Recently we emailed a quiz to our patients and a whopping 90% of those who answered have set a resolution to begin a weight loss diet, invest in yourself, get fitter and just generally improve your health and well-being.
But when we asked why you hadn’t started your weight loss diet sooner, the answer was almost always the same:
“I keep putting it off as I’ve got no motivation.”
Have you set a BIG goal – to reach a certain dress size? To lose a certain amount of weight? To give up a certain food?
Or, perhaps, because you know that around 80% of all New Year’s resolutions fail, and you’ve failed before at your resolutions, you’ve not even made one this year, to save yourself the disappointment.
Why do we make resolutions?
The need to make a resolution comes from our desire to make ourselves better or improve certain aspects of our lives.
This idea in itself is really wonderful, but actually, a lot of resolutions are made from negative views of ourselves.
Hating the way we look, feeling negatively about ourselves or low self-image.
Most of the time, resolutions are made off the back of two highly indulgent weeks of eating and drinking at Christmas and we feel so disgusted with ourselves, that it begins a health kick in us.
But the pressure we feel when life returns to it’s new year routine can often lead to our resolutions failing at the first hurdle.
But why do 80% of resolutions fail?
To be honest, most resolutions fail as you aren’t ready to take them on and haven’t got yourself in the right frame of mind.
Think about times you have failed at your resolutions before, why didn’t you get to your goals?
Recognising that you need to make a change for your health and setting your resolution is the first step.
Your mindset
The next step is perhaps the hardest – being able to implement the changes you have to, in order to reach your resolution.
If your mindset and willpower is not strong, you will struggle to make the changes you need to.
For example – if you are looking to eat healthier and start a weight loss diet, you know you’ve got to give up the high-fat junk foods.
But if you completely eliminate those foods from your diet, you risk binge-eating them when your emotions get the better of you or you get a craving, which can completely throw your resolution off track.
Your Planning
Then once you know what to do to make the healthier changes and begin your weight loss diet, you have to plan!
Make a meal plan, plan your exercise for weight loss and plan for when you know you have moments of weakness and reach for the biscuit tin.
Your Support System
f you don’t have a robust support system around you, you will find it harder to stick to your resolution.
Your support system when starting a weight loss diet could be those who live with you, a close friend, family members or colleagues.
Or, it could be a weight loss clinic, such as The Slimming Clinic, who specialise in helping our patients to reach their weight loss goals!
How can a resolution be a success?
So you’ve failed a resolution before. That doesn’t mean your resolution cannot be a success this time!
Read more from our Health Not Habits Blog about how to make your weight loss diet a success this year. And remember – every failure is a lesson you can learn from. Don’t think that just because you’ve failed before, you won’t succeed this time.
If you are serious about losing weight, talk to the professionals. Our GMC-registered Doctors are experts in weight loss. Which option suits you best to request your programme?
You can book a video consultation with our expert weight loss doctors, so you can discuss your health goals and explore how you wish to approach your weight loss.
Alternatively, you can browse and request our weight loss treatments online. Simply complete your online assessment, and our weight loss doctors will review the information and prescribe treatments accordingly. Your prescription will be delivered directly to your door, and you’ll receive ongoing support from our team throughout your weight loss journey.