Weight loss: 3 Tips to stay motivated

There are three parts to weight loss: exercise, healthy eating and your mental outlook. Underestimating the importance of the latter could mean the difference between success and failure ...

One thing that is overlooked often when people embark on a weight-loss journey is their state of mind.

Slipping into a state of self-sabotage is so easy to do: we don’t even realise that we are doing it until it is too late. It is easy to let the pang of disappointment take over, but it can totally derail your progress.

Here are three ways to keep yourself motivated during a slump:

1. Adopt the right attitude

You probably have a lot of reasons why you want to drop a few kilograms, and you probably want to get to your goal soon but, it isn’t always possible to drop a tonne of weight quickly (and healthily), and keep it off.

You can’t let the disappointment of unrealistic goals jeopardise your progress. Understand that you will face hurdles and that you won’t drop as much weight as quickly as you’d like. Knowing this, understanding it and making a positive mind switch will help you deal with the disappointment.

2. Make a list

List the reasons why you want to slim down, along with what will happen if you let yourself and your goals down.

When you write a list, you put your goals out there in a very real way. This also keeps you accountable for sticking to the plan and staying on track.

When you write a list, you put your goals out there in a very real way. This also keeps you accountable for sticking to the plan and staying on track

It also acts as a great refresher for if you do slip a bit too far into a slump: a reminder of why you started this journey and what you stand to lose should you give up on your goals.

3. Reward yourself

When you have been working really hard, it is important that you reward yourself to stay focused and energised for the journey. Spoil yourself with a new dress or spa day with the girls as a small way to celebrate your achievement. When you achieve a goal, you should be proud of the work that went into it and make a big deal of it.

Sometimes, finding the motivation to keep on is as simple as making lists and adopting a positive attitude.

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