Motivation for Weight Control: Keep it!

In part one, you learnt how to get motivated - now you can find out how to stay motivated. With sustained motivation, you are far more likely to reach your weight loss goals.

(This is part two of a two-part article. Click on the link at the end of this article for part one – how to get motivated).

Read more :

• Five ways to keep it
• Face the phases
• Praise the pros and can the cons
• Use mini-motivators
• Remember people power
• Positive reinforcement works

Five ways to keep it

When you’re motivated, you feel ready for anything. You’re fired up, ready to lose those kilos, ready to take on the world.

But what about a few weeks down the track? Will you feel the same? Probably not. Motivation is like a fire that constantly needs refuelling and stoking, otherwise it goes out. Reminding yourself again and again of what you want, why you want it, and what you’ll do to get it is one way to keep your motivation burning (see part one of this article). Try these five other motivation strategies to further fan the flame.

Face the phases

To keep motivated you need to recognise and prepare for the different phases of motivation.

The first phase of motivation is one of enthusiasm and strong vision, and it’s great for getting you started. But rule number one is don't expect this initial motivation “high” to last.

The second phase of motivation is all about trial and error. You need to test different avenues for achieving your goals to see what works for you and what doesn’t. During this phase you experience success and failure. Make sure you acknowledge the successes and learn from the "failures." Bouncing back from perceived failure is crucial here.

In phase three your motivation starts to ebb. You find yourself remembering how, when your motivation was high, you felt like you could overcome huge obstacles. Now that it’s low, everything seems too difficult, too frustrating, and not worth the struggle. This is a high-risk phase. The symptoms of this stage can be anything from slipping back to old habits, finding excuses for not exercising, or doing and thinking things to sabotage your success. When you feel motivation slipping, don't delay; enlist the aid of family and friends for support and encouragement, and log onto the CalorieKing.com.au Community for support and advice in the forums, chats and meetings.