Losing weight can be a lifelong struggle for many people. They are always trying the latest diet and get discouraged when it doesn’t work for them. People are always giving advice, but it can sound condescending or seem like nagging.

The truth is losing weight is hard work and the more you have to lose the harder it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s not achievable. There are many, many people who have achieved weight loss and are living happier and healthier lives.

One of the biggest struggles of weight loss is staying motivated. Most of us start out with great enthusiasm and usually have great results the first week or even two but once the weight loss slows down that’s when our willpower has to work overtime to keep us from reverting back to bad habits.

Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated during your weight loss:

Picture It – Visualization has been used for years by many and it works. Take five minutes out of your day to visualize the pounds melting off, but don’t stop there. Imagine what your life would be like if you were thinner. Would you have more confidence, would you buy new clothes, start dating again, what would you do? Visualize it and stay motivated.

Journal It – Start a journal at the beginning of your weight loss journey, write how you’re feeling, what your goals are and what a difference it would make to your life. Then take a picture and stick it to that page. Depending on how much weight you’d like to lose you can update the journal weekly or monthly (as difficult as it may be, you should probably do it weekly). Take the time to take a new picture every week and stick it in a new page along with a few notes, if you hit a plateau, look back through your journal and see just how far you’ve come.

Reward It – Set small goals throughout your weight loss and rewards to go with it. For example five pounds can be a nice body lotion, twenty pounds can be a fab new outfit. Make the rewards whatever you want but try to stay away from food rewards, as this is not constructive to your weight loss.

Instead do have little treats here and there throughout your weight loss phase (don’t deny yourself completely) and see these treats as everyday part of life not something to use as a reward, just make sure you eat them in moderation.

Buddy Up – Find a good friend who also has the goal of losing weight. Keep each other accountable. Encourage each other and cheer each other on for every little goal met. Positive peer pressure is a good thing.

Flaunt It – Why not? You’ve worked hard; share your thoughts with friends and family members. Let them know how proud of yourself you are and bathe in their compliments. You’re taking steps to change your life and doing something that’s not easy at the best of times, so be proud of yourself and share it with others.

Once you start losing a little weight, you’ll be amazed at how motivated you are to reaching that end goal. But, don’t rely on the scales all the time. Don’t weigh yourself every day. Are those favorite old jeans fitting now? Do you need to have your nicer clothes altered to fit the new you? Great! Then you’re reaching your goals, a little at a time.

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