Weight Loss can be a tricky beast, with many different paths to go down, but like many journeys, it has its perils. One of the main perils is keeping up with that motivation past January. Yes, I know it’s February already (I know where did that month go?!?). Commonly, most people get that surge of healthy choices in January (New Year and New Me mentalities) then they start to waver.

In today’s blog, I will give you my top 2 tips to help keep you focused past January when it comes to your weight loss journey. 

Stop relying on motivation to support your weight loss.

I see this all the time with clients. They see motivation as this mythical force to fix their weight loss issues and give them the preverbal kick up the bum. How often have you used terms like “I will lose that weight once I get motivated!” or “I wish I were more motivated to eat healthily!”. If you lean on motivation at the start of your weight loss journey, like leaning on a fragile walking stick, it will snap and cause you to fall. Let me explain why:

People think motivation comes first. That we must be motivated to do something. In my experience, motivation NEVER comes first.  

Motivation only comes in later once we see success and progress in our journey. First, there must be clear and precise reasons why we need to change and accept that something will only change if we do something different. How often have you said you want to lose weight but never been clear about not only why you want to lose it but also what clear and precise steps you need to achieve to make this happen? 

• Be CLEAR about your reasons why you want to lose weight.
• Be PRECISE on the steps you need to achieve weight loss.
• Be RESPECTFUL of the process that weight loss only happens if you make plans and stick to them.

Once you do this, put the effort in and make positive changes; in time, weight loss will come, and THEN, only THEN, will you start to get motivated. I see it all the time with my clients. They often struggle at first, but once they see progress and the results of the efforts, they then become motivated. 

Accept that Weight Loss is not a short-term fix but a long-term change of Lifestyle.

Weight loss is not a quick fix. It never has and never will be. You didn’t put the weight on overnight (god, that would be scary if that happened!), so there is no way you will lose it within a month. This requires a long-term investment of time, effort, planning and action. 

People expect to be making progress by the end of January but get demotivated once they don’t see the progress that they want. Trust me; I get it, been there and got the size 6XL T-shirt. I remember being back in that exact same position at the start of my weight loss journey ten years ago now.

The thing that changed it for me, and will for you, is the acceptance and understanding that this isn’t just about eating less and cutting out certain foods but about looking at the bigger picture. 

And that bigger picture is your LIFESTYLE. 

Does your current lifestyle match these weight loss goals? Are you busy, stressed rushing around for family and work? Do you feel you don’t have time to put aside the time and effort a weight loss journey requires? As long as you feel this and can’t direct the needed energy towards this goal, then you won’t make progress on it. I have seen this with clients, and by keeping them on track with that focus, they make great progress. 

A large part of my work with clients often isn’t just looking at their food choices but supporting them with this bigger picture and how to fit a weight loss journey into their lives. 

Final Tips

Weight Loss is not just for January; it’s for the rest of your life. It requires a commitment to put yourself first and show love towards yourself and your health. Please stop hoping for a quick fix to your weight issues, as they will never help in the long run. Like anything important in life, this journey requires effort. 

Please remember you are not alone on this journey. There are millions in the world who struggle with this, and it’s ok to ask for help.

I know that I would never have been able to achieve my weight loss journey without support, so reach out to friends, family and those around you.

If you need any further support from me, please don’t hesitate to reach out and book a Consultation.

David

Your Weight Loss Coach