No New Years Resolutions - Please!

Believe me, I understand how tempting it is to look at the New Year as a clean slate. For chronic dieters, New Year's Day is the ultimate Monday. Unfortunately, resolutions have about a 90% failure rate, combine that with the 95% three year failure rate of most diet plans, and well, you do the math. These statistics are depressing enough to send anyone to the couch with a bag of chips. But you are not anyone. There are ways to beat the odds. I know because I have beaten them and so can you.

Throw out the notion of dieting. Think long term. Besides, even the experts do not agree on what the "perfect" diet is.

Have a plan! Willpower has very little to do with eating right. Having the food readily available that you want is key. If you don't want to eat it, don't buy it.

Eat real food including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Beware of foods that make health claims. The healthiest foods have no labels!!

Fat-free foods are not necessarily better for you.

Avoid foods and drinks made with high-fructose corn syrup.

Eat a wide variety of foods.

Eat until you are satisfied, but not stuffed. Amounts matter as much as food choices.

Exercise is essential to weight loss and maintenance. However, beware of overestimating how many calories a workout will burn.

And as always, enjoy the foods you eat. You have a limited number of calories per day, use them wisely.

Running in the Rain

Anyone can run or take a brisk walk on the first beautiful day of spring, but it takes a certain kind of dedication to run in a torrential winter rain. With Stacy O leading the charge, and Mary not at all happy about being called a wimp, we took to the streets yesterday in a steady downpour. It was glorious. The more times you exercise in adverse conditions, the more it becomes who you are. Becoming a dedicated exerciser doesn't just happen. It is a choice you make, everyday. You don't have to like exercise, you just have to do it. The secret is finding the right balance for you. I like running because it is cheap and you can do it anywhere, anytime. Also running is a fantastic calorie burner. I would rather run and eat a little more, than be sedentary and have to watch every calorie I put in my mouth. Don't wait until the next beautiful day to get started. Today is your day. Exercise is a proven way to combat winter blues. And who doesn't want to welcome the first spring day already in kick-ass shape?

The first step is always the hardest. Start by imagining yourself as an athlete. Once you accept the possibility that you can actually do this, you have won half the battle.

Always start within your abilities. Set realistic goals of maybe running 5 minutes and then walking 5 minutes.

Increase your exercise time by 5 minute increments.

Log either your miles or your minutes to keep track of how much you have accomplished.

Run with a friend for companionship and motivation. It is hard to skip a run if you know your friend is waiting for you on the corner.

Or run with your dog.

Or run your errands - literally. If you want to eat a snack run to the store and get it.

The more you exercise the easier it gets.

Besides, no one has ever felt better after eating an entire bag of chips, but people always report feeling better after exercise. So, if you are tired and stressed out, put down the greasy snacks and take to the streets. Even if it is raining. Especially if it is raining!