Get Motivated to Lose Weight

Now let me share something with you all, becoming discipline to workout takes time and will not happen overnight. There are some days I feel like skipping the gym but I think back to how I used to look and that is something I vowed to myself that I would not do again. This was explained to me by a close friend who was able to share some light on ways to get me motivated.

There are two kinds of motivation (this was new to me) extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation is the inspiration that comes from an external source, outside of you. For example, if your doctor tells you that you need to lose weight, you maybe externally motivated to go on a diet out of fear of poor health. Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, comes from within. If you exercise because of the sense of accomplishment you achieve at the end of the workout your source of motivation is intrinsic. So in other words, if you choose a healthy snack because it makes you feel better about yourself, you are internally motivated. Make sense??

People often begin an exercise or weight loss program for external reasons: their clothes don't fit, their doctor has told them they need to lose weight, family and friends have put pressure on them to slim down. Extrinsic motivation can also be helpful when you need a gentle nudge to achieve short-term goals. For example, you might know that exercise is good for you, you may even know that you'll feel better after you complete a workout, but on some days you might still struggle to get to the gym. On those days, promise yourself a healthy reward. ( I do this all the time and it works!!) 

A few pointers for internal motivation:

* Set short-term goals. Set yourself up for success by setting very short-term achievable goals. Your long-term goal might be to lose 30 pounds, but a good short-term goal might be to eat a lean healthy breakfast each day during the week. If a weekly goal seems too broad, set a goal for just one day to start out with. 

* Keep a journal. Write out each goal in a journal. At the end of the day, comment on the day's success. Keep in mind that just taking the time to write in your journal is healthy and an accomplishment in itself. 

* Acknowledge your success. Take time to review your successes and give yourself credit.

Remember as you move through the process of fostering internal motivation, you'll find that your confidence in y our own abilities will increase.When you acknowledge the success of small accomplishments, it becomes easier to believe that larger goals are attainable. You begin to believe in yourself and in your ability to change your health by changing your weight.

~Wendy