A large percentage of the population in the developed world struggle with weight loss. When planning to lose weight, you can easily find weight loss resources on the internet, gym tailored routines, and fitness programs tailored to fit various lifestyles. However, you may still find yourself feeling demotivated to succeed in your weight loss journey.
The biggest demotivator comes from factors that are seemingly working against you. This includes the presence of triggers in and around your environment that make it difficult for you to do what is necessary to lose weight. These triggers are wide ranging and change from person to person. As a result of these triggers, you will then be required to give more effort to figure out how you can overcome the situation you are in. Compounding all of this, setting unrealistic goals, can further drain your motivation.
Even though starting and sticking to a weight loss program can seem impossible, there are many examples of everyday people, who had the right mindset, and have proven that long-term weight loss is attainable. Here are a few tips on how you can motivate yourself to lose weight:
1. Accept You Are Not Motivated Enough
Most people are in denial. The first step that you can take to be motivated is accepting that you are not genuinely motivated. After coming to terms with this, it will become much easier to take the required steps to move forward. One thing you can do at this stage is find out your why, your reasoning to lose weight in the first place.
2. Hold On To The Reason Why You Want To Lose Weight
It is essential to determine why you want to lose weight. Maybe you want to feel more comfortable in your clothes, reverse a prediabetes diagnosis, or be able to enjoy a higher quality of life. Whatever the goal is, hold on to it. External sources of motivation will come and go. However, when the weight loss goal comes from within, you are more likely to stay committed and, in the end, get positive results.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Weight loss is a marathon, and overnight weight loss programs are generally not recommended. Therefore, you should plan to lose the extra kilos slowly. This method is not only healthier than rapid weight loss procedures, but you are also more likely to maintain your ideal weight rather than quickly putting it back on after a sudden drop.
The goals you initially set may not even weight specific. You may start by committing to exercise 4 days a week, or getting 8 hours of sleep every night or swapping one high calorie meal daily for a lower calorie nutrient dense option. Setting unattainable goals will drain your motivation. On the other hand, realistic and manageable goals will give you a boost that will help you achieve your goals.
4. Keep A Weight Loss Journal
Self-monitoring is essential to weight loss motivation. Researchers have found out that those who track what they eat are more likely to lose weight or maintain their weight loss. You should write down everything, including your snacks, drinks, and all the meals that you consume. You can either use an offline journal such as a diary or for more convenience use online methods such as journaling apps or websites. Both methods are effective in boosting your motivation.
5. Reward Yourself
You should not beat yourself up during this journey. Of course, you will have to be disciplined, but you can reward yourself from time to time. The reward doesn’t need to be in the form of food or drink, but if you have a healthy balance and the self-control it can be. Sometimes the reward can be as simple as actually acknowledging and celebrating how far you’ve come and the goals you’ve been able to tick off to date. By rewarding yourself, you will be interested in the weight loss journey by appreciating that your efforts will be acknowledged and rewarded.
On any journey you undertake, motivation will come and go. Being aware of how to keep yourself positively motivated on a weight-loss journey is a key element to your success. For each of you reading this on your own weight-loss journey, I wish you nothing but the best. If you’d like to reach out and see how I can be of further assistance, do hesitate to get in touch.
DK