New Year’s Day is the time to start thinking about resolutions for the year ahead. As I started thinking about my own, I came up with a few resolutions for all my patients. This year, I hope that you all resolve to do a few simple things that will make a huge difference in your weight loss journey.

  1. Keep your appointments, even if you think you’ve gained weight. Studies show that people who comeĀ  to their appointments lose weight more effectively; we’re your partners and we’re here to help and keep you accountable on your journey. We need to see you to be the best partners that we can.
  2. Get 7-8 hours of sleep- every night. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain, increased risk of dementia and many other adverse health outcomes. We’ll be running a whole series of articles on sleep this month, so stay tuned.
  3. Track your calories; both in and out. Calorie tracking isn’t about deprivation, its about awareness. Studies show that people who track their calories in and out lose 3-4 times the amount of weight than those who don’t. You can use an app, a journal or any tool that makes sense to you.
  4. It’s time to get moving! Walk, jog, try yoga, take the dog out more often; it’s time to move a little more than you did the day before. You don’t need to buy any special equipment or join a gym, just move a little more than yesterday.

I know that this journey isn’t simple or easy, but I know that it can be successful. Let’s all resolve to make 2018 better than 2017.

Happy New Year!

-Dr. Laffey