We often make the decision that from now on we’ll stick to the diet and work out, but sooner or later just give up. We live carelessly until the same problem starts to hunt us again and the whole story begins from the square one.
Where to find the motivation?
Different things motivate different people but the most important thing is to find the roots. Ask yourself WHY you actually want to lose weight. Is it because of others? In that case you will definitely not succeed. You have to understand that you live in your very own body, you control it and everything you do you do for yourself. If you want to make changes to your body, you are the one who has to make the efforts. It all starts from your mind. Therefore:
Step 1: Acknowledge that your diet and workout plan is only for your OWN benefit.
Which are your goals? Do you want to fit into your old jeans or make a belly piercing? Maybe you just want to walk on the beach full of confidence. You have to keep in mind the benefits you get after changing your lifestyle.
Step 2: Keep in mind the goal that you want to achieve
How much are you willing to change your lifestyle? You do not have to torture yourself and give up everything you enjoy. If you are sure you want to have chocolate cake every once in a while, there is no reason to abandon that source of joy. You can simply have a smaller piece occasionally in the morning- it does not ruin the whole effort if you can control yourself. You can make a list of things that you are not willing to give up- you can simply reduce the amounts and balance it with the rest of your food.
Step 3: Set yourself limits when creating a diet plan. If it enables you to eat your favorite food occasionally you will not give up so easily.
How much do you actually want to lose weight? Losing as much as possible or just a little bit are not suitable answers. Create a milestone plan including your final goal: e.g. by the end of the next month I will weigh 10 pounds less, it means that I have one week to lose 2 pounds. Stick to your plan and if you succeed you can be really proud of yourself. You can also motivate yourself by making gifts: e.g. right after I have succeeded to weight that particular amount, I will buy myself new DVDs, cosmetics etc
Step 4: Create a weigh-loss plan, stick to it and reward yourself
So it is not so difficult to set yourself all kind of plans and schedules, the problem is about actually putting it into practice. You have to ask yourself a question when difficulties arise and you want to reach your hand towards this delicious fatty meal.
What makes you happier- the pleasure of food that last for few minutes or the life in a better-looking healthy body and the resulting confidence? If you won- meaning that you were strong enough not to give up to the temptation- then think back to it after some time. You really do have a strong personality!
Step 5: Do not give up, fight the temptations.
You could also separate your mind from your body. It is your body that you really love but the body is so eager to express the desire towards different meals. Just imagine that your body is your most beloved friend, called “Beauty”. It is your mission to feed Beauty and help him/her to lose weight. If you could influence Beauty’s lifestyle then would you actually feed him/her that meal and let him/her skip the trainings. Remember, you really love Beauty and you want him/her to succeed.
Step 6: Take care of your body as if it was your best friend
Now think back: about school or work or relationship. Remember those times when it was really difficult to achieve something, you already thought about giving up. You really struggled and finally you achieved it. Didn’t it feel like paradise- you knew how large effort you had put into it! The situation is the same- actually you know there is nothing impossible, you only have to be consistent and patient and follow the road you chose. At the end of that road there is your goal- this is where health and happiness are waiting for you. You know you can do it.
Step 7: Believe in yourself, your goal is NOT impossible to achieve
So, you have struggled a lot and lost some weight. It has all been really difficult and even though you would like to lose some more, you are not sure whether to continue or not. You hoped that you can achieve your goals faster and more easily. The truth is that after the visible differences appear, the motivation increases significantly. The clothes you used to wear have become are now too large. You can go shopping and try on new pieces of clothes: they look a lot better on you now! You have more energy and as a result of all that you are happier and more eager to carry on the new healthy lifestyle you chose.
Step 8: Acknowledge that every beginning is difficult and there are no shortcuts
You have to keep the balance between the diet and workout. Of course you can compensate smaller drawbacks one way or another but remember that these two aspects are equally important. Do not hate either one of those- both healthy food and exercise can be really enjoyable! If you keep telling yourself that you HAVE TO work out then it is an obligation, a responsibility that harasses you. If you say that you CHOOSE to exercise then your freedom of making decisions makes the whole process a lot more enjoyable. The same thing is with eating healthy food, it is your CHOICE, because you chose what is actually good for you.
Step 9: Balance the food and exercise- do not force yourself but choose what is good for you
Too much of a good thing never gives good results. Act reasonably and do not overdo anything. Too strict (and low calorie diet) together with too much exercise will simply debilitate you and health disorders might appear. Even if you do not feel hungry, you should not skip meals nor spend the whole days is a gym. Otherwise you will turn weak soon and give up before accomplishing anything.
Step 10: Act reasonably and do not overdo anything
