The No. 1 New Year’s Resolution – Lose Weight

Many Americans resort to the same New Year’s Resolution year after year, to lose weight. According to a new survey commissioned by Weight Watchers about half (45%) of Americans say losing weight will be their New Year's resolution again, for 2009. This year, Sport&Health Clubs, would like to make 2009 the year that makes the difference---- for ‘weight loss’ resolutions. Mitch Batkin, Sport&Health Clubs, Senior Vice President of Fitness, offers the following points that can make sticking to resolutions a breeze:
· Start today. With the right tools and a little discipline, it is possible to enjoy holiday foods and stay fit.
· Find support from a trainer or join a group exercise class. Your success rate increases dramatically with support from others instead of trying to do it alone.
· Enjoy a healthy snack before a big meal. A cup full of carrot sticks, an apple or a handful of pretzels can be just what you need to curb the appetite, leaving less room for high-fat foods.
· Eat freely in moderation. Sample the tempting foods on the table, but in small portions. Load up the rest of your plate with vegetables and fruits.
· Stay active. The Surgeon General’s advice: perform at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. Most fitness experts agree that accumulating about 3 hours of exercise each week, half of cardiovascular conditioning and half of resistance type exercise is best to make significant improvements in your health..
· Beware of liquid calories. With roughly half the calories of traditional eggnog, apple cider may be a healthier choice. Steer clear of large amounts of alcohol or soda, which will provide little more than empty calories.
· Drink lots of water. Not only is it important for helping you stay hydrated, it also helps you feel full. How much water should you drink? Many experts agree the right amount to consume is calculated by taking half your body weight in pounds and drinking that many ounces. So if you weigh 150 pounds, drink about 75 ounces or about 9 cups of water a day.
· Eat only when hungry. Many people eat just because food is in front of them. Pause for a moment before that second or third helping and consider whether you truly feel full.”

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