Any trainer, nutritionist or medical professional can tell you that losing weight is 90 percent psychological. How you approach your nutrition and exercise mentally can make or break any kind of weight program you’d like to follow. Here are some motivational tips to get you on the right path and keep you there:



•Figure out your weight loss goals: are you just looking to lose a few pounds? Cutting back on certain foods in your diet and starting an exercise program could be the answer. Are you trying to build muscle? Consuming more protein while upping your exercise might be your goal. Are you extremely overweight? Consult a doctor to see what the best plan of action will be for you.

•Set realistic goals. Sure, it’s easy to say you’re going to drop 25 pounds in three months, but faced with a daunting goal, most men are more inclined to throw in the towel. Instead, break it up into smaller, more manageable goals and reward yourself when you reach them.

•Understand that weight loss takes time to happen and everyone’s progress is different. You may not see results immediately, but that’s no reason to stop.

•Exercise with a friend. If you have a hard time sticking with a regular schedule, working out with someone else can help you stay with it. Plus, you’ll also have a partner to encourage you, spot for you and share your pain.

•Don’t be afraid to get help. Yes, men are notorious for being DIY champions, but if you find it difficult to keep to your weight management and fitness goals, your next step might be to consult a trainer at a gym or ask your doctor for ways to drop the weight.

•Keep a food journal to track your eating habits. It’s surprising how much goes under the radar when you’re not watching what you eating. Simply writing down the foods you consume along with portion sizes can give you a good idea as to how you can eat healthier.

•Discover if you’re eating for the wrong reason. Men often use food to cope with stress, depression, anger or just plain boredom. Do you really need that bag of chips from the vending machine at 2:00 pm? Or do you just need an excuse to leave your office desk? Before snacking, ask yourself if you honestly feel hungry. There’s better ways to work out mental issues or blow off steam (like through exercise).

•Once men hit their target weight, there’s a tendency to back slide. Why? Because maintaining good health is just as difficult as achieving it. That’s why it’s important to stick to your guidelines even when you achieve your initial fitness goal.

•Learn from setbacks. Face it: Man is imperfect. A small slip-up now and then is not going to kill you. It’s no reason to give up and just binge, or stop exercising all together. Instead of focusing on these setbacks, keep your eye on the short-term goal. If you find that you are dealing with the same problems again and again, evaluate your weight management process and see if you can discover where you are getting sidetracked. You might have to try a different approach all together to get over the hurdles.