Weight loss is not something that happens overnight. In fact, it’s not even something that generally happens over the course of a few weeks. Healthy weight loss is a long-term strategy that takes patience, persistence and a constantly renewed sense of motivation. Finding your own weight loss motivation is a process unique to you.
During our weight loss retreats, we find that lagging motivation is an all-too-common reason we hear for abandoning a commitment to healthier choices. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to consistently fuel your motivation and make it easier to stick with your healthier lifestyle.
Don’t go it alone
Joining a group of likeminded individuals does wonders to continuously recharge your sense of engagement. Not only can you visit a weight loss resort or book a stay at luxury weight loss retreat, you can also easily connect with others through online message boards, support groups or in-person Meetup groups. By interacting with new people you learn from their insights and share your own challenges with others who are guaranteed to understand exactly what you’re going through.
Watch transformation firsthand
Find documentaries, online videos, and articles that document other people’s weight loss transformation. When you witness someone else’s true-life success, you remind yourself that yes, healthy weight loss is achievable and it’s waiting for you.
Get excited about a new lifestyle
Changing your lifestyle to reflect healthier choices doesn’t have to be a drag. Rather than dwelling on the loss of all your favorite comfort foods, learn about healthier ingredients and how they impact your health. Research new recipes featuring exotic and exciting vegetables and learn about these foods’ history and how they’re harvested. When you know more about the foods you eat, you’re more likely to stay interested over time.
Set reasonable time frames…then keep extending them
“I’m never eating sugar again” can sound pretty bleak, making it a difficult to maintain goal. But by setting an achievable time frame like, “no sugar for two weeks,” you create a much easier target. When you reach that goal, take the time to review how good you feel and how much you ended up not missing the unhealthy item. Then extend your goal for a longer (but still achievable) period. Before you know it, your diet and palette will shift and you’ll have assimilated healthier foods without resistance.
Change your attitude
During our weight loss retreats, we stress the idea that lasting change truly occurs from the inside out. Repeat daily affirmations out loud using the present tense to trick your mind into believing your goal has already been accomplished. Quiet your critical inner dialogue by spending at least 10 minutes in daily meditation. And actively congratulate yourself whenever possible on how far you’ve come, even if you’ve only just begun.
Remove yourself from your everyday environment
Plan a weight loss vacation at a wellness retreat or weight loss luxury resort and reset your routine. During a full immersion retreat, you learn about key factors that influence weight loss like behavioral patterns, nutrition choices, and medical considerations, all of which are unique to you. By working with experts in each of these fields, you give yourself the attention and education you need to maintain your commitment back at home.
The suggestions above will help you find and maintain your motivation. But it’s equally important to avoid behaviors and expectations that actively sabotage your progress.
Here’s what not to do:
- Compare yourself to others.
- Set unreasonable expectations.
- Stress yourself through a deprivation diet.
- Fall off the wagon and stay off. If you skip a day of exercise, don’t scrap your plan. Just show up tomorrow.
Finding and keeping your motivation to lose weight can be tricky. But if you recognize that all your weight loss success will stem from your ongoing commitment to yourself, and make maintaining your motivation your #1 priority, you’ll find that your path to weight loss gets much easier to tread.
What are your favorite weight loss motivation tips? Share them with us below.
