Getting That Elusive Motivation to Lose Weight

Many people find that they have motivation to lose weight - every time they stand in front of the mirror naked, that is. However, this motivation seems to elude them when they're driving by that fast food restaurant or are tempted with a decadent dessert.

And many find that they can start a weight loss plan and follow it for a few days or weeks, and then fall right back into their old habits. How is it then that you can get and keep that motivation to lose weight, not just for a day or two, but for a lifetime? There are a few key points that we can cover here.

One of the reasons that standing in front of your mirror is not permanent motivation to lose weight is because that image you see is fleeting. As soon as you put on some clothes and go sit behind your desk or in front of your television, that picture of your belly and arms and backside is out of your mind. You're no longer concentrating on what you look like, so you don't feel the need to make changes. So when it comes to long-term motivation to lose weight, you need to find something that's more permanent and that will stick in your mind for longer than a minute or so.

It's good to ask yourself about your own personal reasons to lose weight. We all want to look good, but does it go deeper than that? Are you concerned about your health? Do you have a history of diabetes in your family, or do you have the condition already? Your own personal motivation to lose weight is just that - personal. You need to keep your specific reasons close in mind all the time.

It helps to actually write out your list of reasons, and to be specific when you do. You can make this up on the computer or use a sheet of notebook paper. Don't just write "I want to look good," but add details. Write that you want to have a flat stomach or that you really like the look of toned arms. Your motivation to lose weight is going to work much better if you have specific things in mind that you can work on step by step.

The reason that you want to write out this list is because you need to keep it with you every minute of the day, and use it to help rediscover that motivation to lose weight when you're tempted to indulge. You can put it in a pocket or your wallet, and make it a habit to pull it out and review it periodically, but especially during difficult times. If you have a tendency to indulge at lunch with fast food, for example, make a habit of looking at that list every day about ten minutes before you leave for lunch. By reviewing this list often and really visualizing those reasons why you need to lose weight, you will find that it gives you that elusive motivation to lose weight for the long run.