Rewards range from new songs on my MP3 player at my next five-pound loss to a $100 shopping trip when I hit my goal weigh. I have already started saving so that I can treat myself to a few new things.

To aid in my weight loss, I will track what I eat, as well as my exercise minutes. I have a separate calendar for writing down my workouts for each day. I can honestly say I have never had more determination or drive to get to where I need to be in terms of my weight, and I look forward to the challenges and successes of 2011!