When you're ready to make a change and finally lose the excess weight that has been plaguing you, you may find that your resolve weakens without proper motivation. Offering yourself rewards, finding an exercise partner or setting small, achievable goals can help keep you motivated so working out and losing weight become an enjoyable way of life rather than a bothersome task. Enlist the help of family and friends, community events and even popular magazines so you will be motivated to lose weight and accomplish your goals.
Step 1
Cut out magazine pictures of celebrities who have a body type you'd like to achieve. Be realistic and choose people who have similar body types, suggests the weight loss website NowLoss.com. You can hang the pictures in a place where you'll see them often to keep you on the right track. You also can find pictures of yourself when you had an ideal weight and use the images to keep you motivated.
Step 2
Join a weight loss group such as Overeaters Anonymous or Weight Watchers. Weekly meetings, weigh-ins and discussions can keep you motivated to lose weight. Richard Cotton, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, notes that having a support group and a formal weigh-in each week may be enough to keep you going to the gym each day and eager to post a loss at your weekly meetings.
Step 3
Recruit a friend to be your weight loss buddy. Arrange to meet at the same time and place each day for a run, or go to the gym or participate in a sport. Remove her phone number from your phone so that there is no way to cancel your appointment. Meet every day to exercise, discuss progress and keep each other motivated on the path to weight loss.
Step 4
Offer yourself small rewards for meeting weight loss goals, "Redbook" magazine suggests. Start small. For instance, after a 2 lb. weight loss, treat yourself to a movie. For 4 lbs. lost, buy yourself a new pair of shoes. Set your overall weight loss goal and plan a vacation for when you reach it. Post pictures of your rewards where you can see them so you can stay motivated.
Step 5
Make a goal that you need to keep. You could sign up for a 5K run a few months in the future and train for it as part of your weight loss regimen. Buy a bathing suit in a size smaller than you normally wear, and set a date for wearing it. Having a deadline can help you work harder in order to achieve your weight loss goals.
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