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.
- Keep your appointments, even if you think you’ve gained weight. Studies show that people who come 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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