Get Motivated – Stay Motivated

Weight loss is a difficult undertaking. In fact most people who lose weight have tried several times or more to lose weight without success. One of the main reasons that people fail at losing weight is that they lack the motivation they need to get started and to keep going. Weight loss can be a long journey. Along the way you may encounter many bumps in the road –many of which may cause you to lose motivation.

Get Motivated

The first step towards real weight is to get motivated. Your initial motivation may set the tone and success of your ultimate weight loss. Don't begin to lose weight until you have a plan in mind. Determine what your weight loss goals are and then figure out what you need to do to accomplish them. Try to be optimistic but not overly so. Those who try to lose too much weight too quickly will certainly fail and won't want to try again.

Commit to Your Own Goals

Ultimately you need to lose weight for you and not for others. If you are trying to lose weight simply because you think it's what you should do your heart may not be in it. When you're not committed to your goals you're not going to attain them. Your motivation needs to come from within and not from others. You must want to lose weight. When you want something badly enough you'll be more likely to accomplish it.

Break Goals Down

Rather than having one major weight loss goal break it down into smaller goals. These smaller goals are much more manageable and therefore more easily attained. For example if you want to lose a total of 30 pounds break that down into weekly goals that you can reach. That may mean weekly goals of 2 pounds per week. As you reach your weekly goals you'll be more motivated to keep going to reach the rest of your goals.

Stay Motivated

Weight loss involves many emotions. Throughout the course of a diet you'll go through weeks where you find it easy to lose weight and weeks where it may seem impossible. It's no problem to stay motivated when you're losing the weight that you want. However when you are finding it difficult to reach your weight loss goals it can be difficult to stay motivated.

• Keep your eye on the prize. The ultimate goal is your ultimate motivation. Remember why you're doing this and refocus your attention on what you want to happen.

• Re-energize. If you seem to get off track take some time to reflect on your progress and regroup. Evaluate what you've done right and find ways that you can change what you're doing to facilitate better weight loss.

• Take some time off. Most people who are on a diet think that if they take a day off they have failed. Allow yourself a day or two to rethink your diet and create a new game plan. Don't beat yourself up if you need a day off.