Motivation

The journey to get to your goal weight may be a long one, but it is worth the wait. It can be difficult to be patient while you wait to see results. But a lack of patience can be a big mistake that can make the road to success even longer. Let’s look at some speed bumps you’ll want to avoid on your trip to your best self.

Don’t Compare

Comparing your journey to someone else’s can be a big mistake if you choose the wrong person. Contestants on shows like The Biggest Loser are not models for healthy weight loss. Those contestants don’t have to deal with life while on the show; their only “job” is to lose weight. They are severely restricted in what they eat. Even the food you see them eating is often spat out after they do their commercial for whatever company sponsored the segment. They spend multiple hours in the gym. It’s not sustainable, which is why most of them gain the weight back. You don’t want to lose the weight only to find it again. You want to get rid of it for good, so take the long view and don’t get discouraged if it isn’t coming off at a ridiculous rate. Aim for 1 pound per week of loss. Also, don’t compare yourself to other peoples’ before and after photos if there is no timeline or date associated with the photo. The pictures could be years apart. Focus on your own habits, and you will get there!

Ignore the First Week

Very often, when starting a new weight loss plan, people will see a very large loss in the first week. This is often the body simply shedding excess water weight. After that initial drop, then the body begins to burn off fat. But rarely will you see another large drop like that. Be prepared for it, and don’t let it discourage you. Again, you want to aim for losing 1 pound per week. If you lose more, that’s fine, but don’t let that become your goal, and don’t fall for the trap of thinking that it will be indicative of future loss.

Don’t Quit

Because the process is slow, some people get frustrated and quit. But not you. Even if you only lose half a pound each week, that’s still 26 pounds over the course of a year. How would you feel if you were 26 pounds lighter? Again, this isn’t about getting to some magic number as quickly as possible. It is about being healthy for you, for your family, for the rest of your life. Don’t let another January 1st roll around where you once again make a resolution to lose weight. Instead of starting over, don’t give up!

Be realistic

Many people quit because they compare themselves to what they see on TV, or photoshopped pictures in magazines. They have unrealistic expectations of how quickly they can lose weight. Don’t fall prey to this sort of thinking. Do the math, and see what is realistic for you. If you lose 1 pound each week, where will you be in six months? A year? How long at that rate will it take to get to your goal weight? Keep in mind that 1 pound is just an average. If you have a lot of weight to lose, you will likely lose more at first. If you are struggling with those last 5 pounds, it is going to be much harder and much slower going. But it is possible and within your reach. With persistence and consistency, you will get there!