Are you trying hard to lose weight? If so, you probably realize by now that there are ups and downs on the road to your ideal body. There will be days when your feel like your motivation is starting to slip. In tough times like that, take a look at this inspirational list we’ve compiled for you. These are 20 of the best ways to stay motivated to lose weight. We know you can do it!
1. Don’t Try So Hard.
It seems like a crazy thing to say when you’re trying to lose weight, but sometimes you can put so much effort into your goals that you actually end up with burnout before you have the chance to achieve them. For example, if you find yourself feeling a lack of motivation after running every single day of the week, give yourself a rest for one to three days. Your body needs time to recover. Don’t worry – you will feel that same boost of energy again after you give your body a little break.
2. Use An Item As Daily Motivation.
Hang a piece of clothing you would like to fit into again on your closet door. What better motivation than to envision yourself in a shirt or pair of pants that you used to wear. Picture what you used to look like in the item, and keep that vision in your mind. And, because you already own the item, you know it’s an attainable goal!
3. Create Monthly Goals.
If you were going to set a goal at work you would have a plan, right? There’s no reason you can’t treat weight loss the same way! Create monthly exercise and diet goals and write them in a planner. Check off achievements as you go and feel the motivation come back to you!
4. Expand Your Playlist.
If you’re exercising often, chances are your playlist is getting stale. Take an afternoon or evening to seek out new music and treat yourself to some downloads. The new tunes will give you new energy!
5. Focus On How You Look And Feel, Not The Scale.
It’s easy to base thoughts about yourself on what the scale says. If you’re working out hard and eating right, don’t be discouraged by the number on the scale. Instead, notice how your clothes are starting to fit better. Notice how your face glows after a workout. Notice your energy levels going up.
6. Keep Your Kitchen Stocked With Healthy Foods.
When your kitchen is healthy, you will be healthy too! Take junk food out of the mix and give yourself healthy snack options to choose from. Try to pick a new healthy snack to try each week to keep things exciting. This will make temptations much easier to overcome.
7. Start A Blog.
Take to the internet for inspiration and support! Document your weight loss journey. After a few months, you can go back and see how far you’ve come. You will also be able to inspire others, which will feel just as great as your weight loss!
8. Get The Support Of Friends And Family.
Tell others that you are trying to lose weight. If you do fall off course, they can support you and cheer you on!
9. Download Weight Loss Apps.
There’s nothing like the support of an app! You can download apps to track your steps walked, to keep track of what you eat and even to get new healthy recipes.
10. Don’t Just Work Out – Be Active!
If you’re getting burned out with your normal exercise routine, try to stop thinking of it as a chore. Go for a hike on your favorite trail or even walk laps around the shopping mall. Every little move counts, and you don’t have to make it feel like a routine.
11. Don’t Weight Yourself Everyday.
Understand that weight fluctuates. It’s best to weigh yourself once a week or once a month instead of making it a daily practice. If you weigh yourself every day, fluctuations can disappoint you and deter you from success.
12. Don’t Let Failure Stop You.
So you ate a cupcake and a bag of chips yesterday. That doesn’t mean you have to do it again today! Move past it and keep on going. Understand that failure is part of the process.
13. Try A New Exercise Class.
If you feel your motivation slipping, maybe you just need a change of scenery. Try a new yoga class at your gym or join a rock climbing group. You’ll meet new people and have fun in the process!
14. Get A Trainer.
When all else fails to get you motivated, you can always hire a personal trainer to help you plan and achieve your weight loss goals.
15. Build A Weight Loss Diary With Photos.
Whether the diary is just for you to see how far you’ve come, or it’s something you post on Instagram, photos are powerful motivators! They will document your journey and can inspire you to achieve.
16. Reward Yourself when You Reach Milestones.
Tell yourself that once you lose 5 pounds, you will go for a massage or a weekend away. Rewards are incredibly powerful motivators.
17. List The Reasons You Want To Lose Weight.
Whether you write them down or type them out, seeing the reasons makes them more “real”. Read them to yourself out loud as often as you need to.
18. Compete With Others.
Find a friend who is also trying to lose weight, and setup challenges with them. Motivate each other and build support for your goals. The first person to run 3 miles without stopping wins!
19. Stop Being Critical Of Yourself.
No one is perfect. Only when you accept yourself for who you are, will you learn to love yourself. The more you love your body, the better you will take care of it!
20. Stay Positive.
A positive attitude goes a long way! Expect failures along the road to your ideal body. The key to success is seeing past failures and keeping your eye on the prize!