How To Stay Motivated To Lose Weight

Are you struggling with weight issues? Finding the motivation to lose weight is not easy. You are not alone on this one. Millions of people across the globe struggle like you and I to stay focussed on weight loss goals.

If weight loss is your goal these few tips may help you stay motivated and stay on the journey.

• Start by defining your why. Why do you personally want to lose weight?
• Set realistic goals.
• Connect with supportive family, friends or groups.
• Keep a journal
• Take one day at a time, and track daily.

In the past, I’ve yo-yoed with my weight, as many of us do.  It’s been up, it’s been down but more up.  I’ve lost weight with Herbalife, with Weight Watchers, via exercise and with Lite’N’Easy. Each time I’ve lost the weight, I succeeded in putting the kilos back on, plus some, why? because my mindset was not in the correct place so my weight would go back to it’s set point.  This time around my journey is different, the habits are set in and I’ve discovered ways to shift my mindset and change my set point.  I am happy to be following the below steps to bring my healthy self back into balance and back into shape.

Here are 5 vital tips on staying motivated to lose weight

1      Start with defining why you want to lose weight

Start your healthy weight loss journey by defining why you want to lose weight. Many people find themselves struggling to stick to their weight loss plans due to lack of motivation. The beauty of having clear goals when planning to lose weight is that they act as your major motivation. Are you doing it for health reasons, to fit into your designer clothes, to boost your self-confidence or just for fun? Defining your weight loss goals clearly and writing them down is a good place to get started. In short, you can achieve your long-term weight loss success if your motivation is driven from within.

What I have discovered is the ‘why’ in losing weight needs to be personal. It needs to be your why. It is vital the why is your way to stay motivated and push through any challenges. You need to own your reason and be doing it for yourself.

Common reasons a weight loss goal is set.

Being overweight can complicate your life in so many ways. Apart from complicating your dressing style, excess weight can leave you vulnerable to chronic diseases such as diabetes, breathing disorders, cardiovascular ailments or even cancer. Excess weight can also leave you unable to participate in the activities you wish to do.
The good news is that creating healthy habits for weight loss and sticking to the plan can make all the difference for you.

2      Set realistic goals

The secret to staying motivated to lose weight by creating habits lies in setting attainable goals. Setting unrealistic goals can result in endless frustrations and stress. Starting a healthy weight loss program is much easier compared to sticking to the plans. Most people drop out of their weight loss programs as a result of setting unattainable goals. Having realistic goals will boost your motivation knowing that you can accomplish all of them hassle-free.
To set realistic goals break the goal down into smaller goals. Create simple daily habits that lead to success

3      Seek Out a Supportive Community

Don’t isolate yourself from your friends all in the name of losing weight. Isolation will only lead to feelings of discouragement. Find inspiration from your supportive friends, groups or community. Joining a local gym, finding a workout partner or even hiring a reliable health coach can make all the difference for you. Alternatively, you can find your motivation in a positive online fitness community.
Aristotle said ‘There are 3 types of friends in life, friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for life.’ We all have family and friends we know and friends we don’t know yet who will assist us with our life goals.

4      Keep a Journal

Boost your motivation by keeping a well-updated journal or diary. Keeping track of your diet, food triggers, progress, self-discipline, and punctuality can help you to achieve all your weight loss goals without burning out. As a journal is your private journal you can write about your feelings, reactions and stresses. Writing in a journal daily is a good way to not only track what you eat but discover your ‘why’. Why you eat certain foods when you do comes from a wide array of things like; stress, loneliness, or reward.
You can actually track your progress using your Instagram account. Nothing is impossible when you are willing to hold yourself accountable.

This time around I’m keeping an online journal on Instagram, I just share the occasional photo of my meal, my day, my exercises and habits I’m setting on my weight loss journey. Having had some problems with my knees and plantar fasciitis, I like to focus on at least walking 10,000 steps a day. 

Related post: 5 Ways To Start A Personal Journal

5      Take one day at a time

Weight loss is a gradual process. Setting high expectations will only end in disappointment and stress. You can find motivation from within by patting yourself on the back for every small achievement you accomplish. Don’t look for perfection. Instead, expect to make progress with each step you take. Track your daily actions for optimal success. 

It is possible to motivate yourself to lose weight when you do it for yourself. If your goal is to lose weight it needs to be your personal goal. Assist yourself in achieving your weight loss goal by:

• Defining your ‘why’. Why this goal is your goal?
• Setting yourself realistic goals.
• Surrounding yourself with support from family, friends or support groups.
• Writing in a journal
• Tracking your results and taking one day at a time.

Another way I stay motivated on my weight loss journey? I picture the image of the future me and create a vision board that helps me to focus on my weight loss journey. Here is how to create a vision board to help you with your weight loss goal.

Along the way, remember to stop and celebrate your achievements.