Being overweight in today’s society is very stressful. You are constantly bombarded with media and advertising that touts the latest weight loss product or gimmick, and you are surrounded by images of thin, sexy people. Guilt is often present in the overweight person’s mind, as well as a lack of self-confidence and social anxiety.
None of these things are helpful to any attempt to lose weight. To develop a positive mental attitude about losing weight, the overweight individual must find things to motivate them, and other forms of support.
In the beginning of a weight loss effort, motivation is often high. You are able to control your eating and exercise is not yet a burden. In the first week, the weight loss totals are often large, and that in itself can be very motivating to continue. In the following weeks, weight loss slows, you grow bored with diet food, and excuses start piling up as to why you can skip exercise each day.
There are several great ways to keep your motivation high:
One: Keep a Journal
Not only will this keep a record of how much you have lost. If you record your feelings when you record a loss, you can go back and read them over and over to recapture the motivation that came from that experience. Also, by recording your thoughts and emotions on the weight loss journey, you will better be able to deal with them. Much of over-eating is emotional eating, and learning how to deal with the emotions in another way is important.
There are hundreds of different internet support groups, forums, and chat rooms dedicated to weight loss and fitness. These groups provide a place where anyone trying to lose weight can discuss the difficulties and the successes they have. It is a safe place to talk about issues that overweight people face, since everyone in the group is struggling with the same thing.
Internet support groups can raise your motivation by challenging each other to weight loss or exercise goals. They can also help you be accountable for your diet and activity levels.
Three: Display Motivation Pictures or Objects
Displaying a motivational picture of you at your lower weight is a great visual cue to stay on your diet. You can also display a picture of an actress or model whose body you would love to have. This will serve as a reminder of your goal and will help keep you on your diet.
Another great motivator is to hang up a goal outfit or piece of clothing in plain view. A pair of size 6 jeans hanging off the door will motivate you to lose weight and fit into them.
Four: Give Yourself Rewards
Rewarding yourself for your efforts and any small success is an important part of staying motivated to lose weight. Many overweight people might have the habit of rewarding themselves with chocolate or a meal out at a favorite restaurant. For long-term weight loss, these rewards must be changed to other things: manicures, a massage, a new pair of earrings, or anything that you like. The rewards will keep you motivated during your weight loss journey.
Maintaining weight loss motivation is an important part of succeeding in your weight loss journey. Overweight people generally have a lot of emotional attachments to food, and forming other attachments is important part of loosing weight. Journaling, reminders, rewards, and support groups are all excellent weight loss motivation and support techniques.
