How to Motivate Yourself to Start Losing Weight

We all know that eating and, most importantly sticking to,  a nutritious diet can help you lose weight. But it also has many benefits, such as boosting your mood and reducing your risk of various diseases. Despite all these benefits, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can still prove to be challenging.

Have you ever wondered why most people choose January to make specific changes in their lives or commit to a certain way of life? Granted, it is the beginning of a new year, but it is also an arbitrary point in their lives that makes them more motivated to do away with our past failures and get things done the right way.

It is time to contrive a fresh start by disconnecting yourself from past letdowns and begin to promote a big-picture view of your life. You will find it more believable than you think. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Set realistic expectations - If you habitually set your expectations extremely low, you won’t really put that much effort into your weight loss process. It can either be a defense mechanism used to protect yourself against any possible pain or because you set yourself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy of little fruition.
   
   
   
   There is also the risk of reality crashing down on you, hard if you set your expectations too high and by doing so, it could potentially make you doubtful and continually result in you having a negative attitude toward weight loss.
   
   
   
   Rather than choosing either end of the spectrum, do the best you can right now by being reasonable: develop a simple system of exercise and nutrition, stick to it for a while and see what happens.
   
    
2. Write and define your weight loss goals - A healthy diet and exercise plan is essential, but not enough. Motivation is mental, and your body will follow. Therefore, be candid and ask yourself why you really want to lose weight. Because you can have the perfect workout regimen and nutrition plan, but without the mental part, reaching your weight loss goals can be that much tougher.
   
    
3. Start having a healthy relationship with food - Your body has clear cues that let you know when to eat and when to stop eating. Start exercising mindful eating. Take the time to appreciate your meal by looking, tasting, smelling, and chewing it slowly. In time, your brain will send signals to your body that it’s satisfied and you will be less likely to overindulge.
   
    
4. Have a variety of goals - Having short and long-term goals can have a number of benefits. They give you purpose, provide motivation, and targeting a goal encourages you. It also gives you a real sense of personal satisfaction upon achievement.
   
    
5. Avoid “fad” diets – Instead, go for a weight loss plan that fits you, doesn’t completely eliminate certain foods, and is easy to adhere to.