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Original poster

Is a new years resolution of weight loss doomed?!

31 replies

ThinkingBlue · 31/12/2015 12:59

Exactly that really - I vowed to lose weight last year and am sitting here 1 stone heavier than last year!! I feel absolutely determined to conquer this, this year but wonder how many others are like me? Does having it a new years resolution almost give permission to not do i as resolutions quite often are a bit of standing joke or not taken seriously?
And if you were successful in losing weight in 2015, how or what was the difference?
Is a new years resolution of weight loss bound to fail?! Dos it need to be more than that?

OP posts:
MuttonCadet · 31/12/2015 13:02

I've ended the year 2 stones lighter, the key for me was joining weightwatchers, turning up every week no matter what, exercising, and sticking to the plan.

It doesn't suit everyone, but I got to goal in May and have maintained my weight ever since.

Good luck!

treacledan71 · 31/12/2015 13:03

I feel the same. I am going to really try this year. Found a good app and try and not tell too many people on a diet as always on one lol. I feel like cheryl from the royals family ie how she diets lol. Good luck. X

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 31/12/2015 13:06

Maybe the resolution needs to be a series of practical steps you will take to actually lose the weight rather than a vague "I will lose weight in 2016"

e.g.
In Jan I will buy a pedometer and build up to 10K steps a day or I will go to the gym 3x per week etc.

I will log everything I eat on MFP

I will ensure that at least 1/3 of my plate is non starchy veg.

Dry January might help too Wink

Good luck.

ExplodingCarrots · 31/12/2015 13:10

Every year for 6 years my NY resolution was to lose weight and I always failed. Last year however I signed up for a half marathon and just vowed to do that as my resolution. I completed it in the summer and I'm 2 stone lighter now.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself . You set yourself up to fail I believe.

Oldisthenewblack · 31/12/2015 15:43

Perhaps make it a bit easier on yourself and have a resolution to at least not be any heavier next year?? To at least halt the weight gain. Don't laugh - it's what I did Grin

I joined a gym on 5th January and went regularly. Plus cutting back a bit on what I ate (not massively though, as I love to eat). I'm one and a half stone lighter and hope to lose more this year.

It DOES require some degree of commitment, whatever your plan is, but if you really don't want to keep gaining weight, a small commitment will be worth your while. I second the idea of getting a pedometer - it's easy and as you see the steps stacking up, it encourages you to beat your target the next day.

Good luck!

Sirzy · 31/12/2015 15:46

As others have said the key - at any point not just New Years - is to know how you are planning to do it and to be in the right mindset to do it.

I spent years saying I would lose weight and never did as it was always half hearted. Then something clicked and I am now 7 stone lighter

southwest1 · 31/12/2015 15:50

I did it last year but only because I was being sponsored to do it, that gave me the push I needed, and made me really stick to it too. I've tried to keep it up, and have at least ended the year a stone and a half lighter than I started it, and plan to get back on the slimming world plan in January.

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 31/12/2015 15:57

My best mate did it last year, but she did a lot of planning to build up to it. NYD she cut everything bad out, started Couch to 5k, and lost 4 stone by July and ran a half-marathon in September. Hope to follow her example this year!!

Fatherwishmas · 31/12/2015 15:59

24 pounds off since March, a very steady loss. Joined Slimming world and weighed myself regularly.

I am a couple of pounds off target and feel loads better than I did 12 months ago.

MuttonDressedAsMutton · 31/12/2015 16:01

It's not doomed to failure but you really must change your mindset from FAIL to SUCCEED! Step stages is the way to go - slowly build up exercise, start with ditching sugar and lowering your carb intake (or some other combination - lower fat/increased veg) and build on that success. Sometimes it seems just too too much - like you're faced with an insurmountable task. You're not but don't overtask yourself - one small victory at a time was what helped me. Good luck to you Flowers

MrsMook · 31/12/2015 16:32

A couple of years ago when losing some weight, I resolved to do at least 100 cardio workouts. It was a measurable target, and I logged my progress on a spreadsheet. It was realistic as a workout every 3 days fitted around life, and I'd met my target by June. I also recorded it in the front of my diary.

LidikaLikes · 31/12/2015 16:44

On Boxing Day 2014 I suddenly had a lightbulb moment and saw myself stuffing my face constantly. Decided there and then that I needed to change.

I end 2015 2 stone lighter than I started - gone down from a size 14 to a size 10 and feel great!

I ate mostly the same stuff, but smaller portions and ate less meat.

I do a fitness DVD twice per week at home once the kids go to bed.

My Fitness Pal is a great website and app for advice on food and calories.

Also, I came off the pill as I suspected it was increasing my appetite and that really really helped the weight to fall off. In fact, I think I lost about half of the weight once I came off the pill.

Good luck, OP, you can make a change in 2016!

Runner05 · 31/12/2015 16:55

I did that a few years ago. Lost about 3st just because it put me in the right frame of mind... I would do it this year again as I've put some of it back on but as I'm 6 weeks pregnant it might be a bit more difficult! Hmm

Good luck! Just set yourself achievable goals and make sure you do healthy eating (weight watchers or slimming world are a good start) and both cardio and strength training. Cardio will burn calories while strength training will build body tone which will use more calories even when you're sat on on your bum in front of the TV Grin

TheWoodenSpoonOfMischief · 31/12/2015 17:09

Maybe focus on achieving something rather than losing weight?
My tactic this year is to nourish my body with healthy food by aiming to eat 2 portions of fruit and 3-4 portions of veg a day.
Drink lots of water
Take vits.
Exercise 3 times a week and just be more active with the kids.
Go to bed earlier and read.
I just want to generally take better care of myself and losing weight will hopefully come about because of that.

Original poster
ThinkingBlue · 31/12/2015 17:17

I think in 2015 it was a little unrealistic. Whilst parenting two young children (1 & 3, now 2 & 4) my husband and I started a charity, I've pretty much written up my PhD, we've redone our house, started a business (mainly Dh but I do all the admin) and moving and I started a fabulous new dream job in academia. With all these things in place and stable now I feel I should be able to focus on me a bit in 2016. Once I'm committed to something I'm really quite determined so this is a key focus for me this year.
I used love running so a half marathon will be a good aim for me.
You're all right, it is about mindset!!

OP posts:
DinosaursRoar · 31/12/2015 17:19

January is a crap time to start self denial - there's still lots of lovely treats in the house, the weather is usually hideous so getting out and about isn't fun, there's no money, no one is doing anything interesting to distract from non-eating....

I always think March resolutions would be better, or rather, I'm always much more ready to start a 'change' for lent, then it's usually easier to carry it on for the summer after Easter.

Ta1kinPeese · 31/12/2015 17:19

What is your actual resolution?

it has to be
Realisable
Understandable
Measurable

So for example a resolution of
I will give up snacking for 2016 with the aim of losing 1 stone by 31st March

will give you a clear goal
that if you do not succeed you can reset to June and then September and then December
but you will be on a good path all the way

PrincessHairyMclary · 31/12/2015 17:20

I think most people fail as they start it in January because they're feeling all bloated and have stopped by Feb opposed to seeing it as a year long goal.

I try and set my resolutions up as SMART targets with a main one I want to achieve and then smaller targets that will help me achieve this.

This year it's to lose 3 stone and learn to drive.

BerylStreep · 31/12/2015 17:21

I've lost 2 1/2 stone in the last 3 months, by listening to Easyloss Virtual Gastric Band and following The Whole 30. Not only have I lost weight, I feel so much healthier.

JemimaMuddledUp · 31/12/2015 17:26

Agree with other posters that it needs to be proper goals rather than a vague "I will lose weight" resolution. Think like you would in the workplace - make the targets SMART.

I lost 6 stone a couple of years ago thinking this way (although I started in September and not January). I made several resolutions last January with this mindset and have stuck with them all.

As some of the weight I lost has crept back on again I will be resolving to lose weight again in 2016, and it will be with SMART targets. For example I will used My Fitness Pal to count calories and lose 1 stone by the my birthday in March.

JemimaMuddledUp · 31/12/2015 17:28

Also don't concentrate on too many things at once. The more resolutions you make the more likely you are to just give up. Keep things small and go one step at a time.

sylviassecrets · 31/12/2015 17:28

I made losing weight my new years resolution last year as i had already lost some but had a lot more to lose. I lost 12kg and have kept it off, currently 59kg which was my original goal and am hoping to lose another 6kg this year. I did it by eating a high protein low fat diet and weight training several times per week. I still follow the same diet and exercise plan now.

CookieDoughKid · 31/12/2015 17:28

You need to make this more of a lifestyle change rather than a new years resolution. You need to make permanent changes to your diet. Small but effective changes. No need to cut all treats but moderation is key. I went to x3 exercise classes during week of Christmas (/xmas day& boxing day week). If you really want it, you can make it happen. Upping my exercise meant I could eat treats but not put any weight on. Fill up on lots of veg and protein. Eat a small pudding every now and then but don't make it a large portion. Exercise three times a week and the weight will melt off.

No snacking on crap in between but if you want to, eat some nuts/ a bit of cheese/ celary and humous.

Always make your meals from scratch.

Really you can do it. It's not dieting, it's about making sensible changes!!

PacificDogwod · 31/12/2015 17:29

No, I don't think your efforts are doomed just because you happen to set New Year as your starting point.
But - IMO and IME you need to have a longterm goal of changing your eating/activity habits. IMO and IME any 'diet' is doomed Grin, whereas recognising where you've been going wrong and make subtle, sustainable changes that you can stick with quite happily will get you results.

Fwiw (I appreciate that different approaches will suit different people) I have lost 2 dress sized in the last 6 months. I have reduced my carbohydrate intake while eating everything else to appetite. The main, and some might say radical, change I made is that I am not having breakfast which used to be just cereal anyway. I find that if I don't have breakfast (which I only had out of habit and because everybody was having breakfast) I don't seem to 'wake up' my appetite.
Apparently, it's the '16:8' diets - there's a thread I started on the dieting boards on here if you are bothered Grin

I also found the web site 'DietDoctor.com' v interesting wrt to carbohydrates/insulin/appetite regulation/fats and cholesterol. I think that dietary advice will change radically in the next decade or so to try and come to grips with the obesity and diabetes crises the western world is merrily munching its way towards btw.

Dogsmom · 31/12/2015 17:35

I don't think the time of year is relevant to failure it's whether you're really ready and in the right frame of mind to do it.

I joined slimming world last April knowing my heart wasn't in it, attended every week and was only a stone lighter by Christmas, I've now restarted Cambridge as it worked very well for me before having my 2 dd's and feel so different, I know I'm going to do it and there isn't a single thought of failure.

I also think there's a right diet for everyone and their lifestyle, sw and ww work wonders for some, others can do it alone by simply cutting out the junk and others like me need the strict boundaries and speed of a meal replacement diet.