Are you determined to meet your weight loss goals this year? If healthier habits and weight loss are among your new year's resolutions, we can help! Here are a few tips to help you start and keep on track with your weight loss resolution.

• Write your goals down. If you have a clear plan of how you are going to meet your goal, you have a greater chance of succeeding. Keep a food journal or exercise log to keep you on track.
  
  
• Have realistic goals. It is important to remember that it took a long time to gain the extra weight, so you cannot expect it to disappear in a matter of weeks. A realistic and healthy goal would be to lose about 2 pounds a week.
  
  
• Remove temptation. If you plan on having a healthier diet, make sure to purge your kitchen of anything that you do not want to be tempted by. It will be much easier to fight a craving if it means having to go to the store rather than your kitchen cupboard!
  
  
• Plan ahead. If you want to eat balanced meals, make sure that you plan the meals ahead of time so that your kitchen is stocked with everything you need. If you want to go to the gym more often, make sure you have a set scheduled time for it and don't plan anything else during that time slot. Making time for your plan will help you succeed!
  
  
• Gradually add exercise to your day. If you are not used to exercising, don't overdo it when you start your program! Add a new exercise each week; take the stairs instead of the elevator at work, park in the farthest stall from the store, take a walk break at work. All these changes will add up and give your muscles time to adapt to the new stresses on them. If you start slowly, your muscles will be more cooperative.
  
  
• Set some mini-goals. If you plan to make a small change each week, it may be easier than changing all your habits at once when you start working towards your goal. One week you can start drinking more water, another week you can cut out fast foods. Each small change will add up over time and show results.

Determination is half the battle in succeeding in losing weight. The above tips should help you start on your way to your goal. In some cases, over the counter supplements or prescription medications may be what you need to help you on the path to your goal. Consult a doctor before starting any treatment, and remember that CanPharm is here to help you with all your weight-loss medicinal needs.