Weightloss Made Simple

Tips for motivation

1. Workout with a friend. I once heard a proverb that said you should always travel with a friend. That way, when one stumbles, the other can help them up. We all go through peaks and valleys in our motivation. When you aren't feeling motivated, your friend can help you through the rough spot. Also, if you have an appointment to workout with a friend, you have the added pressure to stick to your workout schedule.
2. Keep focused on your goal. Imagine what it would be like to be thin. Imagine how you will feel. Imagine what you will do with all the new energy you have. You have to keep focused on the positive. When you don't feel like going to the gym, think of the results you will achieve.
3. Keep track of your achievements. You are dieting and exercising for a reason. Think of the pounds you lost, or the extra weight you can lift.
   
4. Break your goals down into manageable steps.
   For instance, don't just say "I want to lose 50 pounds and run a 10 minute mile."
   Break these goals down in to smaller steps. For instance, in the next six months, you can plan to lose 10 pounds and actually be able to jog a mile. When you make a number of smaller accomplishments, you feel good about yourself because you can think about what you HAVE accomplished, not what you have NOT accomplished.
5. Be sure to reward yourself when you have achieved a goal. Perhaps you can go shopping. Or you may decide to check out a new ski resort or beach. Just be careful about rewarding yourself with food.
6. Make time to workout. Often, you have to specifically plan to workout in order to do it. How can you fit it into your day? I will generally arrange most of my other plans around my plans to workout.