Ways to stay motivated!!!!
I am still struggling a bit. Still trying to find that focus again…focus, focus. I’ll grab it..hold on to it..and then let it slip away…and it’s damn hard to get back.
Anyways, in an attempt to get back, I thought I’d share some motivation tips that I have found for myself and borrow a bit from ‘The Office Diet’ as well.
These are borrowed from “10 ways to stay motivated about your diet”
1. Give yourself a break
try taking a weekend off your diet instead. Don’t go completely mad, but eat whatever you fancy, and stop once you’re full. A couple of days of not dieting won’t make much difference to your long-term weight loss … but it could well save your diet.
2. Look at how far you’ve come
One of my tricks is to have a before and after blog of pictures. When I tell people how much weight I’ve lost they are always amazed and usually say ‘I can’t imagine what you used to look like.’ Then I say oh I have a blog..wanna look? It helps to keep me motivated.
Keep a pair of pants/shirt that was in your original wardrobe
Make a paper link chain of the lbs/kgs that you’ve lost and keep it somewhere
3. Pick a challenge, target or deadline
Some people (myself included!) find it hard to get motivated without some sort of challenge, deadline or competition.
I am setting a fitness challenge of running a 12k race in about 3 weeks..yikes!
4. Hire a coach or personal trainer
Many personal trainers or coaches will offer a free “taster” session so you can see if you get on well with their style. A good trainer or coach is expensive, but the occasional session (maybe once a month) can be a great boost to your motivation.
It’s worth every single penny that you spend on them.
5. Read some great quotes
6. Talk or write about your feelings
I AM A VERBAL PROCESSOR (Aren’t most females?). However, I got chastised at work: ‘you need a hobby, all you ever talk about is diet and exercise. You need to be more well-rounded’ is what I was told point-blank….perhaps they are right. However, I learned that not everyone wants to hear about my wows, my struggles, thoughts, etc. That’s why I love to blog. I can get it out..if you don’t want to read it, fine…if you’re inspired..even better.
7. Treat yourself to something nice
When you’ve worked hard, it’s good to reward yourself. How about buying a novel by one of your favourite authors, enjoying a long soak in the bath, going to the cinema, or buying some new clothes to show off your improved figure?
I think the thing that I’ve done in the past is reward myself with ‘food’ rewards.
If I don’t binge this week, then I can have ice cream next Tuesday.
Not any more. I think it’s very IMPORTANT not to reward yourself with ‘food’ related things.
See they maybe silly to some people..but the most important thing is that it’s something that you value. Eye brow wax, new wrench, new ipod..I don’t care..do what works for you.
8. Try a couple of naturally low-fat foods you don’t usually eat
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with your diet, but it’s not a good idea to survive on the same breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.
9. Have a go at a new exercise or sport
Trying out a couple of difference machines in the gym (get one of the staff to demonstrate first), or having a go at a new class, can be all you need to get enthused about exercise again.
This is a TYPE A, perfectionist, tell YOU to try something new.
Yeah it maybe a bit scary at first…uncoordinated, don’t know the rules, etc. HOWEVER, it’s important. I have recently started a running group and playing volleyball. The first game of volleyball I was shocking…but then I got the rules and have improved.
Many times, I do believe, that we hold onto our weight is actually a protective measure for insecurities that we all have, or being afraid of what it would be like out of our ‘comfort zones’. Push them!
10. Subscribe to blogs which you enjoy, so you get frequent updates
Have any tips, tricks, that have worked for you?
Any rewards/goals that you’ve outlined for yourself?
