Is your New Year's Resolution to lose weight? Is this the same resolution you have set before and failed at? If so, with a few realistic tips, 2009 can be the year you succeed!

In order to succeed, you need to set attainable goals. If you want to lose weight, you need to decrease the amount calories you consume and increase your daily activity. With a combination of both, you will lose weight. However, you must do both! Not one or the other, both.

The easiest way to count calories is to keep a log of the daily foods you eat. Get a small notebook and keep it in your purse or pocket at all times. When you eat or drink anything you need to write it in your book. Don't forget, liquids contain calories! Soda, fruit juice and coffee drinks are very high in calories and are often diet destroyers. By keeping a written count, you are able to see where you need to cut back.

Set a goal for increasing exercise. If you are not going to go to the gym 3 times a week, don't say that you will! If you set an unrealistic goal, you are setting yourself up for failure. However, can you commit to walking around your neighborhood for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. If it is too cold in your area, could you walk to local mall or shopping center with a friend? Would you commit to a yoga or pilates class? Do you have extra time on your lunch break to exercise at work, perhaps walking the steps in your office building? Maybe an exercise video or DVD is what will work for you? Point being, pick what you will seriously commit to. So many people say, I am going to go to the gym everyday and they never make it. Set an attainable goal.

Now that you are cutting your calories and increasing your exercise you need to realize that the weight is not going to come off immediately. You should lose in the range of a pound or two a week. However, over the next few months you should see a huge difference, not only in your appearance, but also in how you feel!

Remember, losing weight not only makes you look better, it makes you much healthier!