Beat the Battle of the Bulge: Wise Words of Wisdom

Jump Start your New Years Resolution with these simple words of wisdom to get healthy!!

1. Have a STRONG support system. I am blessed with an amazing family, bestfriends, and boyfriend. You are going to need them for encouragement, motivation, suggestions, and reinforcement.

2. Let everyone around you know what's going on. Let them know what you are and aren't eating. This way, they won't offer you pizza or a cupcake.

3. Get a food journal. IF YOU EAT IT-WRITE IT DOWN.

4. Get a scale. I know exactly what I weigh down to the ounce and I will know that for the rest of my life. Once I get in the maintenance phase, if I see my weight go up, I will know I need to add more protein in my diet or do a little extra cardio that day.

5. Cook in bulk. Make a ton of chicken, turkey burgers, hard-boiled eggs etc on Sunday and have them handy throughout the week so when you are scrambling for lunch you can reach for your already made lunch instead of running through the Wendy's drive thru for nuggets (my weakness).

6. BE REALISTIC. There are certain things I will never give up. For instance, Chipotle and Starbucks are non-negotiable. They will always be in my diet. Now, instead of a burrito and Caramel Latte, I get a chicken salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and guacamole (no cheese or sour cream) and a Soy Latte.

7. Have a workout buddy. I am very fortunate to have several gym buddies and it makes a huge difference. It's very hard to get out of my comfy bed at 5:45am but if I know I have to meet my girlfriends at the gym it's more motivation for me.

8. Get a hobby. I have found that the busier I am, the less I snack. I used to eat when I was bored and when I wasn't hungry. Now, I ask myself my Snack Attack questions and usually I'm fine with drinking water and eating some almonds.

9. WATER, WATER, and MORE WATER!!!!

10. Work out in the morning!!! The past couple weeks I have been busier than I have ever been in my entire life! Between grad school, tutoring, and finishing my semester, these quick workouts have been a life saver!