Are you feeling hopeless and frustrated in your weight loss journey?
Have you lost your motivation to keep going?
Many people who embark on weight loss journeys experience burnout over time. It's important not to give up when you feel your motivation dwindling--there are steps you can take to overcome it!
Your weight loss journey may feel like a winding road, but remind yourself that you have the steering wheel. When you experience burnout, your inner voice may start whispering doubts, causing you to feel hopeless and frustrated. You may not feel confident that you can sustain your journey. Don't allow these feelings to become permanent. You have the ability to flip the script and keep your spirits high!
Here's how:
1. Set Realistic Goals
Don't overwhelm yourself by aiming too high. You can get there. But first, you need to break down your big picture into small, achievable goals. Conquering each small goal will boost your confidence, remind you of your ability to make progress, and reinforce your motivation to keep going.
2. Celebrate Every Win
EVERY step, no matter how small, is a victory, and every good choice you make warrants celebration. Your progress is defined by the accumulation of each win. They are proof that you're moving forward!
3. Visualize Your Success
Stay connected with your "why." Assess where you are in your journey now; consider the state of your health and how it can impact your future. You may also find it important to consider how you feel, or maybe even how you look. Now, visualize yourself after accomplishing your goals; compare the difference between where you want to be and where you are now (or maybe where you were before you started your journey). Visualization will help deter you from becoming complacent, and motivate you to stay on track.
4. Add Variety to Your Routine
Keep your journey fresh and exciting by trying new exercises, sports, or recipes. Repeating the same old things will become mundane. Remind yourself that you're adaptable and open to change!
5. Surround Yourself with Positivity
Positivity is contagious. Daily positive affirmations are super effective; but if you can't maintain positivity internally, you must look elsewhere! Seek out inspiring stories from others, or join a community of like-minded people who are on similar journeys. Communities like H3@Home are a great place to find support, positivity, and inspiration.
6. Track Your Progress
Journaling, meal tracking, and exercise tracking allow you to see your progress in a very clear and defined way. Checking off daily goals is effective at reinforcing those behaviors and providing a sense of accomplishment. Wearing a smart watch regularly or using the H3@Home app are great ways to stay at the top of your game.
7. Practice Self-Compassion
Setbacks and challenges are a part of every weight loss journey. You have the ability to move past them without derailing your progress. Don't be harsh on yourself--offer yourself the same kindness you would offer a friend. Forgive yourself for unwise choices, and know that you can make the next choice better.
8. Be Patient
Make peace with the fact that a healthy weight loss journey doesn't involve immediate results; they involve gradual, sustainable results. Don't feel discouraged if you don't lose a bunch of weight in a short amount of time; understand that those gradual changes are adding up, bringing you closer to your goals. Appreciate each stride you make, and allow them to inspire and motivate you along the way.
