Motivating Yourself to Lose Weight

Fitness is one of the hugest industries, as almost everyone seems to be aiming at their ideal image of health. Through many weight loss trends and diet fads, many people can attest to having a hard time finding what really works. The truth is, there is no magic weight loss pill, and there are no shortcuts when it comes to shedding those pounds. You will have to do the work if you want to see long lasting and healthy results. All of this will demand consistency, discipline, and perseverance. Above all, you must be able to motivate yourself to lose weight. Once you are motivated, you have a source to draw from on those days when you're not really feeling it.

Social Support

Social support from your peers can be instrumental in keeping you motivated to continue with your weight loss commitments, whether it be eating healthier meals or working out on a specific regimen. You and your family can show support by eating healthier together at dinner time, so that you don't feel alone as you start out on the new diet. Or, the family can simply integrate a few healthier meals. Social support can also come from people whom you may not know. You can find people like this in weight loss forums, fitness classes, park, YMCA, etc. If you love dancing, you can start taking contemporary dance classes, aerial classes, etc. This is a great way to incorporate some fun into your fitness plan. Social support boosts resilience and helps to maintain psychological and physical health while it reduces stress.

Celebrate Your Milestones

It's never too early to celebrate. We do tend to be our own worst critics at times, as we can be pretty hard on ourselves if we are not meeting the expectations we have set. Although you may think you have not done enough to be rewarded, it is still vital to acknowledge the work that you put in. Perhaps you can reward yourself after every five to 10 pounds you lose. It doesn't have to be a huge dinner, but it can be a new outfit you've been eyeing. By implementing some kind of reward system, you will be motivated to continue losing weight. Go to the spa, get your hair done, go to the movies with friends, or take a trip. These are just a few ways you can treat yourself after you have reached your next set of goals.

Have a Proper Routine

As said before, there are no magic pills or short cuts. However, it is so very vital to make sure that you are using the proper form in your exercises as well as having the workout routine that is right for you. HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training has been regarded as one of the best ways to shed pounds. HIIT requires short spurts of intense exercise followed by slow-pace recovery periods. These alterations can be done for a full 15 to 30 minutes. It makes your heart work more and boost your metabolic levels so that you are still burning calories even after the workout has ended. Many people have noticed amazing results with this method.

You have probably asked yourself, does fat turn into muscle? Well, the answer is no, but what can happen is the body can burn stored fat and muscle as a result of lack of protein. So, make sure you are consuming the recommended daily grams of protein. It is true however that muscle does burn more calories than fat. According to Wharton, 10 pounds of fat would burn 20 calories while at rest, whereas 10 pounds of muscle would be 50 calories while at rest. So, it is also recommended to not just focus your workouts on intense cardio but also weight training. This will give you amazing results that are quite visible, which I'm sure will motivate you to continue.

By using some of these techniques, you will feel more inspired to keep working towards your weight loss goal. The tips listed will help to keep you physically engaged and mentally invested in your health.