Each and everyone of us here knows the benefits of weight loss;- heart health, avoiding type 2 diabetes, increased emotional well-being, fewer illnesses and a longer life expectancy.
The motivation to lose weight varies from person to person, and no two journeys are the same. Losing weight is challenging and takes time. No amount of money or willpower will achieve lasting weight loss. Its motivation that will achieve lasting weight loss, and it requires us all going on a personal journey of discovery to find out how to get motivated to lose weight. Its normal for motivation levels to rise and fall during long term changes, but finding ways to stay motivated throughout your weight loss/maintenance journey, will benefit our goals.
How can we stay motivated.
What is your WHY... Is your WHY still strong enough to motivate you - does your WHY come from within, rather from passing comments.
Is your Goal realistic... remember small goals along the way helps increase confidence. (7lb, 14lb, 21lb, 28lb... dress sizes 18, 16, 14... tying shoes without being out of breath... Walking further....)
Weight loss is not a destination its a life long journey... the healthy habits you create to achieve your weight loss don't stop once there, they continue to maintain your goal. Its remembering weight loss is just a cog in our whole health and well-being.
Goals don't need to be numbers on the scales... they can be dress sizes, health achievements, reduction of medication.
Prepare for hiccups, as the scales don't always go the way we would like. Responding to these hiccups negatively can discourage, and reduce our confidence and even cause us to give up. However having a plan to have a lovely food week on track with meals planned can motivate us, to respond with motivation to achieve.
Keeping a diary/journal is a great way to support out journey, but we must include everything we eat and the emotions we feel to achieve its effectiveness. It can help you identify triggers for overeating and find healthier ways to cope.
Reward and celebrate your successes however small, with non food rewards i.e. Spa Days, Walks with friends, Hot Relaxing Baths, A Good Book.... YOU Time.
Aim for Progress and not Perfection
Weight loss doesn't come from forcing us to do things or go without foods i.e. forcing ourselves to go on the treadmill 30 minutes - 1 hour everyday and not to eat any chocolate. Weight loss starts by questioning our beliefs and identify those that limit us, when focusing on changing our mindset and setting attainable goals.
Learning to love ourselves is very important to our motivation, as positivity in the appreciation of our bodies helps lift our focus to our goals rather than creating negativity. i.e. If you don't like the tops of your arms as you feel they are too big /saggy and you don't love them, remember without your arms you could not hug those you love or have the strength to lift and carry your shopping.
Remember to share your accountability/struggles/achievements when having your one-to-one within the group, as this allows you to attain essential additional support, if required which would be beneficial to your motivation.
Its normal for our journeys motivation levels to rise and fall. However, having strategies to help stay on track will ensure you maintain your motivation striving for persistence over perfection taking as long as is required to achieve your goals.
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