Remember back when the ball was dropping on 2026 and you were determined that this – THIS – was the year that you were going to take control of your health AND your weight?
At the risk of being a Debbie Downer, how’s that self-pledge going? The truth is that very few people keep their pledges to lose weight/get healthy, and it is not a failing to admit that you haven’t succeeded like you’d hoped. In fact, being truthful with yourself can help you to make some very real differences. Because the reality is that it does not require massive changes for many people to see a very real difference in their health.
If you stick to some basic, concrete plans, the likelihood is that you too will see a measurable difference in your health. And the best news is that it’s not too late to make these changes and grab control over your waistline. And because it’s still early enough, 2026 can still be the year that you make good on that New Year’s resolution.
We promise this is not too good to be true. Follow these simple changes as designated by Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management experts – and maintain them – and you will still make a very real difference to your weight and overall health, no matter how things have gone since the start of the New Year.
10 ways to make a real difference to your waistline throughout the rest of 2026:
- Use the buddy system
While it’s great if you can trust on your own willpower, one of the best things you can do to hold yourself accountable is to have someone help you do it. If you and a friend, family member, or co-worker share the same goals, you can pick each other up and support each other to get through any of the frustrations that change can sometimes bring. This begs the question, “what if I don’t have someone willing to help?” Well, if you’re determined to do something about your health, there is a whole team of people right here in north Georgia that is at your service and will help with accountability – and knows all there is to know about weight health. The caring team at Longstreet Clinic’s Center for Weight Management has helped countless north Georgia residents to gain full control over their weight, whether that be losing a few extra pounds or defeating obesity for good. No matter your situation, they are here to be your committed and knowledgeable accountability buddy. And they are only a phone call away.
- Give yourself grace
First off, most people don’t have the kind of life where they can make a big change and stick to it every day without fail. Life gets in the way. There’s work, commutes, meetings, dinner with friends, kids to pick up, etc. Time crunches and stress are everywhere. With that in mind, tell yourself it’s OK not to be a robot. Do the best you can when you can and don’t freak out if you can’t be perfect. Be honest with yourself and keep your goals in mind, but panicking when you can’t be perfect often leads to a sense of failure, an emotion that typically leads to bad outcomes – including giving up. Remember, your resolution is a carrot, not a stick to beat yourself with.
- Think in broader terms – not necessarily numbers
Rather than thinking about your resolution in terms of weight loss, think about it as a new approach to life. For a lot of people, it’s no good saying that you’re going to lose “X” amount of weight. Because if you don’t see immediate progress, it can get overwhelming thinking that you’ll never make it to a specific number. It’s better to think of your resolution as a chance to try a new lifestyle. Think more about living healthy than losing weight, and you’re much more likely to succeed. Because if you do start living healthy, shedding pounds will come as a result. Also, know that weight loss doesn’t happen in a linear fashion. Even if you commit to an ultra-healthy lifestyle, you may still see peaks, valleys, and certainly plateaus in your weight loss. The good news is, if you’re living healthy, you’re going to feel better even when you’re not losing pounds.
- Focus on nutrition
Of course, an exercise routine is a big part of healthy living. But there’s an old saying: You can’t out-work a bad diet. And carving out time to get to the gym or go for a walk can be difficult in the days and weeks after New Years (daylight is at a premium, and the gyms are packed). That’s why it’s a good idea to focus more – especially at first – on your diet. And you don’t have to live on skinless chicken breast, brown rice, and vegetables three times a day. Don’t get us wrong, that would be great if you could but be realistic. Start by cutting out the worst culprits in your diet: sodas, candy, simple carbs (like potato chips). Moderation of alcohol is also key (completely cutting it out would do wonders, but there’s nothing wrong with 1-2 beverages a week). A lot of people will say to try a no- or low-carb diet – or some other type of fad like carnivore. Be careful of these approaches. They are not easy to maintain, and it’s not always healthy for everyone – for instance healthy carbs play a huge role in your digestion. So, instead of trying something hardcore, go for balanced meals that emphasize lean proteins, complex carbs, and vegetables. You can also serve slightly smaller portions. Avoid processed foods and restaurants when at all possible. Sugar and salt can be two of your biggest enemies, and they are in a lot of processed/restaurant foods.
- Plan/cook meals in advance
One of the best things you can do is to start preparing meals and advance. It makes your commitment to healthy eating so much easier when you can come home or go to work and simply re-heat something you made earlier in the week. Not having to think every day about your meals allows you to avoid stress and makes it easier for you to control your portions.
- Be mindful of stress
Stress is everywhere in our lives, and it is a major factor in our health, including our waistline. Stress can make it harder for you think maintain your commitment to healthy living. Chronic stress makes your body produce a hormone called cortisol, which increases the body’s desire for sugary, fatty foods, slows your metabolism, and disrupts your sleep. Cortisol also sends signals to your body that it needs to store fat and therefore, energy is drawn out of soft tissue or muscle and stored as fat. So, if you’re feeling stressed out, address it. There are all kinds of mindfulness apps that can help you gain a few moments relaxation (and even a few minutes can be huge for your mindset). Exercise is also a great way to deal with stress (more on your fitness routine later), as is listening to/playing music, reading for pleasure, or just being with friends. Whatever you do, don’t let stress control you.
- Get a full night’s sleep
Proper, deep sleep is critical to healthy living, as it allows your body to reset and process your day. A lack of sleep, on the other hand, will increase your stress/cortisol levels. It also leads to poor decision making and wreak havoc on other parts of your life. You should aim for seven-and-a-half to nine restful hours of sleep each night.
- Be active
Notice we didn’t say exercise. Certainly, exercise is a part of being active, but you don’t necessarily have to go to the gym or become a marathon runner to realize weight loss and healthier living. It’s simply about increasing your activity. Get out and go for a walk when you can. Take the stairs at work. Park further away at the grocery store. Whatever you do, aim to move more. Even when you’re at work, see if you can trade in your chair for a stability ball or a standup desk. Small changes like these can make a big difference in burning calories. And if you do go to the gym, be mindful of starting slow and making gradual gains. Even if you were once a great athlete, you cannot expect to jump back in and dominate on the bench or treadmill right off the bat. Also, don’t just focus on one routine – whether that be cardio or strength training. Variety is the spice of life and is key to making you fitter, stronger, and happier.
- Make yourself a routine
Things are easier to do when they become part of a routine. So, if you have time, sit down and plan out your afternoon, day, week, or even month. It’ll make it easier to achieve your goals and take the stress off of having to think things through on the fly.
- Treat yourself
Rewarding yourself for making – and sticking to – a healthier lifestyle isn’t just about discipline and focus; it should also be some fun. So, when you get the chance, reward yourself whenever you meet a standard or attain a new goal. That doesn’t mean that you should pig out on ice cream (although it’s OK to every now and then!), but it does mean that you can splurge on some new walking shoes or buy yourself some fun new clothes when the weight starts to melt away.
Please understand that addressing your weight is not a quick-fix solution. There is not a magic trick, and you may even need to attempt some trial and error to see what works best for you. The biggest keys are that you keep trying, stay honest with yourself, and don’t get discouraged.
If you do feel like you’ve tried all these approaches with no success, like you need some extra help, or are facing serious health consequences because of your weight, know that the Center for Weight Management is here for you. Our expert and comprehensive approaches to weight loss can address any need, and we have a track record of success that proves it. So, if you ever need us, please contact us today, and let us help you get control over your health. No matter the time of year, we can help you attain your weight goals.
