How do you keep your motivation to lose weight?

Question

I am, yet again, trying to lose weight. It always seems to go so well for the first bit - I eat healthy, I exercise....but something always happens that causes me to lose my motivation. Tests or some other time consuming activity comes up in my life, I stop exercise, stop watching what I eat. I don't gain weight but I don't lose it either. I'm 22 years old, about 5'5'' and weigh 150lbs. I've never been able to wear a bikini to the lake, I'm so self conscious about my arms that I refuse to go sleeveless or wear capped sleeves. I really want to look and feel better about myself. I also want to lose weight for my wonderful boyfriend. He loves me for me but I want to smoking hot for him. How do I keep up the momentum???

edit: "...I want to look smoking hot..."

I'm also not going to take pills...i'm getting my master's in biomedical science and know they are only bad for you.

Answer 1

What I did when I first started was take pictures of myself without clothes on from all angles. Then I compare them to my new pictures I take every month. Not only does it let you keep track of your progress, but it gives you a clear picture of how much you have changed. This motivates me to want to continue to improve myself in the future and never let myself get how I once was. The good part of this is you will see the results after a few weeks and want to keep pushing yourself further. Good luck!

Answer 2

Think of losing weight as a long term goal, not a quick fix. Make your motivation about your mind-set rather than the results on the scale. The way for you to lose the weight and keep it off it to “stay on the road” so you must think of yourself as an athlete in training. Every athlete knows that some days are good and some not so good, but they never give up. Your motivation must be mental and physical. When you are not losing weight, you are still in the process of becoming fitter – even if you have an off day or week. Recognize that this is a process, and if you do the work – exercise and eat well – the results will come. Just don’t give up!

Answer 3

It cannot be a temporary plan. It has to be a life style change.

And if you get off the plan, just get back on it.

Stop all fast food, unless it is a salad or yogurt and fruit.
Stop all sweets, all white foods,(white bread in any form, white rice, potatoes, pastas) all second servings. If you use a luncheon size plate for all meals, it helps cut down on your portions. If you find ENRICHED in any foods the product is too refined, you want to eat WHOLE GRAIN FOODS.
Stay away from packaged processed foods. In all foods, READ THE LABELS and learn to buy healthy. Fresh fruits and veggies are really good ..

Go to Splenda as a sugar substitute, once you get away from full sugar foods, they will be just excessively sweet.

If you can learn to be a grazer, eating a small amount every two or three hours, you will be full almost continuously. There fore not become starved and overeat. When you start this you may be hungry, but in a few days your stomach will shrink and you will require less food.

In regard to not eating white foods, you can have whole grain breads (Arnolds makes a good 15 grain bread) and whole wheat pasta, (just keep your portions smaller.)

Quitting smoking just requires going cold turkey. Stay away from other smokers and keep none at your house, job or near you.

I chewed nicotine gum and mouth breathed when I wanted to smoke, until the desire was gone You can do it. You will have so much more money and feel so much better.

God Bless and Good Luck.

Answer 4

Eat 5-6 portioned meals. This will help you stay satisfied throughout the day and without plurging at the end of the day. Drink lots of water, cut back on soda and sugary foods, but you don't have to necessarily quit eating them all together. Just don't eat as much. Also, don't skip breakfast. Eating in the morning jumpstarts your metabolism, and thats a good thing when it comes to burning off calories. As for the exercising, try to include at least 20-30 minutes of cardio a day, 5 times a week. If running/jogging/walking doesn't work for you, try a freestyle dancing at home, or jump roping (both very helpful). Biking is also a form of cardio, as well as swimming. Instead of focusing on losing weight, try and focus on getting better at whatever workout you're working on. For instance, if you're running, focus on improving your mile time, or if you're dancing, focus and dancing longer without getting out of breath.

Answer 5

Really need to look at what my wife uses. It's downloads from a company called Independent Achievement and it's for getting full on half portions, and for getting motivated to exercise. It has truly kept her motivated.

Answer 6

Buy a really expensive pair of trousers or a skirt thats a couple of sizes too small for you and work to fit into them. Good luck I know trying to lose weight is hard.xxx

Answer 7

I've lost 5 kilos in my first week. It's my 10th day and I have included salad with some protein (eg. egg/ lean chicken) as you suggested. After 4 years of trying, the fat is finally coming off. It truly feels like magic!

Get started today!

Answer 8

exercise with him... it will keep your mind off that you are trying lose weight at the same time get to know more about your bf. And before you know it, you will be shedding those fat off. Just dont eat junk food or go to fast food places with him.

edit: don't use "sandy b" product, most diet pills are to mess with your metabolism. You will see results in the beginning, but when you are off it, the fat comes back on. It will screw up your metabolism, if you use it.

Answer 9

I do my best to make sure I plan weekend trips that require me to be in a bikini or in a pool about every three to four months. I use it as my reward to myself for hard work in my life and it keeps me mentally sharp in my fitness knowing I have to be in that bikini. So many little mini vacations thru the year can help you enjoy life more, reduce your stress and help you stay on tract.

Answer 10

if you re trying to lose weight with your significant other pack each others lunches the lunchbox surprises will keep the both of you motivated