Losing weight and taking control of your health are admirable goals and staying inspired along the way is possible when you try these tips. Read on for inspirational strategies to set yourself up for success.
Map Out Your “Why”
Setting goals is an excellent way to start your weight loss journey. Before choosing specific numbers and measurements, however, it is important to have a very clear picture of why you want to lose weight in the first place. When the going gets tough, being able to dig deep and remember your “why” will help you overcome your obstacles. For many people, fitting into that dress or wanting to look great on that vacation are the initial reasons for wanting to lose weight, but try to find your more personal and meaningful reasons for making a lifestyle change. Do you want to be healthy and set a good example for your family? Do you want to have good health as you age? Are you worried about missing out on fun aspects of life due to physical limitations? Do you feel happier when your body is healthy? Do you have more energy for your passions when you’re taking care of yourself? Finding your “why” will help guide you through every step of the weight loss process.
Set Process Goals
In addition to setting goals for pounds or inches lost, be sure to set process goals that you can achieve each week. Small goals help achieve the big, long-term goals. Even if you have a week where the scale won’t budge and you feel frustrated, being able to hit goals that you can more closely control will help keep you on track. You can set goals to hit a certain number of workouts that week, drink a certain number of ounces of water each day, or get a certain number of steps during the day or week. Reaching your process goals will help keep you motivated to keep working towards your weight loss goals.
Stay Accountable
A huge way to stay inspired to work hard and lose weight is to make yourself accountable to others. You can start a group text with family members who will cheer you on, create a social media account to track your progress, sign up for a support group where you report your progress to someone, or sign up for exercise classes with a friend who will be disappointed if you bail. Lastly, research apps for your phone. There are plenty of apps to help you be accountable for workouts, nutrition and offer a support system. By setting things up so you are accountable to others, you will work towards your goals even if your own motivation declines.
Don’t Let Setbacks Make You Quit
If you get tired one evening and don’t brush your teeth, do you throw in the towel and never brush your teeth again? Of course not. You wake up in the morning and brush your teeth. Approach weight loss the same way. Setbacks will happen, but they don’t have to derail you completely! The key is to listen to your body and move on even if you have a bad day here or there.
Tap into the Right Resources
Many people make the mistake of thinking they have to travel on their weight loss journey alone. Instead, you can tap into the many resources available that will help you overcome any obstacles in your path. For example, if having your kids with you gets in the way of fitting in your workouts, finding a fitness club with childcare can help you reach your exercise goals. If you find that you always quit your workouts early when you attempt them alone, a group fitness class may help you stay motivated. If running or walking hurts your joints and discourages you from getting in your daily activity, a gym with options for low-impact cardio like rowing or swimming can help you get there.
To get started on your weight loss journey, join Mountainside Fitness today and use the resources available in their fitness clubs in Phoenix, AZ, to help you reach your goals.
