How to Stay Motivated to Lose Weight

Like any new endeavor, your weight loss program usually starts off full throttle, but after a couple of weeks, you seem to loose interests. You don't feel like working out anymore or you had a bad day of eating and you just want to throw in the towel. That's the worst thing you can do. If you get off track, you need to get motivated and get back on your program. It be especially frustrating if you are not seeing results yet. You think what am I doing this for? Here are some motivation techniques to keep you on your way to a healthier you.

Make mini-goals along the way. When you set goals of around 10 pounds, it gives you a lot more motivation than saying I have 70 pounds to loose. The 70 pounds can be so overwhelming that you are more likely to give up. When you set a mini-goal with some kind of reward (massage, new shoes) you can hit those goals faster and stay motivated.

Buy a skinny outfit. Buy an outfit that you love in 1 or 2 sizes smaller than you are right now. Vow that you will not waste your money and you will fit into the outfit. Try on the outfit every couple weeks to see how you are progressing. This also works because sometimes the scale does not budge, but you are loosing inches and it will show in the clothes.

Make a signed commitment to yourself and your family. If you actually have a physical commitment to look at everyday, you will be more likely to uphold your end of the commitment. If you have a commitment to your family, they can help you in the motivation. They can help cheer you on make sure you are keeping your promise to get healthy.

Join a weight loss support group. You can either join a local group or join an online support group. Having someone who is going through the same thing as you can help you through the process. They will understand what you are going through and give you advice along the way.

Put a picture of you at your worst on your refrigerator. If you do this, every time you want something to eat, you will think twice about it. Ask yourself if you are really hungry or just bored. The picture can also remind you of how far you have come and how you never want to go back to it. This may not work for everyone.

Shake up your diet and exercise. Doing the same exercise day after day can get really boring. Try new things. Look into a new exercise that you may have never even thought of before. You may surprise yourself and really enjoy it. Shake up your diet also. You can't go through life eating the same thing all the time. Go to the library and see if you can find healthy recipe books there and try some new things out. You will be less bored and will then result in you not wanting to give up on the weight loss so quickly.


By Tiffany B.