Keep Losing Weight – 4 Tips To Keep You On The Straight And Narrow!

Losing weight is a tough row to hoe.  Look at all the things you must battle: hunger, genetics, lifestyle . . . and sometimes, the shame of your gut hanging out when you’re at the gym with all those hardbodies.  Given all these obstacles, isn’t it true that the idea of giving up suddenly becomes reasonable?  Don’t give in, though – check out these tips and keep your motivation pumped!

Make the New You More Real by Seeing It!

Lots of us were in great shape when we were younger – in high school, say, or in college. Is that your case?  If that describes you, excellent!  Find some old pictures of yourself and use them for inspiration.  Look at yourself – remember the feeling that came from having a trim, fit body that responded quickly to every demand you placed on it?

Don’t feel bad if this isn’t you, because you can still visualize your new body.  Don’t rush through this exercise – take the time to really see all of your new body.  You know how important it is to have goals and deadlines, but keep them reasonable.  If you set a goal of losing five to ten pounds a month, and can stick to it, that’s a good determination.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

You’ll feel the depth of your commitment a little more if you have some “skin in the game.”  Buy yourself a nice article of clothing, pants perhaps, in the size you want to achieve and hang it where you’ll see it every day – like right there in your bedroom.  Nobody enjoys wasting money, and so these pants, or whatever they are, will be a constant reminder to you of your goal.  Many people get a lot of mileage out of this particular motivational tip.

If You Want Something Done Right, Sometimes You Need To Get A Little Help . . .

If you go to the gym to work out on your own, are you more likely to work out, or to spend the afternoon watching sports on the big screen televisions? If you have a buddy you regularly work out with, though, who depends on you for support the way you depend on him, it’s not nearly so easy to skip the workout, is it?  You’ll go to the gym and spot your partner and he’ll spot you, and you’ll probably compete a bit in your workouts – and neither one of you is willing to let the other down or appear lazy.

Setting up an accountability friendship is another approach you might take.  Every day, at the end of the day, shoot off a quick email to your accountability friend listing everything you ate that day.  Temptation can be resisted, but this is a simple and effective way to reinforce your willpower.

Accountability is a powerful motivator, and you’ll find this to be one of the most effective tips you’ll ever encounter.

Achievement Must be Recognized!

Perhaps you regret that you’ve gotten so out of shape. I understand.  That doesn’t mean you have to be miserable all the time you’re on your weight loss plan. If you’ve achieved or exceeded your goals this week, for instance, reward yourself!  You can have a special dessert to mark the occasion.

We grow up equating food with all sorts of good things – if you cut yourself off from the little rewards and treats, you’ll feel like you’re cutting yourself off from all the good things in life as well. Some people who stick to a rigid plan without rewards will actually sabotage themselves.  A little goodie now and then, taken as a reward for successfully completing another week of your weight loss program, will go a long way toward helping to keep your cravings and frustration under control.

You’ll have an easier time achieving your weight loss goals if you make use of these motivating tips.  Never forget, though, that if you should happen to slip up, it’s not the end of the world.  As the song says, “Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!”