Getting Fit for the New Year: Special K Meal Plans

Although there has been study after study done on the percentage of Americans that are considered overweight or obese, what it all comes down to is you and how you feel about yourself.

Are you happy with the number on the scale? Your level of energy? How healthy you are?

Considering that the majority of us aren't, it isn't all that surprising that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. I've done it before and, unfortunately, I'm sure that I'll do it again. Having actually lost a decent amount of weight in 2011, I would have hoped to not be in this situation as the year comes to a close, but here I am.

Having been so close to my goal and then seeing it slip away, I know that I need to be reasonable and stay focused if I'm going to find success in shedding my extra pounds and starting off 2012 on the right track. Another important factor? I'm someone who needs a little extra help and I'm not ashamed to admit that without a concrete weight loss program, my likelihood of success drops considerably.

Fortunately, this year I'm starting off on the right foot with one of the top names that knows all about eating well and losing weight: Special K.

With four different plans to help you lose weight or maintain where you currently are, it only takes a few minutes to select, personalize, and get started on your way to reaching your goal with Special K. Each one is customizable, whether your lifestyle is on-the-go and busy or you are more of an adventurous foodie.

Determined to shed the pounds that I've put back on in the last few months (particularly those from our recent vacation), getting my plan underway with Special K took only a few minutes.

Step 1: Choose one of the four meal plans, depending on which one works best for you, your lifestyle, and your weight loss goal.

After looking over the four choices (The Special K Challenge - lose up to 6 pounds in 2 weeks, Get Ready for a Special Event, Achieve a Goal Weight, and Maintain My Weight), I wavered for a little while in making my decision.

Although my first instinct was for Achieve a Goal Weight, I decided that I had to give the Special K Challenge a try. After all, I've seen the commercials enough times that I've wondered how easy it is to lose up to six pounds in two weeks... so now I'm going to find out for myself!

Step 2: After having made that decision, I loved what Special K had to ask next: What will you gain when you lose?

Of course we all want to slim down, but I liked being able to stop and think about the abstract benefits as well as those for health. Things like confidence, pride, feelings of accomplishment... there are so many great "gains" that can come along with loss!

Step 3: After choosing when I wanted to start my Special K Challenge (today!), I appreciated all of the options I was then given. I could see my meal plans directly, or sign up for an account so that I could log in any time to view them and journal and track my progress, download the My Special K mobile app, create a shopping list, invite friends to join me, and more!

Before I knew it, here I am on Day 1. I've got my meal plan in place for the day...

...and I've got my cupboard stocked with all of the many delicious ways that Special K makes it possible to eat tasty foods while losing weight.

I'm eating my first bowl of Special K cereal right now and I can't wait to dig into those yummy-looking bars, cracker chips and more.

Although I'm trying to not be apprehensive about what the next two weeks might bring, there's no time like the present and the present is now. I know that I've fallen off track with how well I was doing with weight loss, so I'm feeling motivated and ready for what Special K can do to help me take control once again.

Interested in joining me? Check out the Special K meal plans and see what a difference two weeks can make in your life as well.

Is weight loss one of your resolutions this year? I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions and personal experiences with maintaining or losing weight and what has worked (or hasn't). You can also chime in with Special K on Facebook and Twitter, where they will share content and spread positive words of encouragement to impact the conversation around weight loss.

Disclosure: I participated in this program through a partnership with TheMotherhood on behalf of Special K. I received product and supplies to complete the plan. All opinions and statements are based on my own opinion and experience. Consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program. Average weight loss when replacing meals with two cereal meals is 4.8 pounds. Weight loss may vary. Average waist circumference reduction when replacing meals with two cereal meals is 1.3 inches. Weight loss may vary.