What is Your Motivation to Lose Weight?
June 30, 2013
It is very hard to lose weight without the proper motivation.
What motivates us to do anything? Is it the goal, the outcome, success,
competition, etc. Whatever it is it drives us to push until we get what
we want. So how come so many people want to lose weight but don't?
Motivation is one if the key factors in ones ability to lose weight and
keep it off. If you don't have the proper motivation to lose weight you
are more likely to quit before you even see any results.
Wanting to lose weight and actually doing it are two completely
different things. The difference is the motivation that gets us up off
our butts and actually doing something about it. So what motivates you
and how do you continue to motivate yourself throughout the process of
losing weight?
Objectively, losing weight is the outcome you want to achieve but your motivation is why you want to lose weight
and what drives you to actually lose the weight. Everyone has different
reasons for wanting to lose weight. Some examples include wanting to be
skinny or be skinnier than you are, wanting to be healthy, wanting to
be able to fit into clothes you like, being able to do certain sports or
activities that interest you, live longer, reduce your risk for disease,
etc. whatever the reason is this is the source of your motivation. So
how do you use this motivation to keep you on track and ultimately help
you to achieve your goals?
Everyone's motivations are different so you have to be creative in
the way that you motivate yourself on a daily basis to continue to eat
healthy and exercise.
Reminder or sticky notes with encouraging messages placed around your
home, workspace or in your car are a daily motivator. Pictures of what
you want your overall outcome to be when you lose your weight that way
if you get down or need a pick me up you can look at them and know that
this is what you are going to achieve by sticking with it.
Pictures of
your family, kids or friends so that you know you will be around for
them in the future by becoming healthy. You can buy that piece of
clothing in the size that you want to get to and know that once you lose
that weight you will be able to wear it. Achievement gifts such as a
book, piece of jewelry or shoes when you reach small goals will also
motivate you to continue on your weight loss path (avoid using food
gifts such as sweets or dinner which will only set you back and
discourage you). Keep a diary, journal or calendar so you can track
your work ethic and progress. If you are competitive, have a
competition between friends that way it forces you to work harder.
There is no right or wrong way to motivate yourself. Everyone responds
differently to different types of motivation. Some people prefer to be
pushed harder while others work at their own pace. Whatever it takes to
keep you exercising and eating healthy to achieve your weight loss
goals is the best motivator for you!