Follow These 5 Tips, and "Losing Weight" Will Never Be Your New Year's Resolution Again

Whether you want to lose five pounds, 25, 50, or more Ilana recommends "you focus on losing just two at a time. Believe me, it adds up." Ilana used this tip and was able to lose 100 pounds.

It's OK to have a big goal in mind, but a monumental goal can feel too overwhelming, and you're more likely to lose motivation and give up. "When you lose five pounds, you want to feel like you accomplished something, not like you haven't made a dent," she said. Celebrating the small, attainable steps along the way makes it easier to accomplish your goals and keeps you positive.

"Set short- and long-term goals that keep you looking forward," Ilana said. Take a look at your 2019 calendar or planner and mark down any upcoming events and special occasions like vacations, family get-togethers, and birthdays. "Sure, it would great to be ten pounds lighter by Valentine's Day, but what about for Easter, Fourth of July, and even Thanksgiving? The goal is to lose the weight and never have it find you again," Ilana said. Making small goals throughout the year — and writing them down! — can help you reach your big year-end goals and help you maintain them.

Goals don't have to be pounds-related! You should also create non-scale goals that make you stronger, less stressed, and happier. For example, a short-term goal could be "I want to strength train my arms three times a week," to reach your long-term goal of "I want to be able to do five pull-ups."

"Positive people equals positive weight loss," Ilana said. When you're making healthier changes, you want people to say, "good for you, that's great!" When you feel supported, it makes it easier to stay positive and consistent with reaching your goals.

On the other hand, unsupportive comments can really affect your ability to stay on track. When you grab a piece of fruit for dessert and someone says,"oh come on, why don't you eat ice cream instead," it can make us feel negatively about our positive choices. It's critical to ensure that the important people around you are aware of your goals and encourage what you're doing. On the flip-side, they'll find inspiration to be healthier when they see you keeping up with your health-minded goals, so you can all help to keep each other accountable.

Find a simple, sensible, and sustainable plan. If your life is busy, you will need a plan that involves occasionally going out to eat and eating frozen or convenience options. "If the plan has you cutting out food groups, then that's not a sensible and realistic way to eat," Ilana said. The plan also has to be something you can keep up with for the long-term." So definitely drop the fad diets and the quick-fix mentality. Focus on eating whole foods with tons of veggies, drink lots of water, limit the processed junk, eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full, and make room for the foods you love.