Getting Motivated

---

Are You Ready?

Getting motivated to lose weight can be hard, especially if you have tried to lose weight before and have struggled or regained the weight. Losing weight involves changing your eating habits and your physical activity -- two things that can be very hard to do! It may help you to think about how ready you are to make these changes.

Maybe you think that a change would help but you're not ready or interested. You feel the change would be too hard to make. Or, perhaps you're thinking about making a change, but not right away. At this stage, the costs of making the change still outweigh the benefits.

On the other hand, maybe you're ready to make the change and would like to do it soon. You're working on your eating and exercise plans and hope to start in the next month. What do you need to take the final step?

Finding Inspiration

Look at the different stages above and think about which stage you are in. Do you feel that the costs of making a change outweigh the benefits of weight loss? What if you consider that being overweight can cause serious health problems, including diabetes and heart disease? Studies have shown that losing weight by eating right and exercising can help prevent or delay these health problems. Losing weight can also reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke if you already have diabetes.

Your weight affects your lifestyle as well as your health. Ask yourself how being overweight or obese has affected your life. Does being overweight prevent you from doing things that you want to do or could do if you lost weight? Losing weight will help you look and feel better, and give you more energy to do the things you enjoy.

All of these health benefits aside, think of your lifestyle. Do you have children or grandchildren? Are there things you would like to do if you had more energy, felt better about yourself, or were more fit? Sometimes we get motivation from other things when we can't find it in ourselves.

Taking Action

You are most likely to succeed in your weight loss goals if you develop a plan and set realistic goals. Your weight loss goals need to be specific and attainable. This means that they outline exactly what you intend to do and that they are within your reach. For example, a goal of "walk more" is a good idea, but it is not specific. A goal of "run ten miles a day" is specific, but not may not be attainable. A goal of "walk 30 minutes a day, five days a week" is not only specific, but it is also attainable. Learn more about setting your goals.

Rewards

Rewarding yourself for sticking to your weight loss program is a good way to keep yourself motivated. Rewards need to be meaningful and realistic. Focus on giving yourself a reward for each step along the way. For example, reward yourself after sticking to the first week on your diet and exercise regimen. You might buy a new music CD or go to the movies. Bigger rewards, such as tickets to a concert or treating yourself to a vacation or a weekend trip, can be saved for reaching long-term goals.

Related Links

What's next? Take your first step to better health!