The first few weeks of a weight loss plan can be very energizing. You're eating healthy, losing weight and feeling proud of what you're accomplishing. After a while, the glow wears off and you get down to real life where temptations abound. Sticking with a healthy, sustainable weight loss plan can be a slow process. Keeping motivated is a constant process with no one perfect fix. Employ a variety of motivational methods to better the chances of keeping on track while dropping those pounds.
Step 1
Find support in friends and family members to help you keep going. Pair up with a friend or small group of friends who have the same weight loss goals. Meet every week to share tips and compare notes. Cheer each other on when you have small victories, whether on the scale or off and offer constructive advice when others are struggling.
Step 2
Join message boards online with like-minded people. Many weight loss groups websites provide free message boards for members. Peruse the threads until you find a board that feels comfortable. Introduce yourself and join or start conversations. Having support on an immediate basis can make the difference between getting discouraged and carrying on. Most online communities have large groups of people helping one another through any confidence crisis.
Step 3
Set yourself up with a schedule of rewards. Write the schedule and put it somewhere you will see every day. Choose small rewards for small goals, like losing 5 lbs. Plan on larger rewards for bigger goals, like losing 10 percent of your body weight. Do not include food as a reward for any reached goal, but treat yourself to something that might help your weight loss journey, like fun workout clothes or lively music CDs to use during exercise sessions.
Step 4
Make charts on poster board to track your weight loss progress. Create a colorful graph and mark your weight and measurements every week. Make another chart to track your workout hours, sessions in the gym or other weight loss goals. Get as elaborate as you like by using gold stars or fancy stickers as goal markers. Keep the chart where you can see it frequently.
Step 5
Compete with a group of friends or family members. Many people have created "Biggest Loser" types of contests at work or in neighborhoods. Choose a weekly or monthly prize that everyone will be excited to work toward. Create a winner's pot with money that everyone contributes to weekly, for example. Meet each week, record and keep a large chart with everyone's progress and award the prize.
Things You'll Need
- Poster board
- Markers
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