Contributed by Angela Cleveland

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that your holidays were filled with friends and family, warmth and fun. Have you made your New Year’s Resolution yet? While some people take this exercise seriously, others make ambiguous pledges with no intent on fulfilling them.

One of the top ten News Year’s Resolutions is to lose weight. There are hundreds of diet plans on the market with pros and cons to each. Losing weight can be done safely, but not quickly. For effective weight lose and maintenance, it takes patience, discipline, and a new outlook on diet and exercise.

If weight loss is at the top of your New Year’s Resolution list, here are a few helpful reminders about losing weight and eating healthy:

Not all fats are bad …there are some fats that are essential to healthy cell development and the absorption of such vitamins as A, D, E, and K. “Good” fats come from fish, olive and flax oil, and vegetables such as avocadoes. These fats help in the maintenance of the body, while “bad” fats, such as hydrogenated oils (aka trans fatty acids), are detrimental to our nervous system, blood vessels, and our waistline.

Not all carbohydrates are bad… simple carbohydrates (like those found in candy, cookies, and most others food made with refined sugar) are absorbed too quickly, and can cause a blood sugar rollercoaster ride. Complex carbohydrates (like those found in legumes, grains, and nuts) provide our bodies with a slow and steady supply of energy. But, don’t forget the fiber! Fiber enhances the slow absorption and prevents the surge of sugar into the blood stream.

Exercise is an essential component of a weight loss plan…looking for some fun activities to do in the winter time? How about skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, or skating. Don’t like the wintry outdoors? How about swimming, weightlifting, yoga, basketball, badminton, or indoor soccer. In the Okanagan, the possibilities are endless.

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