11 Tips for Keeping that New Year’s Resolution to Lose Weight

Today millions of Americans begin their New Year’s resolutions – control spending, live a better life, lose weight. And by next week, almost everyone will be back to their old ways.

Do you fit the profile to get yourself going on the right path for keeping that resolution to lose weight?

From registered dietitian Tara Gidus, also known as the Diet Diva, here are her four characteristics that you need to have to get started on the right path to losing weight:

• Don’t skip breakfast
• Weigh yourself weekly
• Watch less than 10 hours of television a week
• Exercise 30-60 minutes daily (don’t have to be at the gym – even housework can count)

Here are her 7 tips that help you achieve your goals of weight-loss once you’ve got the first four tips.

• Me Time – stress can make you gain weight so make sure you take time to do things you like such as rest, exercise or even a little bit of shopping
• Mini-Goals – bite-sized goals make achievement more attainable by breaking big goals into smaller, easier goals
• Flavor it up – She recommends making things taste the best you can without adding a lot of calories. Her suggestion includes products from Hidden Valley Ranch such as their dip and seasoning mix to add to dips and sauces for better flavor.
• Food Journal – keeping close track of what you eat can be a very effective tool to weight loss. It forces you to think about what you’ve eaten to be more conscious.
• Go to Bed – sleep keeps hormones that cause hunger to stay in check.
• More Muscle – the more muscle mass you have, the more efficient your body works, even when you are resting.
• Focus when Eating – don’t try to multi-task when you are eating. It distracts you and takes away from helping you feel full and knowing how much you’ve eaten.

Here are three recipes to try that taste great while you try to lose a few pounds:

Baked Chicken Tenders

Ingredients

• 1 packet (1.1 ounces) Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix, divided
• 2 cups non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
• 1 package (20 ounces) fresh 99% fat free chicken tenders
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Olive oil cooking spray

Preparation

1. Combine 1/2 packet Ranch Dressing and Seasoning Mix with yogurt; refrigerate.
2. Combine remaining Ranch Dressing and Seasoning Mix with buttermilk; refrigerate.
3. Rinse chicken and thoroughly pat dry on paper towels.
4. Combine chicken and buttermilk mixture together in a food storage zipper bag.
5. Refrigerate 6 to 24 hours.
6. Heat oven to 425°F.
7. In a food processor, combine breadcrumbs, almonds, garlic powder and pepper.
8. Coat chicken in breadcrumb mixture.
9. Set a wire rack on baking sheet and coat with cooking spray.
10. Lay chicken pieces on wire rack and spray with more cooking spray.
11. Bake 16 to 18 minutes until no longer pink (internal temp at least 170°F).
12. Use yogurt mixture as a dipping sauce.

Serves
Makes 8 (3-ounce) servings

Preparation Time:
20 minutes

Chill Time:
6 to 24 hours

Cook Time:
16 to 18 minutes

Original Ranch Spinach Dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dips Mix (0.5 ounce)
• 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 cup light sour cream
• 1 box (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts*

Preparation

1. Combine Ranch Dips Mix, yogurt, sour cream, spinach, and walnuts.
2. Chill 30 minutes or until just before serving.
3. Serve with whole wheat crackers and raw vegetables.

Serves
Makes 12 (1/4-cup) servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
*Pecans or water chestnuts can be used in place of walnuts.

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes

Chill Time:
At least 30 minutes

Cheesy Ranch Popcorn

Ingredients

• 1 bag (3 ounces) reduced-fat, low sodium butter-flavored microwave popcorn
• 1/4 pack (0.25 ounce) Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix
• 3 sprays from olive oil mister
• 3 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Pop popcorn according to package directions. Immediately open the bag and pour the popcorn into a large serving bowl.
2. Spray the popcorn with three sprays from the olive oil mister, toss with Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix and then toss with the Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Serves
Makes 6 (2-cup) servings

Preparation Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
3 1/2 minutes

Another new product from Hidden Valley Ranch to try is their salad mixes too – To learn more about new Hidden Valley products, visit www.hiddenvalley.com.