How to keep your weight-loss resolutions real

With the start of a new year, many of us make resolutions to lose weight and exercise more often. But why don't our New Year's resolutions have staying power? "The first reason is a lot of these resolutions tend to be unrealistic," says Arya Sharma , a professor with the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and chair of obesity research and management at the University of Alberta. "A lot of resolutions tend to add things onto our already busy schedules, which rarely make any resolutions sustainable. One of the secrets about weight management is trying to live healthier by making lifestyle changes that are sustainable. "Think about people wanting to get up an hour earlier to go exercise: they can do it for a few days, but unless they're going to go to bed an hour earlier so they don't end up losing sleep, this is not something that's going to last." What are reasonable goals, then? It depends on how much people are willing to change, says Sharma. People can do little things like step away from their computer once an hour to take a brief walk or stretch. Other potential goals could include taking more time to prepare meals at home and eating less fast food.