Getting and staying motivated is a state of mind, an attitude if you will. Being someone who has lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off for almost 3 years, I know a bit about it. First, I can tell you in the past what did NOT keep me motivated. Trying to be as thin as my friends, wanting to lose weight for my boyfriend, losing weight for an event or to fit into an outfit all seem like good ideas but in reality they are desires not necessarily motivators. Most of my teens and 20's I spent longing to be thinner and this, apparently, did NOT keep me motivated. I yo-yo'ed my way through this time losing and gaining the same 40lbs.
To stay motivated takes work, constant work. And guess what? sometimes you will lose it. Sometimes I lose it. It's inevitable, but dealing with that loss of motivation and following some simple tips can help keep you on your weight loss journey, even when you feel like jumping ship.
1. Own your Accomplishments. I see this all the time. "I only lost 1.2 pounds". WHAT?!? ONLY? Own it. Don't undermine yourself like that. Own every good choice you make. This is a journey and you have to recognize when you are doing well and moving in the right direction.
2. Stop thinking about your ultimate goal. If it does not seem possible you are going to give up. I didn't set out to lose 70lbs. If I tried, I think I would have failed. I took it small goal by small goal at a time. Five pounds this month, no diet soda today, 3 walks a week, these are attainable goals that will build your confidence.
3. Dive in headfirst. I choice Weight Watchers but I'm convinced most reputable diets work IF you follow them. Chose your plan and follow it. Have FAITH in it. If you don't trust your plan you are setting yourself up to fail.
4. Experiment. If you are anything like me, you get bored. Experiment with new food, new workouts. It will keep you interested. No one stays motivated eating and doing the same things day in and day out.
5. Get Active. Not everyone is into working out but you can make an effort to get outside, walk, hike, dance around the house like an idiot, anything to keep moving. Just shut the TV off and MOVE.
6. Take it one choice at a time. I always say one goal, one day, one choice at a time. All of those good choices add up! If you happen to make the wrong decision then admit it and move on. You will learn from that bad choice. As long as you are making more good choices then bad, you are on your way! Every new choice is just that, new, it has nothing to do with what you ate for lunch.
7. Be accountable. Whether it is to you significant other, your leader at Weight Watchers or your online friends, it doesn't matter. Report your weigh-ins, share your experience, admit your mistakes and celebrate you accomplishments. This is why I started my blogs!
There you have it. My take on motivation and how I got it. I need to add that I am, by no means perfect but I keep trucking along. Time keeps moving if you are on plan or not, you might as well be on plan!
ABOUT RONI'S WEIGH:
Roni is a Mom, full time blogger and Weight Watchers Lifetime member. She found weight loss success blogging about her daily struggles to lose 70lbs and now continues her quest for a healthier lifestyle. As a young women, Roni struggled with body image and weight. Reaching her goal weight has inspired her to help others realize that they too can live healthier lives. Roni has started BlogToLose.com, a supportive online community for those that want to use blogging as a tool on their weight loss journeys.
Visit Roni Blogs Daily:
http://www.Ronisweigh.com
Shares Her Light Recipe Ideas:
http://www.GreenLiteBites.com.
To learn more about weight management at EmpowHer, go to
https://www.empowher.com/conditions/weight-management