Motivation is the Key to Successful Weight Loss

Let's be honest with each other, how many times have you started something only to give up on it about 10 days or less later? If you have you are not alone. That is the main reason why so many diets are so successful for their promoters. People want instant gratification and when they don't get the results they want right away they give up and may or may not try something else. Diet promoters make a mint when people are constantly trying out a new diet because the last one "didn't work".

Keeping ourselves motivated about losing weight is the real key to any diet. Since dieting to lose weight is not the most interesting subject in the world how do we keep motivated beyond the 10 day limit? Searching deep within ourselves is the secret here. Everyone has a passion for something whether it is a hobby, place or person. That passion keeps us going. Everyone will have a different way to become passionate and motivated toward dieting. So how do you become passionate about dieting to lose weight? Here are some suggestions:

Diet with a friend or family member. The mutual interest will keep you both going past the 10 day limit. Once you both see a change it will encourage you both to continue the weight loss programs you have chosen.

Reward yourself at regular intervals during the diet. Don't use food or anything involving food (such as going out to dinner or lunch with a long lost friend) as the reward. Treat yourself to a new smaller dress, top or other item of clothing. Go to a sporting event that you have been putting off. Attend a concert.

Buy an item of clothing that you simply have to have but don't buy it too small. Buy the size that is just one size down from what you are wearing right now. You will feel really great when you can fit in it only after a month of sticking to your diet.

Join a health club with group exercise classes. Signing up for a class you know you have to attend will keep you going. Making friends in class is also a big boost for your motivation goals.

Now a word about motivation killers. We all know at least one person that will put us down no matter what we do or look like. That person is the one to stay away from during the first month or two of the diet. After that time you will usually feel so good about yourself that no matter what that person will do or say to put you down will not make a difference to you. Another motivation killer is buying an item of clothing too small for you to fit into in the first 6 months of your diet. There is nothing worse than having an item of clothing hanging in the closet that you will give up on ever fitting into.

Be realistic about buying the right size clothing for you to wear within the first 3-6 months after starting your diet. I know about that one very well. I made the mistake of buying a bikini that was a size 9. I was a size 16 at the time. I was hoping to fit into it in 4 months. It didn't happen and it stayed in the closet that summer. Come next summer it was out of style and I no longer liked the look of it. I got discouraged and lost motivation. Don't do that to yourself. It is almost like setting yourself up for failure.

Remember to keep your goals in mind and keep going past the first 10-15 days. Find ways to keep yourself motivated, you will succeed.