When we first set out on our weight loss journey everything is all very exciting and we are filled with what seems to be an endless supply of motivation. However, after 2 - 3 weeks our motivation can often decrease and start to waiver. Don't worry, this is completely normal and very common! Even the most successful Personal Trainers experience this problem because at the end of the day we are all human beings. So to help keep your motivation levels humming along smoothly throughout the course of your weight loss journey, here are 3 simple tips that I personally use!
#1: SMALL GOALS TO REACH THE BIG GOAL
If you start your weight loss journey with only your long-term goal in mind this is a good method to rapidly drain your motivation fuel tank dry within 3 - 4 weeks. This approach can make you feel like your goal is just so far away and that all of your efforts are not paying off quick enough. Instead, you should try to set weekly short-term goals. This way you will be achieving something every week and you will be able to sustain your progress over the long-term!
#2: DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
Do not compare your body or progress to Fitness Models, Bodybuilders, Celebrities etc, this will only destroy your self-esteem and confidence. Furthermore, many fitness models and bodybuilders, both male and female are on steroids even though they may claim to be natural. So don't be so naive and think you can get a perfectly chiseled, sculpted and shredded body in 3 months naturally! Instead, visualise the best version of your own body, commit it to memory and use that as your inspiration. This will allow you to feel fantastic about your own body every day and when you reach your big long-term goal you will be much more satisfied when you get there!
#3: EMBRACE CHEAT DAYS!
Even if you are a professional athlete, you still need to have one day per week where you allow yourself to have a break from your diet and eat/drink whatever you like, e.g. pizza, burgers, cake etc. You don't need to go overboard and gorge, but you do need to allow yourself to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, e.g. going out for a meal with friends and eating whatever you like, enjoying a few glasses of alcohol etc. If you allow yourself to have one cheat day per week, your motivation will be far less likely to waiver. You will also be much happier and will not feel bound or restricted by your diet!
Pursuing your big long-term goal like a bull out of a gate and trying to achieve too much too soon will only leave you disappointed and frustrated. When you begin your weight loss journey, make sure that you have small, weekly short-term goals in place for yourself. This will ultimately carry you through to meet your big long-term goal. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!
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