Posted: April 1, 2010

Wanting to lose weight and following through with that desire are two very different things. If we could all just will ourselves to lose weight it would be much simpler but then reality kicks in and we realize there’s effort and time involved. Lifestyle changes need to be made and you need to stick to a routine.

I know it seems like a lot, but the key is to keep yourself motivated. If you’re motivated to do something you will. Exercise and healthy living can’t be just a chore. You need to enjoy and genuinely want to be healthy. With that in mind here are a few tips to keep you on track and motivated.

Start small and build on success

It Seems simple enough but lot’s of people get discouraged because they can’t complete or do something. You don’t want to burn yourself out by going crazy day one and injure yourself. If you set the bar low enough and raise it a little each time you’ll see results. So what if you can’t do 50 pushups right now. Lot’s of people can’t. But if you can do 10 today and then 15 next week and then 20 the following… well you’ll get to 50 in no time.

Make it fun

You can’t just push, push, push and then expect yourself to have a ball. If you aren’t in a regular work out routine right now you aren’t going to magically fall in love with 2 hours of exercise a day. Make being active fun. Start with stuff you enjoy. Walk your dog, or walk or jog with a friend. Play a social sport where you can interact with others. Remember to bring your ipod with you if you’re heading to the gym. Try out Wii Fit and see if that works for you. Being active doesn’t have to be a chore. If you look at it that way you probably won’t stay on track.

Avoid tempting situations

This one is sometimes the hardest to do but seems like the most obvious of all of them. If your guilty pleasure is salty ripple chips …don’t have them in your house! Maybe spoil yourself with a small bag once in awhile but don’t buy a bulk sized amount good for three weeks because you’ll go through it in one guaranteed! I know it’s hard to stay away from your favorite guilty pleasures but it’ll make them all that much sweeter when you do treat yourself to a small reward.

Track your progress!

So many people don’t bother to weigh themselves or measure their waist it’s unbelievable! But go further. Keep a journal of your progress. You have to remind yourself it’s not all about the scale. You might have trimmed down inches where it counts or built muscle. If you can run 5 miles now and couldn’t make it out of your driveway week one that’s inspiration for when you don’t feel like putting on your running shoes.

Lose with a friend

Find a loved one or friend to go that extra mile with. It’s harder to stay on track by yourself but if you have someone pushing you along, motivating you and you’re having fun together then it’s a million times better. No one likes suffering by themselves, but suffering with someone else is bonding. Losing weight together can build and strengthen relationships. Just don’t get caught cheating on your diet or you may end up in the doghouse!

Try to keep these simple tips in mind when striving to reach your weight loss goals.