The reality is that losing weight can be a difficult task to undertake for many people. There are so many diets and fitness plans out there; it’s hard to know which one will work best for you. What if you told me that all of them do not work? That would make things easier, right? Well, the truth is that some of them do not work because they lack motivational strategies and have a chance of losing motivation to workout. This article discusses practical ways to stay motivated while trying to lose weight.
1. Team exercises
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to exercise as a team. Not everyone likes exercising, and sometimes it’s hard to make yourself go for a run. But, when you know people are waiting for you at the gym or outside running with you, then you will be able to keep going. Of course, if you don’t like working out in groups, then find someone who inspires you and work out together once in a while. The benefits of team training exercises versus solo training exercises include having a partner or instructor who will push you and someone to set the pace for you. Also, there is safety in numbers. It’s hard to go out for a bike ride late at night by yourself, but if your buddy takes you, then you can do it together. Team exercises such as spin classes, group bike rides, group hikes, and boot camps are great ways to stay motivated.
2. Make a list
Making a list of what you want from losing weight is one of the most efficient ways to stay motivated while trying to lose weight. Writing down all the things that motivate you about losing weight will keep those motivators on your mind even when temptation strikes or motivation wanes. Some examples of creating a list could include getting healthier, looking better, playing with children without getting tired after 10 minutes, fitting into smaller clothes, saving money on clothes, buying new clothes, etc. You can make a list of anything that motivates you.
3. Start slow
If you are new to working out or getting into shape, going from nothing to going five days a week at the gym will not help you stay motivated. It will probably destroy all of your motivation and desire. When starting a new workout routine, talk with a doctor to ensure that there aren’t any reasons you shouldn’t be exercising, and start slowly. There’s no need to have high expectations from the beginning as this may also provide unnecessary stress, leading to frustration and quitting after only a few weeks. If you start slowly by doing 20 minutes of exercise 3 times per week and increasing this gradually as time passes, this will keep you motivated, especially when rewards are involved. For example, if you promised yourself to go to the gym twice a week and after a month or so you go to the gym three times a week, reward yourself with a new pair of workout shoes or get a movie or buy tickets for a concert. You can also set daily or weekly goals for yourself. For example, if you want to work out three times per week, your goal could be two days and five additional minutes of exercise per day in the first week. If you do this, all will stay motivated.
4. Know your weight loss goals
Before starting an exercise routine or dieting plan, you should always know your goal. If your goal is too far fetched from where you stand now, then it might seem difficult to achieve. Stay motivated by choosing realistic weight loss goals. For example, your short-term goal may be to lose 10 pounds in the next six months, while your long-term goal may be to lose 50 pounds in the next year. Also, have specific goals for each week or month. For example, goal #1 for this week is to walk up three flights of stairs without getting out of breath, and goal #2 for this week is to drink at least 7 liters of water every day.
5. Make sure that it’s fun
When working out, you should make sure that it’s fun and enjoyable (if possible). Having a good time will help you stay motivated and not give up so easily. You can find friends who are also trying to get into shape and make a competition with them as to who has lost more weight or exercised more hours during the week so that this person will stay motivated and want to exercise more than their friend(s) thus making it more enjoyable. This makes working out less of a chore and more pleasing which helps keep you motivated while losing weight.
The above are five steps you can do to stay motivated while trying to lose weight effectively and efficiently for your efforts not to go unnoticed or wasted. The key is to have a goal, reward yourself, make it fun, and know what you’re doing. If you do all of these things, you can expect to reach ultimate success on your weight loss journey.
