Let's be honest, losing weight can be a very tough task for a lot of people. Due to the difficult nature of dropping weight, many people lose focus early on in the process and tend to give up before seeing any real results.
If you can't seem to put in consistent effort to exercise regularly and eat a nutritious diet, here are some tips to keep your motivation high and help you get fit for real:
Tip #1: Imagine the Future You, and Remember Why You Started
One of the best ways to keep yourself motivated is to visualize the end result. Whenever things start to get hard, try picturing yourself after all of the weight loss. Do you want to look like your favorite professional athlete? Do you simply want to see some definition in your abs? Do you just want to feel healthier? Remember why you wanted to lose weight in the first place and how it will improve your life.
Maybe you were bullied in grade school because you were overweight. As a thinner person, you probably won't go through the same torture since thin individuals rarely get picked on. Maybe you have low self-confidence because you don't think you're attractive. Losing some weight will change your body and make you look and feel like a whole new person.
Maybe you want to become a fitness model or bodybuilder but just have a long way to go. When you win your first amateur contest, all of the sweat and tears will be worth it. No matter what your reasons are, keep them in mind as you endure the pain to reach your ultimate goal.
Tip #2: Find a Healthy Hobby
Many people fail to stay consistent with workouts and diets because they are painful and boring. Feeling sore and achy every other day and eating bland food for every meal is not fun for the majority of those who are trying to slim down. However, losing weight can be a lot more entertaining if you get a little creative.
Sports are some of the healthiest and most effective weight loss activities around. The best part is many people find them to be extremely fun. Some people love team sports because of the competitive aspect, while others simply love to practice a martial art alone or swim solo because it makes them feel good.
There is a huge variety of healthy hobbies for you to choose from, so find what you like and keep doing it because you enjoy it. Doing what you love is the easiest way to lose weight.
Tip #3: Work Out With a Buddy
Having a workout partner can make exercising a much more engaging experience. You will likely feed off of each other's energy, motivating the other person as he or she performs the next set of lifts or lap on the track.
You might also develop a friendly rivalry if both of you have the same general goals. Seeing who can reach the finish line first is a nice way to push yourself and your workout partner every time you step into the gym for a session.
Scheduling a time to work out itself increases your chances of getting to the gym since you won't want to bail out on your partner and vice versa.
How do I know that doing the above will give me more motivation to exercise and eat right?
You don't know if something will work for you unless you actually try it for yourself. With that said, research does support all of the previously mentioned tips as being effective for increasing motivation in individuals who normally give up too soon.
According to Dr. Larry Cheskin of Johns Hopkins Medicine, exercising with a partner "...is a form of accountability, and a good way to remember and carry through on your commitment to enhance your fitness and your health."
In addition to making exercise more entertaining, your friend contributes the "benefit of support, encouragement, and even a little healthy competition." These benefits are enhanced when both partners have the same end goal and participate in a physical activity that both enjoy.
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