Truth be told, losing weight is easier said than done. No matter how vigorous and ambitious one starts off, it always gets harder before it gets easier. Having a personal trainer to keep you on your toes is helpful for most people. But without a strong inner drive, you might even find yourself dodging your personal trainer. It is possible, though, to develop a sustainable weight loss routine.
The secret is that your drive must come from within for you to be able to power through the times when your body is tempted to throw in the towel. Below are five of the most powerful techniques for staying motivated in your weight loss routine.
Be Clear About Your Reason for Wanting to Lose Weight
Never lose sight of why you are engaging in your weight loss routine. Write down your reasons and review them before exercising. Keeping what you want for yourself front and center is a great way to maintain your routine and stay focused on your best interests. This will make you impervious to self-criticism or feelings of despair.
Gaining and maintaining a perfectly toned body is an ongoing process that will test your patience. But as long as you have your eye on the prize, each new day is a new opportunity to better yourself.
Develop a Routine that Fits Your Lifestyle
It’s all about sustainability. Do not start out so strong that you burn out in a few days or sacrifice other obligations in your life. Get a plan that includes diet and exercise routines and also has built-in recovery periods. You need these in order to stay healthy in the long run.
Also know that your diets should be balanced and taken at intervals that don’t dent your budget. Your exercise routine should be realistic and engage the whole body without overdoing it. Remember that your routine should complement your lifestyle—not complicate it.
Weight Loss Journal
Record your progress along the way and make sure to celebrate any success. Small steps add up to a long journey. Use a journal to record your progress, challenges, and success stories. Every time you review your journal, you will be encouraged to power on. Tracking your activities, such as foods consumed and specific exercises done, gives you a clear knowledge of what’s working and what isn’t.
Use Positive Self-talk to Keep a Positive Mindset
Many people make efforts to better themselves but their mentality sours along the way. This hampers longevity. Instead, create a positive mindset by saying good things to yourself about your weight and the goal you intend to achieve. Acknowledge the small improvements you see. Today you are better than yesterday, and you will be in even better shape tomorrow. Make that thought resound in your mind.
Plan Ahead for Setbacks
It is impossible to engage in a weight loss routine without facing at least a couple of setbacks along the way. You may have changed your diet to wholesome meals, but you can’t expect the people at work or at home to not forego their processed snacks and junk food because of your personal ambitions. Make sure that they know about your weight loss efforts.
This can help you turn your environment into a support system that encourages you when you wish to give up. Work on finding new coping mechanisms for the times when you encounter challenging circumstances. If you have a pattern of stress-eating, find alternative coping mechanisms, like taking a cold shower, calling a loved one, or going for a walk. Do not feel ashamed to ask for help or to seek encouragement from others.
Developing the motivation necessary to lose weight may seem difficult at first, but with practice, you will feel motivated very natural—and this will put you in a better place to achieve everything you set your mind to accomplishing.