| You've decided it's time to take off those extra | | | | Maybe you don't want to give up the sugary treats |
| pounds. It doesn't really matter how they got there, or | | | | and get on the treadmill. But it is a simple fact that slim |
| why you want them gone now. It's just time. Most | | | | people are slim because they get more exercise and |
| people make the commitment to lose weight twice a | | | | eat healthier. Emulate those good slim habits. |
| year, once around the New Year, and again as | | | | Joining a weight loss group. |
| summer approaches. Most people are not successful. | | | | Joining a weight loss group is a fantastic way to get |
| Why? Because they lack weight loss motivation. It is | | | | plenty of weight loss inspiration. You can share |
| nearly impossible to lose weight or accomplish any big | | | | triumphs and you can also give each other moral |
| goal, without proper and on-going motivation. | | | | support. You will hear of other's weight loss successes |
| So, where does weight loss motivation come from? | | | | and gain inspiration from them. Weight loss groups can |
| First and foremost, it must come from within. Deciding | | | | be the kind where you attend regular meetings or they |
| to lose weight because your partner wants you to, or | | | | can be virtual groups that you join online. |
| because you want to look like Beyonce or Matthew | | | | Join a gym. |
| McConaughey is fine, except it probably won't work | | | | For some, spending the money on a gym membership |
| too well. Your weight loss motivation must start with | | | | is enough motivation to go and workout on a regular |
| you. Your reason for losing weight must be that you | | | | basis. If you want to join a gym, make sure you make |
| sincerely want to do this for yourself. Once you've | | | | use of the membership. Cardio and strength training |
| established this, you need to add healthy motivators to | | | | are one of the best ways to lose weight and get in |
| your arsenal. | | | | great shape. Besides, you can see others at all levels |
| Here are some ways to find motivation and inspiration: | | | | of fitness at the gym from beginner to advanced. It's |
| Make your weight loss goals attainable. | | | | inspiring to see all those other people working to |
| If you need to lose 100 lbs, you are not going to do it in | | | | accomplish the same goals that you have. |
| a month, regardless of what the infomercials tell you. | | | | Other ways to stay inspired and motivated. |
| But if your goal is to lose 8 to 10 lbs a month resulting | | | | Other ways to keep yourself inspired and motivated |
| in losing the whole 100 lbs in about a year, that's very | | | | might include having a friend to exercise with so that |
| realistic and you will find it much easier to attain weight | | | | when one of you is feeling lazy, the other can be the |
| loss success. | | | | motivator. You can also place photos of yourself |
| Use visualization as a tool. | | | | when you were slim where you can see them every |
| Visualization is a wonderful inspirational tool that can | | | | day. If you were never slim, find a nice photo of |
| help you achieve any type of goal, not just weight loss. | | | | someone who is and put it on the refrigerator or in |
| Every day when you wake up, take time to close your | | | | another conspicuous spot. Other ways to |
| eyes and create a mental image of yourself as you | | | | self-motivate could be to keep a journal of how you |
| lose weight. How will you look in one month? How will | | | | are feeling, what you are eating, and what kinds of |
| you look in six months? In a year? Take time to see all | | | | exercise you've done each day. Make sure that when |
| the details. The size tags on your clothes, the bathing | | | | you accomplish a goal, whether it's one pound or one |
| suit you will be able to wear, and the tailored suit or | | | | jeans size that you give yourself the credit you |
| fitted dress. You can do this by writing the details in a | | | | deserve for sticking to it. |
| journal as well. | | | | The process of losing weight can be an inspiring |
| Adopt the healthy habits of people who are at the | | | | experience when you see that you have the power to |
| weight and fitness level you admire (within reason of | | | | creatively find motivation and change your life. Once |
| course). | | | | you decide that you want to lose weight for your own |
| Matthew McConaughey and Beyonce probably each | | | | sake, you're on the right path. Remember that weight |
| workout for several hours every week. That may not | | | | loss inspiration and motivation begins with you. Find the |
| be realistic for you. But you can still increase your | | | | techniques that work best for you, and remember to |
| exercise and employ eating habits that are healthy. | | | | honor your successes. Good luck! |