When the New Year comes around, do you find yourself wondering how to stay motivated to lose weight?
Embarking on a weight loss journey requires dedication, determination, and hard work. This is no small feat, which is why having a stock of motivation on hand is so helpful in achieving success.
Thankfully, motivation is not this super rare gift that only comes around occasionally. It is something that you can learn to manifest and tap into when you need it.
Let’s explore various strategies on how to stay motivated to lose weight, ensuring you remain committed to your goals.
How to Stay Motivated to Lose Weight:
No more asking yourself, “How do I stay motivated to lose weight?” Here are some of the best ways to get and stay motivated.
Find Your ‘Why’
We all have something that pushes us to go after a goal, and that something is different for everyone.
Understanding your reasons for wanting to lose weight is essential to staying motivated. A strong ‘why’ serves as the foundation for your commitment and determination.
Identifying your personal ‘why’ will help you stay focused, even during challenging times, and remind you of the long-term benefits you’re working toward on your weight loss journey.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do I want to achieve this goal?
- What is pushing me to do this?
- Who am I doing this for?
- What will it feel like once I accomplish this goal?
Write down your ‘why’ and post it in a place that you’re likely to see it such as your work station, bathroom mirror, etc.
Set Realistic Goals:
Once you know your driving factor, you can start to set goals. Here’s the thing: you need to be realistic with your goals and healthy habits.
Establishing realistic goals is crucial for maintaining motivation throughout your weight loss journey. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and frustration, hindering your progress.
When setting goals, use the SMART criteria. This ensures your objectives are clear, trackable, and attainable. All of your goals should be as follows:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Track Your Progress
Monitoring your progress helps you stay focused, identify patterns, and make necessary adjustments to your weight loss plan. It also allows you to celebrate achievements and maintain motivation.
You can use fitness apps, food journals, and progress photos to track your weight loss journey. Choose the methods that work best for you and make it a consistent part of your routine.
For example, you can weigh yourself daily but calculate the average at the end of the week for the most accurate results. Or you can pre-program meals into a diet tracking app to save yourself time.
Make it Enjoyable:
Just because you have to exercise doesn’t mean you need to spend hours and hours in the crowded weight room.
Choose the exercises and activities that you enjoy to make it easier to stay motivated and committed to your weight loss journey.
Try various workouts, such as yoga, dancing, or cycling, to discover what you enjoy most. Keep your routine fresh by incorporating new activities.
Combine exercise with socializing or hobbies to make it more enjoyable. Join a sports team, attend group classes, or engage in outdoor activities with friends.
The most important thing is that you’re consistent. It’s better to be consistent with a workout that you enjoy than to only show up to do a workout that someone else said was “perfect.”The same goes for nutritional consistency.
Don’t try to follow a diet just because it’s trendy. Follow those healthy habits that work best for you and your schedule.
Reward Yourself:
Don’t just focus on the setbacks. When you achieve a milestone in your weight loss journey, be sure to celebrate that victory!
Rewards can boost your motivation and reinforce your commitment to your goals. Consider non-food-related rewards such as new workout gear, a spa day, or a weekend getaway.
Set milestones for your weight loss journey and plan corresponding rewards to celebrate your achievements.
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