As weird as it may sound, 2016 is about to come to an end, it is that time to start another new year, and those darn resolutions once again. It always seems like the number one resolution for everybody out there is, "I'm going to lose weight this year.

Now, this is a great, healthy and responsible resolution to make. However, how are you going to go about accomplishing your dream? How much weight do you want to lose? What foods do you want to start eating more? Is your deadline reasonable? The questions are aplenty.

From what I've seen, all too often, people tend to set themselves up for failure with unrealistic expectations. After 30 days or so goes by and they haven't lost 20 to 40 pounds (which is most often an unreachable goal), they tend to get frustrated and give up until the following year. This unhealthy pattern just keeps repeating itself year after year after year.

Although everybody's body, metabolism, mindset, access to healthy foods, availability of time to workout, commitment and moral support from family and friends is all different, a healthier lifestyle and desirable weight are achievable goals. Of course, you have to be willing to work hard, think smart ahead of time and during your journey, and be patient waiting for results.

Let me tell you a little bit about my personal testimony. While I have never had a weight loss resolution for the new year, I did struggle with being clinically obese until the age of ten. At that point of my life going into a new school, I did not want to be the fat kid anymore, and I was tired of the bullying. That is when I developed ways to motivate myself to put the work in to change my life.

Some of the things I did may not work for everyone, but they did for me, and they might for some of you. Either way, the following suggestions, if put into place by anyone, will certainly lead to a healthier style. It certainly cannot hurt you to try.

First off, I knew I had to change my eating habits, so I gave up all soda and fast food, which I still avoid to this day. Next, I spent my allowance money to buy an exercise bike in which I would ride ten minutes a day all summer.

Additionally, I had my mom watch me do 180 sit-ups every night because I was so desperate to gain a six pack. Within six months, I had lost nearly 60 pounds and more importantly...I've kept it off. It's weird, but the clothes that barely fit for me when I was ten still fit me at the age of 22. Some clothes are even a bit loose, to be honest.

Results may vary from person to person, but I'm telling you, if you give up soda and fast food, you will see a difference very quickly.

Later in life, being a wrestler, weight loss was a constant. There are right ways to do it, and wrong ways to do it. This is where I encourage all of you to do some research, even if that means to consult a dietitian or nutritionist, to make sure you are doing what is right for you and your body. I had already given up all red meat a year and a half prior, but as a junior in college, I decided to give up all meat including cured meat and become a vegetarian. Yes, I gave up these things, but knew that I had to find options to replace these things. To supplement those nutrients, I ate plenty of egg whites, tofu, nuts, and legumes to still feel energized.

Totally depriving yourself of things that you enjoy will totally create such cravings that you will cave into your desire and blow all of your hard work. If you happen to be a person with a sweet tooth, give up milk chocolate and enjoy a much healthier square of dark chocolate. If it's cake you like, try angel food with strawberries. For you salt lovers, all that salt retains a lot of water weight. Look for some Mrs. Dash at your grocery store for a robust and heart-healthy option. Just look around because there are many options to replace the fatty, sugary, and salty crap our grandmas and grandpas ate.

I just know if you follow these simple steps starting off with cutting out soda and fast food, you'll never have to make that New Year's weight loss resolution again. You can start making fun resolutions about what hot, tropical beach you want to hit up year next year.