Well, it has been about three months since you started your New Years resolution to eat healthier and drop a few pounds. If you are like most of us, your motivation may be waning a bit, the warmer weather and spring holidays have come along and you may have been tempted by fattening foods. Maybe your weight has even hit a plateau, or you have grown tired of your workout routine or the simple healthy recipes you have been eating. Research has shown that no matter what type of eating plan you follow, the most significant factor in being successful is motivation. Have no fear, there are ways to get yourself back on track and improve your motivation.
First, rememeber why you started this: Are you modifying your eating habits or trying to lose weight due to pressure from someone else, or just to keep up with others around you or the current trends? If you are not whole heartedly on board, you will never really feel motivated. The “why” must be based on how you feel and what you desire. If you want to feel healthier, have more energy, limit your risk for disease, live longer for your self and your loved ones, or even feel more excited when clothes shopping, then this will fuel your motivation.
Don’t set yourself up for failure: If your set unrealistic goals you will be discouraged when you don’t reach them. Instead of setting out to lose twenty pounds in a month, which is unrealistic, try a goal of 2-4 pounds a week. An unrealistic goal will only discourage you when you don’t meet it..
Set goals in stages: Rather than deciding you want to lose 50 pounds, decide your first step is to lose 10 or 15. Then when you meet your first goal it will further motivate you to keep going.
Reward Yourself: When you meet a goal, give yourself a small “gift” such as a new piece of clothing or a facial. It gives you something to look forward to and also makes you feel special and motivates you to work toward the next reward.
Constantly Assess Your Progress: Always remember where you started, focus on how many pounds you lost, or how many dress sizes you are down or even the fact that you are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables than before you started out. You may find that taking “inventory” once a week on your progress, will help keep you motivated.
Keep Striving: One tactic of a successful person is once they achieve one goal they are already setting another. Maybe you started eating healthier to lose weight for a beach vacation, but once you go to the beach and wear that new swim suit will you still be motivated to watch what you eat? Instead you need to start focusing on future vacations, the feeling you get when everything looks good while clothes shopping, even wearing a sexy dress to a future wedding. Think long term and your motivation will last long term.
And if ever you stumble, dust yourself off, remember you are human and get back to it. If you let a small indiscretion discourage you, it will take you permanently off track. If you find yourself needing help getting or staying motivated or setting realistic nutrition and weight loss goals, remember I am here to help.
