Pub. 1 2016 Issue 6

11 ISSUE 6 2016 3. Decide that water is going to be your beverage of choice from now on, and commit to drinking it with every meal and between meals, as well. Many people do better with a support system to keep them on track. Create accountability and a support system: • Ma k e a c a l end a r t o ma r k t he accomplishment of important milestones. Post it where you can look at it every day and then track your progress every day. • Set goals with a friend, significant other, or spouse. • Hire a coach. • Think about a reward for accomplishing your goal. For example, a new exercise outfit that encourages you to continue working out would be a good reward for losing weight. In addition to your overall goals, you can also do a lot to make each day go more smoothly: • Don’t use the snooze button. When the alarm goes off it will interrupt your sleep cycle and you won’t get the same quality of sleep after that anyway. • Take time to stretch and stand up straight throughout the day. • Don’t put things down. Put them away. • Make sure you do the chores that will seriously inconvenience you if they aren’t done. Don’t let laundry pile up too long, and fold it as soon as it’s dry (or as soon as you can manage). Do the dishes after dinner and start the dishwasher before bed. Keep the recycle bin close when you are sorting mail, and recycle as much as you can right away. • Set small daily goals that won’t overwhelm you. Straighten the bed in the morning; run the vacuum cleaner in the evening. • Pick something to read that will stretch your mind and then spend a few minutes every day reading it. Set small daily goals that won’t overwhelm you. Straighten the bed in the morning; run the vacuum cleaner in the evening.