How to stay motivated when your weight loss and healthy eating resolve starts flagging

Posted by Tina Elliot on October 29, 2007 9:54 PM PDT

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1. Maintain a weekly progress log to track your weight loss success. Nothing is more motivating than seeing your progress over time.

2. Set up a reward system, Buy yourself a small gift when you achieve a pre-determined weight goal.

3. Identify family members or friends who will be your cheerleaders or even better, who will work your plan with you.

4. Avoid people and haunts that may encourage your old ways. You know where and who I’m talking about!

5. Select one day a week to be super good on your program. It will allow your weight loss to continue even when the inevitable relapse occurs.

Even when we are doing our best to eat healthy and stay on our weight loss path, sometimes our motivation will wan. Actively engaging in all 5 tips can help you get back on track or stay the course.

Tina Elliot, MBA, PCC
Personal Life, Weigh Loss and Wellness Coach

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2 Comments

Hi Tina,
For the past 6 weeks, I've had two viruses back to back. In my effort to listen to my body's needs, I started to choose to allow my body to rest rather than being as rigorous as I usually am about my normally non-negotiable morning routines, which include movement. As I opted to stay in bed, I noticed that when I did get up (late!) I was skipping all of my morning routines. Then I noticed that I was being just a little less mindful about my eating. Then feeling a little depressed. Then losing some of my usual strong intention. Fortunately I've cultivated a practice of awareness, so am catching this early.
What's working for me, while still experiencing viral symptoms is to come back to what I know works, even if its later in the morning. And to not forego all my practices just because I'm choosing to take a break from working out to support my body in getting healthy again.

How about you? Can you share a time when your personal motivation has flagged and how you used these to support yourself?

Posted by Sharon Rich on November 22, 2007 9:04 AM PST

Hi Sharon:

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think you hit the nail on the head – awareness and staying mindful of what works for you. I have found that knowing your own body, reading its messages and staying aware is the key to knowing what’s best for you. Sounds like complete downtime was not the best choice for you and your personal awareness brought you back to what you needed to feel your best.

There are numerous times when my motivation has flagged. Life happens and sometimes I need to stop and ask myself a few questions. I typically find by getting quiet, listening to my gut and heeding its knowledge I know what I really need to do.

Instead of beating myself up for faltering (which is what I did in the past),
I select a positive step from this list. They help me re-center myself and get back on track. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of picking up the phone and having a conversation with a supportive family member or friend to remind me why my weight loss is important and envision my end result – a healthy energized body!

Does envisioning help you stay on track with your weight loss goals?

Tina Elliot, MBA, PCC
Personal Life, Weigh Loss and Wellness Coach