You want to lose weight, but the daily grind of life wears you down. You decide you will start tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and there is just too much going on, so you decide that you will start the week off fresh next week by starting on Monday. Does this sound familiar? Finding the motivation to start a weight loss regime may seem impossible. However, focusing your attention in the right direction can make a world of difference.
You Are Not Alone
The Internet is filled with support groups and forums to help people lose weight. Churches, organizations and even businesses offer groups to help people find a way to start shedding the pounds. Fitness centers offer incentives and competitions. Even reality shows, such as NBC's "Biggest Loser," are now trying to motivate contestants, as well as the general public, to drop weight.
Decide for Yourself
The ancient Roman philosopher, Horace, said it best: "Rule your mind, or it will rule you." If you are looking for motivation to start losing weight, begin by looking within yourself. What is most important in your life? If these factors are driving forces for you to lose weight, find a way to focus on them. According to the book "Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Exercise and Sport," self-determination is one of the most successful forms of motivation.
Visions
Ask yourself what you want to look like. Maybe there is a particular outfit in your closet you are hoping to fit into. Envision yourself in these clothes. Focusing on what you want to achieve--the end goal--will keep you on track. The first few days or weeks of any weight-loss program are often the most difficult. However, if you turn your attention toward your intended outcome, you are more likely to hit the pavement or push away the desserts.
Journal It
Write everything down. Start by writing down why you want to lose weight. Find pictures of your desired look, whether they are of yourself ten years ago, a movie star or that outfit you envisioned, and paste them in your journal. Write all intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Anytime you feel like falling off track, turn to these pages to remind yourself what you are working for. And tracking your progress along the way will help you see how far along you have come on days when you question whether or not the hard work is worth it.
Reward Yourself
Anytime you accomplish one of your short-term objectives, such as losing 2 lbs. in a week, reward yourself. Knowing that you will be rewarded for your efforts while on your journey toward your big goal will give you something to be excited about along the way. Plus, short-term rewards will make the main objective not seem so far away.
References
- ThinkExist.com: Horace Quotes
- The Biggest Loser
- "Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Exercise and Sport"; Martin Hagger and Nikos Chatzisarantis; 2007
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