21 Guaranteed Ways to Motivate Yourself To Lose Weight

08/07/2007

One of the most common things I hear about weight loss is that people really, really want to lose weight and I know they are sincere – heavens I have been there so many times myself before, but they just can’t seem to motivate themselves. It is like so many other things in life, if you can just get to take that first step, the rest seems to take care of itself. In my wishes for you to lose weight and live life as a healthy, fit and confident person I hope that one or more of these 11 motivating points will help you take that first action in the direction of the NEW YOU. I trust they will put a smile on your face too. If you cannot laugh at yourself, you are in for a tough, self-judgmental and guilt ridden journey. There is no need for that. You are human and you have made some mistakes, but you can smile, laugh at yourself and try something new that will set you on the road to being successful this time – for good. 

1.  Weigh yourself. 
2. Take out a thin photograph and pin it in a place you cannot avoid. 
3. Try on an item of clothing you used to wear a year ago. 
4. Close the bathroom door, stand in your underwear and take a photograph of yourself in the mirror. (For your eyes only) 
5. Read an inspiring book of someone who has lost weight or overcome a major obstacle in their life. 
6. Join a gym. 
7. Sign up at a local support group. 
8. Visualize the way you want to be – FEEL what it feels like to be that person. 
9. Declare your weight loss plans to someone out loud. 
10. Ask a buddy to join you in your weight loss effort- you can help each other. 
11. Stop thinking about it and do it. Are you a “talker” or a “doer”? Think about someone who always talks about what he / she is going to do, but never does. Do you want that to be you? 
12. A promised vacation or gift for when you reach your goal weight. Make this a unique, special and expensive celebration –something you have wanted for a long, long time. 
13. Imagine what it would feel like if you stuck to your weight loss plan for one week and then got on the scale. 
14. Go out for a brisk walk today or this evening and identify how that makes you feel. More motivated, energetic and inspired maybe? 
15. Clean out your kitchen closet and the fridge. Get rid of all the foods that have been sabotaging your success and take note of what this does to your mood. 
16. Go and listen to a motivational speaker or author. You will be amazed at what this might do to motivate you into living the kind of life you are meant to be living. 
17. Identify your obstacles to losing weight. Ask yourself if this is really true or are perceived obstacles? 
18. If you have a real obstacle, ask yourself this question: “What first step I can I take to overcome this hurdle?” Then, do it. 
19. Speak to someone who was very overweight and find out what they did to lose weight. 
20. Rent an inspiring and motivating movie – some of my favorites are “Jerry McGuire, Braveheart, Dead Poets Society, Rudy, Patch Adams, Forrest Gump, What Dreams May Come, Mr. Holland’s Opus and Pay it Forward really inspire me to want to achieve my goals.
21. Last, but definitely not least, if you have not yet watched the movie “The Secret”, do so. You can watch it for $4.95 on your computer. Go to www.thesecret.com