After all the food and festivities of the holidays, some people will resolve to shed pounds in 2015.
Nutrition experts say focusing on health instead of a number on the scale can make a New Year's resolution to lose weight a maintainable goal.
Amy Jamieson-Petonic, registered dietitian and director of wellness coaching at the Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute, encourages families to work together to improve their health.
"Try making one new meal a week as a family," says Jamieson-Petonic. "There is a need to do this as a family and for everybody to be involved because when you have that involvement there's definitely a better chance of being successful."
To achieve realistic results, Jamieson-Petonic recommends setting a long-term goal and breaking it down into smaller, measurable steps. She says changes in your daily routine such as drinking more water, packing a lunch instead of dining out, or taking a family walk after dinner can become life-long habits that improve health and help to shed pounds.
Jamieson-Petonic says restrictive diet plans that promise dramatic, immediate weight loss are generally not sustainable over time.
"Fad diets just don't work," she says. "A better way is to set short goals you know you can achieve focusing on your health, not so much weight because if you are developing healthier habits you are going to lose weight if that's actually one of your goals."
Jamieson-Petonic says before starting any diet plan, it's important to discuss options with your doctor and determine the ideal weight range for your body frame and height.
"When they go to the doctor they can get a general idea through the Body Mass Index, which is a very general screening tool to let us know where you're at," she says. "It really gives your weight-to-height ratio. It's not the end all and be all but it is a good tool to get you started."
She adds, weight loss of just five to 10 percent can reduce an obese person's risk of developing certain cancers, and some chronic diseases including hypertension and diabetes.
