January 2010 arrived with all its glitz, glamour, and New Year's resolutions. You made a long list of goals you desire to achieve for this year, one of which is to release X pounds by December 31, 2010, or as most people would say lose X pounds by December 31, 2010 (I would explain why the latter should be replaced by the former later on in this article). For some their weight release train derailed by mid-January, while others trains derailed at the end of the first quarter.

Take these two scenarios for instance:

Ms. Uplifted began a weight release program on January 1, 2010 which would extend until December 31, 2010.  After giving birth to her only child three years ago, she decided it was high time to dispose of the 95 pounds she had gained during and after her pregnancy. The second week into the program Ms. Uplifted went to pick up her son who attended a day care in the Times Square area. While walking along Broadway to go catch the train to go home, Barry spied a McDonald's and pleaded with his mother to purchase a Happy Meal for him. After much resistance, she gave into his request. The cashier took the Happy Meal order. "Would you like anything else Ma'am?" the cashier asked as Ms. Uplifted slowly perused the menu. "Yes, I'll also like to have a number 1," Ms. Uplifted said emphatically. Before the words would you like to super size this order could come out of the cashier's mouth, Ms. Uplifted said "Honey, can you super size this order please." The meals arrived, and Ms. Uplifted decided to stay with Barry, so that they could enjoy their meals before heading home. Her weight release program ended that same day.

Mimia is 20 years young and weighs 300 pounds. Her entire family is obese. For many years she has suffered with low-self esteem due to her obesity. On January 1, 2010 she decided to embark on her weight release journey to get rid of 150 pounds by December 31, 2010. Her journey went well for January, and then she began experiencing issues with her family who thought that she was insane for wanting to release that excessive amount of weight. They began verbally abusing her and making derogatory comments about the gradual changes that were taking place in her body. But despite the negativity, she persevered through February releasing 30 pounds since starting her journey. All this time the negative comments kept increasing, and by April 1, 2010 she had reached her boiling point. While sitting at the dining table for dinner with her parents and 2 younger siblings, which was a rarity for her since she usually ate when her family was not around, they all rose from the table and began circling her and teasing her with foods that were no longer part of her dietary lifestyle. Overwhelmed by their taunts and shouts, she grabbed the tray of fries and fried chicken from her mother and the bottle of soda from her father and raced off to her room, where she sat crying and feasting on a meal which she believed would never enter her mouth after December 31, 2009. This episode brought her weight release journey to an abrupt end.

For those of you who have had similar experiences or had your weight release train derailed for whatever reason it maybe, here are 5 tips to get your weight release train back on track:

1. Change your language-Have you ever said you wanted to lose 50 pounds, and you achieved that goal by the specified time, but months later regained that weight? Did it leave you feeling like "why did I even bother to do so if I was only going to regain the weight anyway?" You see when you lose weight it causes the subconscious mind to search for the "lost" weight because naturally you aren't supposed to lose your belongings. Most people say that they lost weight, and this language sabotages them. Therefore, it is imperative that you say "I am going to release X pounds by X date" if you are now embarking on your weight release journey, or "I released X pounds" if you have already fulfilled your goal.
2. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people-Having a supportive network is the key to keeping you focused and determined toward achieving your weight release goal. Enlist the support of family and friends who will provide you with the foundation, structure and roofing to successfully complete your weight release program. For those of you saying "that's all good but my family and friends are not going to support me" you should find a forum or support group of like-minded people who are facing similar issues, or who have had such experiences in the past. While you are doing so, you should also limit your interaction with your family by speaking less about your daily happenings to them because you do not deserve to receive such negativity on your weight release journey, and you should also have a thorough evaluation of those you are calling your friends and make the decision to sever ties, since they subtract, rather than add value to your life.
   
   
3. Get a weight release accountability partner-For those of you who have supportive family and friends you can select one person from either group. On the other hand, for those without that close-knit family and strong friendships you can choose one person from the forum or support group of which you are a member. This person is going to ensure that you keep on track with your weight release goals and dietary lifestyle. He/She is also someone you can trust, has been through a similar experience, and is readily available by phone or email.
   
   
4. Alter your dietary lifestyle-Consume foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk, milk products, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Check out the United States Department of Agriculture for more info on the recommended daily dietary intake.
   
   
5. Exercise daily-Here are a few types of exercises you can do:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Jogging
• Stretches
• Leg raising
• Running on the spot
• Dancing to music

Start with any one or a combination of the aforementioned exercises by dedicating 10-15 minutes daily. Then gradually increase the amount of time for the exercise(s) you select, remembering that you should not exceed an hour in any given day.

It is never too late to release that unnecessary weight. Stop making excuses and hop aboard the Weight Release Boot Camp train now.