How to Stay Motivated to Lose Weight and Feel Better
When the New Year comes around, do you find yourself wondering how to stay motivated to lose weight?
Embarking on a weight loss journey requires dedication, determination, and hard work. This is no small feat, which is why having a stock of motivation on hand is so helpful in achieving success.
Thankfully, motivation is not this super rare gift that only comes around occasionally. It is something that you can learn to manifest and tap into when you need it.
Let’s explore various strategies on how to stay motivated to lose weight, ensuring you remain committed to your goals.
How to Stay Motivated to Lose Weight
No more asking yourself, “How do I stay motivated to lose weight?” Here are some of the best ways to get and stay motivated.
Find Your ‘Why’
We all have something that pushes us to go after a goal, and that something is different for everyone.
Understanding your reasons for wanting to lose weight is essential to staying motivated. A strong ‘why’ serves as the foundation for your commitment and determination.
Identifying your personal ‘why’ will help you stay focused, even during challenging times, and remind you of the long-term benefits you’re working toward on your weight loss journey.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do I want to achieve this goal?
- What is pushing me to do this?
- Who am I doing this for?
- What will it feel like once I accomplish this goal?
Write down your ‘why’ and post it in a place that you’re likely to see it such as your work station, bathroom mirror, etc.
Set Realistic Goals
Once you know your driving factor, you can start to set goals. Here’s the thing: you need to be realistic with your goals and healthy habits.
Establishing realistic goals is crucial for maintaining motivation throughout your weight loss journey. Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and frustration, hindering your progress.
When setting goals, use the SMART criteria. This ensures your objectives are clear, trackable, and attainable. All of your goals should be as follows:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Examples of realistic goals include the following:
- Losing 1-2 pounds per week
- Increasing daily steps by 250 every week until you reach 8,000 steps
- Adding one green vegetable to your daily lunch