Maintaining the motivation to lose weight commonly the most challenging aspect of losing weight. Most people have no problem starting a new diet or exercise program and getting all fired up at the start. It’s actually sticking with long term goals over a period of months and years that trips most people up. If you’re sick of losing and gaining the same weight over and over, it’s time to consider some sure-fire tips for maintaining your motivation to lose weight.
Check Your Numbers
The motivation to lose weight is not just about looking and feeling better. It’s also about knowing you are healthier inside! One way to stay motivated is to visit your doctor and have blood work drawn just before you start your weight loss journey. You can go back at regular intervals to see changes in your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other important numbers.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or another health problem, just going off of your medications and knowing you have eliminated the health risk can be great motivation.
Give Yourself Praise
You can your motivation to lose weight by measuring your compliance with goals on a daily basis. You essentially want to give yourself praise for all of your hard work, whether it be a sticker in a notebook or a checkbook in your day planner. If you are handy on the computer you can even create a chart that you update daily.
Get A Partner
If you can team up with a friend or family member who will hold you accountable, you could both reach your goals much quicker and push through the difficult periods. It’s harder to miss a workout when you know someone is waiting on you at the front doors of the gym.
You may even want to create friendly competition or set a prize that only one of you can win at regular intervals. If you are competitive by inclination this can be a great way to maintain the motivation to lose weight over a longer period of time.
Make a Date
Alternatively, you can maintain your motivation to lose weight by competing against yourself. Sign up for a 5K run (even if you have to walk it) every month or so and challenge yourself to improve your time.
Rewards
Setting rewards to be enjoyed at regular intervals will help you keep your eyes on the prize. One big reward when you hit your goal weight won’t be very effective since it is so far off, but smaller rewards set every 5 or 10 pounds will deliver that motivation to lose weight.
Deeper Reasoning
It’s easy to say you want to shed 50 pounds so you look hot in your bikini, but what are your deeper reasons behind wanting to lose weight? Take some time to write down a comprehensive list that includes all of the reasons why you want to lose weight. Post it in your home or keep it in your purse so you can read through it whenever you’re lacking motivation.
Now, take some time to turn this around on yourself. Make a list of all the things you foresee that could happen in your future if you don’t do what it takes to lose weight. Which list do you want to be living in the next 5 years?
Think of your own personality quirks to come up with more unique ways to establish the motivation to lose weight.
Related posts: