8 Tips: Motivation for Weight Loss

 

 

 

Motivation Tips for Weight Loss Success

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight only to find that you just can’t seem to stick with your weight loss plans, you’re certainly not alone. It’s easy to get tired of the same old “diet food”, and maybe you give in to a craving or indulgence in a moment of weakness. This can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, it’s often the catalyst that throws you off course, both physically and emotionally.

 

You don’t have to let a slip up cause you to give up on your weight loss dreams. However, chances are, you’re going to need a little motivation and encouragement to get you back on track. With these 8 motivational tips for successful weight loss, you’ll be able to keep motivated, even when the going gets tough.

 

Motivation for Weight Loss Tips

When you want to make this time the one where you actually stick with your diet and reach your goal, then these motivation tips can help. After all, successful weight loss is about more than what you eat or how many calories you consume, it’s also about your attitude.

 

Tip #1:  Diet Success Starts with Realistic Goals

One of the biggest predictors of long term weight loss success is to start with a realistic goal. If your weight loss goal is not attainable, you’ve set yourself up for failure before you’ve even begun. If you set an unattainable goal, such as losing 20 pounds over the next few weeks, you’re bound to fail; it’s just not realistically attainable and can definitely blast away at your motivation for weight loss.

Instead, if you choose a sensible eating plan and focus on your health, you’ll be much more likely to be successful in reaching and maintaining your weight loss goals. Set small attainable goals, such as losing 5 pounds, and you’ll find that it’s easier to stick with your diet. Reaching those smaller achievements will give you the confidence to keep moving forward.

 

Tip #2:  Take it Slow

Successful weight loss means making lifestyle changes. These changes are not going to happen overnight. If you lose weight in a slow and healthy manner, you’re more likely to keep it off. You can cut back a 200 calories per day and you’ll likely not even notice, but if you restrict too many calories, you’ll probably be hungry and cranky. Keep in mind, most experts recommend weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week.

 

Tip #3:  Expect That There Will Be Setbacks

At some point, just about everyone will give in to temptation. Whether it’s that ice cream cone you’ve been craving or it’s some other indulgence you know you shouldn’t have, when you’ve slipped up on your diet, don’t make it an excuse to binge the rest of the day. So, you’ve had something you probably shouldn’t have; accept it and move on. Just don’t make it a habit.

 

Tip #4:  Don’t Be a Perfectionist

If you’ve overindulged, it is what it is. You’ve consumed a few hundred extra calories that day. It’s not the end of the world. Don’t look at yourself and think that you’ve failed or worse, that YOU are a failure. The perfectionist might look at this slip up or overindulgence as a reason to quit. Don’t even entertain that idea. It’s not the end of your diet, and it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t get back on track and do better tomorrow. Keep moving forward. You don’t fail until you quit trying.

 

Tip #5:  Enlist a Friend

It can be hard to make lifestyle changes when you’re working alone. Find a friend or two and use the buddy system. You’ll be able to encourage each other, giving you a better chance at success. If you don’t have a friend or family member with similar weight loss goals, then consider finding someone at your local Y or even an online weight loss support group. It can be very beneficial to have someone to lift you up when your spirits are lagging.

 

Tip #6:  Patience Pays Off

When you hit that dreaded weight loss plateau, it can definitely be a huge motivation buster. If you’ve been following your diet and exercising, then the plateau is simply a normal part of weight loss. Instead of letting it get you down, give yourself a pat on the back for the great job you’ve done so far. You might want to evaluate what you’ve been doing to make sure that you haven’t started to let those extra calories slip in, but you can also jump start your weight loss by making a plan to burn off an extra 100 calories per day. Don’t get down on yourself, understand that plateaus are normal, and stick with your weight loss plan. You’ll soon start to see the scale dropping again.

 

Tip #7:  Don’t Forget to Reward Yourself

Celebrate your diet successes by giving yourself a reward for reaching small milestones. Of course, don’t make it a food reward. Make plans to see a movie with a friend, enjoy a day at the spa or simply relax with a book. Giving yourself a little pat on the back for a job well done can be a great way to provide motivation for weight loss success.

 

Tip #8:  Have a Maintenance Plan

Many people lose weight only to turn around and put it all back on again. Make sure that you have a plan to keep the weight off once your reach your weight loss goal. Healthy eating should be a lifestyle, not just a way to shed those unwanted pounds and inches.

 

 

Learn more about motivation for weight loss at WebMD.