It’s a story we’re all familiar with. You decide it’s time to shed those extra pounds, you start off strong, but somewhere down the line, your motivation starts to wane. The gym sessions become less frequent, the healthy eating habits start slipping, and before you know it, you’re back to square one. It can be a frustrating cycle, but the good news is it’s not an insurmountable challenge. With years of experience in holistic weight loss, I’ve seen firsthand how small changes can lead to big results. Here are five strategies to get back your motivation to lose weight.
Identify Your Why
The first step in getting motivated is to take a step back and ask yourself why you want to lose weight in the first place. What are your goals? It could be anything from improving your overall health, fitting into those jeans that have been tucked away, or setting a good example for your children. Try to find the positive in why you want this, rather than to not get diabetes or heart disease. How will you be the woman you want to be and what does weight loss have to do with it? Put these reasons in writing and keep them as a reminder of why you started. Self-reflection is one of the most powerful tools in motivating yourself to reach your goals. In the beginning, you may feel a roller coaster of emotions but don’t lose sight of why you’re doing this. By keeping your why in focus, you can stay on track.
Set Realistic Goals
With your reasons in mind, set realistic weight loss goals that are achievable and specific. Maybe you want to lose 10 pounds by the end of the summer or run a 5K race in six months. A realistic weight loss goal is ½ pound to 2 pound per week, so losing over 50 pounds in a year would be doable if you had a perfect diet, consistent behaviors, no vacations, and no changes in hormones or stress. So what is realistic for you, really? Whatever you think it is, make sure to track your progress so you can celebrate even the small successes, which will help keep you motivated. You may try to maintain a food journal or keep a running list of your daily activity, so you can see your progress and keep a positive outlook.
Eliminate Excuses
We all make excuses for why we can’t pursue our goals, but it’s important to recognize them and eliminate them from your life. Don’t let yourself get dragged down by perfectionism or fear of failure. These are just two examples of common roadblocks that can discourage you from reaching your weight loss goals. Remember the saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Don’t try to do everything at once. At the same time, remember consistency is key, so get into a consistent workout routine and stick to it to get yourself that much closer to achieving your goal. No one that make it to the end game did not have failures on the way through. And no one likes perfect people anyways. So maybe it’s more about the journey than the destination?
Find an Accountability Partner
Having someone to hold you accountable is a great way to stay motivated. It can be a friend, family member, or even an online group of people who have similar goals as yourself. Knowing that somebody else is counting on you can help keep your motivation levels up and push you toward success. We even provide remote monitoring for those who just need someone to be your built-in cheerleader. So, find a buddy and start working together to reach your goals.
Find an Exercise You Enjoy
Exercise is an essential part of any weight loss plan, but it can also be a source of dread for many. However, if you find activities that you actually enjoy doing, then exercise won’t seem like such a chore, and it’ll become something to look forward to. Try different classes or exercises until you find something that works for you. I like class pass as an option to try a variety of gyms and studios in your area. It may be something as simple as taking a walk or dancing to your favorite tunes that really gets you going. Find something that you actually enjoy and make it a regular part of your routine.
To Wrap Up
It’s not easy to stay motivated when it comes to losing weight, and we all have our own challenges. But with a little self-reflection and discipline, girl, you can reach your goals and create a healthier version of yourself. You can also reach out to me if you need assistance or support with your weight loss journey. With my specialized weight loss plans in Spokane, I can help you create a lifestyle that will get you to where you want to be. So don’t sweat the small stuff, and book a FREE consultation with me to start your journey!
