A guest post from our friends at Sport&Health Club

Many individuals resort to the same New Year’s Resolution year after year, to lose weight.

This year, 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 all 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. 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. 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.
• 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.

For more information, visit www.sportandhealth.com.