Think about it, what is the most challenging thing when it comes to losing weight? Is it difficult exercises? What about finding time to squeeze in a workout during the day? Whilst both can be considered hurdles that are in the way of your weight loss goals, most people would agree that the real challenge is finding the motivation to actually get started. Weight loss is as much a mental thing as it is a physical one and in order to really achieve any goals you have set for yourself, practicing a balance of both is key!
Yes, it needs to be both. Simply cutting down on the amount of food you eat will not be enough to maintain your weight loss nor will it sustain a healthy lifestyle. So, where do you begin? Internally. Take a look at all the bad lifestyle habits that might be hindering your progress and start weeding them out. Make note of the following:
• The kind of food you consume on a daily basis and why you always opt for it. Are there better, healthier alternatives available?
• Do you have a tendency to stress eat? If so, finding other outlets for this would not only help you lose weight, it would also provide you with a better way of dealing with your feelings.
• What’s keeping you from exercising every day? Having no time isn’t a valid excuse anymore as there are plenty of simple exercises that you can do which are effective, but only take a small fraction of your time. Walking instead of taking your car everywhere counts. Jogging for half an hour during the morning or after work also counts. It’s all about the small things that you do with consistency.
Now, let’s talk about keeping the motivation up. This tends to be the most challenging, after all. Trying to lose weight can be a frustrating process especially if you’re expecting instant results. There are no shortcuts to this, at least none that wouldn’t significantly damage your body and overall health. So what can you do? THINK POSITIVELY. Easier said than done, right? To help you stay in a motivated and enthusiastic state, here are more mental exercises you can try:
• Visualize your weight goals, but start small. Think of yourself living it. How different is it from now? Once you have a clear idea of what you want, start planning or reevaluating the plans you already have. Can it be better? There’s always room for improvement! Simplify and change what no longer works. Starting fresh keeps things from becoming routine.
• Keep a journal or some way to track your progress. Seeing just how much you have achieved always helps with boosting your confidence.
• Work with a friend and be each other’s support. Having someone around you who understands the struggle will help during rough patches.
• Make sure you reward yourself! A pat on the back for all the hard work you’ve done and the results you have achieved is always nice. Get yourself some new clothes for your new fit body, buy that purse you’ve been eyeing, take a holiday or indulge in a cheat meal! The important thing is that it boosts your motivation and keeps you on track.
So there you have it! Some simple mental exercises you can try in order to further push yourself and achieve the weight goals you have set for yourself. Good luck!
