As New Year's resolutions go, losing weight usually tops the list for many people. Makes sense especially after the holidays. Clothes seem to fit tighter after all those parties and sharing of sweets.

Motivation is key to getting started dropping weight. But is it enough?

If it's not there, the effort is short-lived. The key to success is commitment to changing your eating and exercise habits and that takes time to achieve. You're not going to lose 10 or 20 pounds overnight, or even in a week. But be happy if you lose two pounds in your first week of trying.

Remember it's a life-changing process that yes, can begin with a simple New Year's resolution to eat less and exercise more. The trick is not just to lose it but to keep it off. How often do we see people lose weight only to gain it back ala Oprah?

"Determination has a lot to do with it," said Patty Paredes, a Weight Watchers' leader who meets with groups in Lemon Grove and Chula Vista. "Once you determine, 'This is it! I want to be healthy. I don't like the way I feel physically and mentally.' That's when everything starts clicking and your habits start changing."

Paredes, 52, speaks from experience. She joined Weight Watchers four years ago and lost 25 pounds in six months. Her sister-in-law invited her to a Weight Watchers meeting and she decided to do it for health reasons. Being Latina, she's aware of the prevalence of diabetes in the community and the importance of weight management to prevent or control the condition. She weighs 140 pounds, her ideal weight she says.

There are all kinds of diet programs with all kinds of prices. Some prohibit certain foods. Paredes said Weight Watchers, which has been around for nearly 50 years, worked for her because it makes no such restrictions. Instead, the program teaches moderation and assigns a point value to different foods.

Weight Watchers is a paid service that emphasizes diet, physical activity, behavior change and group support. But it doesn't have to be costly, Paredes said.

Physical activity is stressed but you don't have to join a fancy gym. You can get a workout doing something you enjoy, such as gardening, walking or even house cleaning, she said.

Stay true to your goal by charting your progress in a journal and weighing yourself at least once a week.

Weight Watchers is big on group meetings where participants share their stories and receive relevant material and advice to help them meet their goals but it also offers an online support program.

But before you look for support or start counting your calorie intake for the day, find the motivation to get started. Making a New Year's resolution to get down a size or two in your clothes so that you don't have to keep blaming the dryer for shrinking them is a good start. Just remember you can make a proclamation like this any time of the year and simply call it a new day.

Leonel.sanchez@sandiegored.com