Live It, Don't Diet

Storyboarding...writting down is the key

Your first step is to determine what goal you'd like to achieve over the next seven weeks or couple of days. For example, say you want to continue losing 1 to 2 pounds a week. It might sound tough with all your social commitments. But with a concrete plan, you can be celebrating weight-loss success at the New Year!

So now that you have a goal, start Storyboarding your plan. Be realistic, think about the challenges you'll face during the holidays, and come up with solutions that worked for you in the past. Here's a sample of what your Storyboard might look like:

Step 1: Keep up your fitness routine by blocking out time each week for the gym, a walk or an exercise class. Try to go at least as often as you did before the holidays.

Step 2: Prepare extra stews, soups and casseroles to freeze and re-heat when a busy night has left you without time to prepare a healthy dinner.

Step 3: Keep a close eye on your weekly POINTS® Allowance. If you know you'll be indulging at a party, be sure to plan accordingly earlier in the week.

Step 4: Prepare some kind ways to say "no" to friends and relatives who try to get you to eat more holiday goodies than your plan allows for.

Step 5: Highlight your usual weekly meeting on the calendar and be sure to attend. If you must miss, have a back-up meeting at the ready.

Step 6: Revisit these steps each week and make revisions as needed to accommodate for specific weekly challenges.

Storyboarding a schedule of to-dos is a great way to keep your weight-loss plan in high gear. You might also want to draw these steps out on a poster board and place it somewhere it can serve as a gentle reminder that you need to take time for yourself. And don't be afraid to mark up your daily planner with daily goals (like drinking six 8-ounce glasses of water) and motivating words.

posted by Snowman @ 6:45 PM