FROM OUR SPONSOR: New Year, New You

SPONSORED BY

By Sue Schick
CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania & Delaware

Many of us make the same New Year’s resolution year after year, only to find that we can’t make it stick. This year, if you are looking to keep the pounds off, set modest goals and take it slowly.

Though there’s enough dieting advice out there to fill a dozen refrigerators, be wary of programs that offer quick weight-loss solutions. For long-term weight loss, make an effort to change habits. Start with these tips:

• Maintain a sensible calorie intake. If you cut back too much, you will risk failure and lose muscle tissue—not fat. A one- to two-pound per week weight loss is optimal.
• Spread your calories throughout the day. Do you eat as little as possible during the day so you can “save” calories for later? This approach almost always backfires. You’ll find yourself raiding the kitchen by late afternoon. Eat every three hours to keep hunger at bay.
• Keep a food journal. Write down everything that you eat and drink along with the time. Little things can add up.
• Be positive. Don’t approach this with a diet mentality. View your resolution in a positive light, not as a means of punishment for past behavior.
• Exercise! If you want to trim down, include regular exercise in your life on most days of the week.
Remember, losing weight isn’t just a matter of looking good, but of staying healthy.

READ MORE: About new ways to help your New Year’s Resolutions!