Did you know that it is your weight loss motivation that is the
main thing that keeps you from dropping 10, 20 or 50 pounds, or even
more? You heard right; it's not so much the food you're eating and nor
is it the lack of exercise. Without the proper motivation to lose weight
you will, like as not, be unable, to find the personal fortitude and
will power, to achieve your diet program goals. As far as providing more
tips on losing weight goes this article focuses on the importance of
developing your weight loss motivation, for if you can master this, your
success at shedding those pounds and keeping the weight off is as good
as guaranteed.
Firstly you need to get clear about what is meant by your 'diet inspiration' is. In other words what is is that will help to propel you to eat less food and start that calorie zapping exercise regime. The plain fact is that without the inspiration to both reduce your current calorie intake and boost your energy usage, it is unlikely that you'll make sufficient progress towards your diet goals to maintain your weight loss motivation. But what factors might help to put you into an inspired frame of mind?
Primarily you can actually begin to inspire yourself by focusing on the benefits you will realize from losing weight. Don't be fooled into thinking this is an easy or trite question. For example, if you have kids, losing weight will mean that you will have more energy and regain much of your own youthful mental clarity and sharpness to be able to keep up with them in all department. You should also recognize that it is actually a responsibility that you have to your children and your partner (if you have one, or want one) to keep yourself healthy and improve the chances you will be around for as long as you can. So losing weight is not just for your own benefit but can have some real motivating benefits for your family too.
Perhaps you are saying: "...this doesn't apply to me, I don't have kids", and maybe "I don't even have a partner". But before you reach for the biscuits and further compound your sorrows this could, in fact, well be part of your whole initial weight gain issue. It is important to look ahead and see what you really want the future to bring. Even if it seems a world away, or hard to imagine, you need to overcome any 'reticence' and clarify the things that you want out of life without shame or reservation.
If having a family is part of your future goals, even if not yet a reality, then the need for responsibility for your health is still absolutely paramount.
But let's take a look at what you will gain by losing those pounds that may be as much of a weight on your mind as they are a body.
It is a real kick-starter to get clearly planted in your mind an image of how you will look 20 to 50 pounds lighter. Just imagine yourself with that sexier, firmer, healthier looking body. Imagine your waist clearly defined, again, and slimmed down by 4 inches or more. See, in your mind's eye, as clearly as you can, your belt confidently cinched in and accenting your attractive bosom, or of course, those broad shoulders if you're a man. Don't be afraid of creating as clear an image as possible. It has been shown that clearly seeing what you want to achieve is central to maintain motivation. The woollier and vaguer your goals and vision the less likely you will be to sustain the weight loss motivation you require.
Now, imagine the day (not that very far away) when you go out to the 'dumpster' and fling away those oversize clothes - or if you are 'eco-minded' then see yourself donating them to a charitable concern for the benefit of another who has not conquered their motivational demons! If your weight-loss problems have piled on gradually over the years, then think back to the last time you were truly happy with your figure and imagine yourself slipping into a pair of jeans or slacks that fit you back then. Feel yourself brimming with the confidence that you will have when you can don your beachwear and relish the admiring glances rather than fear the look of others. It can all become a reality if you can maintain the motivation to lose weight that purposeful and deliberate 'envisioning' can provide.
But, once you have pumped up your weight loss motivation how do you keep it there day to day during the 'slings and arrows' of sticking to a diet program and fitness regime? For a start it IS important to be realistic about achieving your goals. Many folks look for ways of losing weight fast, but trying to losing weight quickly is ultimately a road to misery and defeat. No matter what some 'fad diets' and weight loss pills, patches and other such "scams" seem to offer it is neither realistic nor healthy to imagine losing more than about one to two pounds a week. True some weeks you could see a drop of 3 or 4 pounds, but on another week it may be ounces or even a little step backwards! Realistically over each month that you follow your fitness and diet program around one-and-a half pounds a week average, or even a little less, is a sensible target. Do not be put off by this, as losing weight more quickly will be hard to keep-off, plus if you get the exercise and diet balance right you'll also see your body firming-up as you slim-down, rather than becoming a mass of loose skin!
So, it is realistic to think in terms of losing, say, 20 odd pounds of weight over about six months and maybe 50 pounds of excess weight sensibly and steadily over the course of about a year. The concept of losing weight fast that may have been gradually gained over many years is not only foolhardy, it may well be unhealthy, and likely to be unachievable and so ultimately 'de-motivating'. So one of the best tips on losing weight is, to reiterate, be sure to set realistic targets and you'll get long-term results, plus maintained weight loss motivation!
It is fair to say that defining and understanding weight loss motivation is critical to achieving successful long-term weight loss. Being realistic, adopting a healthy, steady, dietary strategy combined with a manageable exercise regime is one part of the equation. The other key element is about deriving inspiration and motivation from accepting how your weight loss will benefits those you care about, and also from clearly envisioning the 'new you' in as minute detail as possible in order to focus your mind, bolster your belief and ensure your ultimate success.
Firstly you need to get clear about what is meant by your 'diet inspiration' is. In other words what is is that will help to propel you to eat less food and start that calorie zapping exercise regime. The plain fact is that without the inspiration to both reduce your current calorie intake and boost your energy usage, it is unlikely that you'll make sufficient progress towards your diet goals to maintain your weight loss motivation. But what factors might help to put you into an inspired frame of mind?
Primarily you can actually begin to inspire yourself by focusing on the benefits you will realize from losing weight. Don't be fooled into thinking this is an easy or trite question. For example, if you have kids, losing weight will mean that you will have more energy and regain much of your own youthful mental clarity and sharpness to be able to keep up with them in all department. You should also recognize that it is actually a responsibility that you have to your children and your partner (if you have one, or want one) to keep yourself healthy and improve the chances you will be around for as long as you can. So losing weight is not just for your own benefit but can have some real motivating benefits for your family too.
Perhaps you are saying: "...this doesn't apply to me, I don't have kids", and maybe "I don't even have a partner". But before you reach for the biscuits and further compound your sorrows this could, in fact, well be part of your whole initial weight gain issue. It is important to look ahead and see what you really want the future to bring. Even if it seems a world away, or hard to imagine, you need to overcome any 'reticence' and clarify the things that you want out of life without shame or reservation.
If having a family is part of your future goals, even if not yet a reality, then the need for responsibility for your health is still absolutely paramount.
But let's take a look at what you will gain by losing those pounds that may be as much of a weight on your mind as they are a body.
It is a real kick-starter to get clearly planted in your mind an image of how you will look 20 to 50 pounds lighter. Just imagine yourself with that sexier, firmer, healthier looking body. Imagine your waist clearly defined, again, and slimmed down by 4 inches or more. See, in your mind's eye, as clearly as you can, your belt confidently cinched in and accenting your attractive bosom, or of course, those broad shoulders if you're a man. Don't be afraid of creating as clear an image as possible. It has been shown that clearly seeing what you want to achieve is central to maintain motivation. The woollier and vaguer your goals and vision the less likely you will be to sustain the weight loss motivation you require.
Now, imagine the day (not that very far away) when you go out to the 'dumpster' and fling away those oversize clothes - or if you are 'eco-minded' then see yourself donating them to a charitable concern for the benefit of another who has not conquered their motivational demons! If your weight-loss problems have piled on gradually over the years, then think back to the last time you were truly happy with your figure and imagine yourself slipping into a pair of jeans or slacks that fit you back then. Feel yourself brimming with the confidence that you will have when you can don your beachwear and relish the admiring glances rather than fear the look of others. It can all become a reality if you can maintain the motivation to lose weight that purposeful and deliberate 'envisioning' can provide.
But, once you have pumped up your weight loss motivation how do you keep it there day to day during the 'slings and arrows' of sticking to a diet program and fitness regime? For a start it IS important to be realistic about achieving your goals. Many folks look for ways of losing weight fast, but trying to losing weight quickly is ultimately a road to misery and defeat. No matter what some 'fad diets' and weight loss pills, patches and other such "scams" seem to offer it is neither realistic nor healthy to imagine losing more than about one to two pounds a week. True some weeks you could see a drop of 3 or 4 pounds, but on another week it may be ounces or even a little step backwards! Realistically over each month that you follow your fitness and diet program around one-and-a half pounds a week average, or even a little less, is a sensible target. Do not be put off by this, as losing weight more quickly will be hard to keep-off, plus if you get the exercise and diet balance right you'll also see your body firming-up as you slim-down, rather than becoming a mass of loose skin!
So, it is realistic to think in terms of losing, say, 20 odd pounds of weight over about six months and maybe 50 pounds of excess weight sensibly and steadily over the course of about a year. The concept of losing weight fast that may have been gradually gained over many years is not only foolhardy, it may well be unhealthy, and likely to be unachievable and so ultimately 'de-motivating'. So one of the best tips on losing weight is, to reiterate, be sure to set realistic targets and you'll get long-term results, plus maintained weight loss motivation!
It is fair to say that defining and understanding weight loss motivation is critical to achieving successful long-term weight loss. Being realistic, adopting a healthy, steady, dietary strategy combined with a manageable exercise regime is one part of the equation. The other key element is about deriving inspiration and motivation from accepting how your weight loss will benefits those you care about, and also from clearly envisioning the 'new you' in as minute detail as possible in order to focus your mind, bolster your belief and ensure your ultimate success.
More tips on losing weight, dietary advice and the latest weight
loss program reviews from author and Dieting Coach Phil Ian Goode at http://www.DietingCoach.org
-- If you are trying to lose a few pounds, and become fitter and
healthier, be sure to call by and grab the complimentary of the "Dieting
Coach 7-part weight loss course" for more help in getting your own weight loss motivation off to a great start.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Phil_Ian_Goode/219309
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