subject: Stay Excited About Losing Weight! [print this page] Sometimes losing weight seems like it takes forever, much longer than it took to gain. That's why, like many other dieters, you may become bored or discouraged as you work toward your weight loss goal. You may even forget why you wanted to shed those pounds to begin with! When that happens, it's easy to resume the habits that made you overweight in the first place.
If you're having difficulty staying focused, following the strategies below can help you stay motivated as you lose those extra pounds.
Motivator #1: Your Goal
Before you begin dieting, set your weight loss goal, and make it as realistic and as specific as you can. Decide upon a weight that's appropriate for your age, height and frame, and allow yourself adequate time to lose it, keeping in mind that two to three pounds per week is safest.
Also, set a lifestyle goal that is related to your weight loss. One of your goals, for instance, could be to become an active member of your community's softball league. Or perhaps, after you shed your first 25 lbs., you intend to join your kids on a weekly bike ride through the neighborhood.
Motivator #2: Your Reason
As you pursue your goal, stay focused on why you want to lose weight. Do you want to do more things and go more places, but you feel your weight is keeping you from that active lifestyle for which you long? Or maybe your size is adversely affecting your health, your relationships with family and friends, or your job performance.
Once you pinpoint the core reason you're ready to lose weight, write it down and place it in a location you look at from time to time. It could be a statement as simple as, "I want to be able to play sports with my children" or as profound as "I want to break the cycle of obesity in my family."
As you pursue your weight loss goal, don't forget the reason you want to change your life by changing your weight.
Motivator #3: Your Success
If you limit your caloric intake, choose a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and exercise, you're going to lose weight. There's no doubt about that. As you do so, keep track of your success.
Some dieters actually create a graph or chart so that they can see their progress both in the mirror and on paper. Others simply write their weight in their diaries or mark it on their kitchen calendars or in their electronic assistants.
Because your weight varies widely throughout the day, it's best to weigh yourself at the same time each day or each week. A weekly weigh-in before breakfast is best, as it will give you a clear view of the progress you're making. And won't that be encouraging? Absolutely!
Motivator #4: Your Choices
Routine is great. It often leads to success, particularly when the habits you develop are healthy ones, like drinking sparkling water instead of sugary root beer or taking a thirty-minute walk every evening after dinner. Unfortunately, routine can also lead to boredom, and boredom can lead to unhealthy choices.
What can you do to beat the blahs without reaching for a box of donuts? Add variety through healthy choices. Add excitement to your breakfast with an in-season or exotic fruit. Chances are, it will be low in calories and fit right in with your day's diet plan. Spice up your lunch and dinnerliterallyby experimenting with thyme, oregano, cumin, cilantro, cayenne and other spices instead just salt and pepper.
Break the monotony through variety in your exercise program, too. If your evening walk is becoming boring, take a different routeor take the dog, a neighbor, your best friend or an IPod. Whatever you do, choose to remain active every day. Physical activity will not only help you lose weight, but it will also help you maintain a positive outlook.
Motivator #5: Your Outlook
When you follow a weight loss program, your choices aren't just about food, drink and exercise. They're also about how you feel regarding the changes that are occurring in your life.
Often, dieters focus on all the things they can't have as they lose weightthe chips, the candy, the cakes. Instead, why not focus on all the things that shedding those pounds has given you.
Do you feel comfortable wearing short sleeves again? Do your pants fit better? Do you feel more confident as you navigate throughout your day? Do your joints feel better? And what about your digestion? I bet it's improved, too.
In other words, count your blessings. Besides, those things you may sometimes misslike sitting in front of the TV alone in sweatpants, stuffing down bags of chips and guzzling bottles of sodaprobably weren't really that great after all.
Stay Excited About Losing Weight!
By: Henrik Hansen
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