Intrinsic Motivation to Lose Weight

Motivation to Lose Weight is a powerful motivating factor that you should consider for your weight loss journey. Yet, you may be asking yourself "what is the motivation to lose weight?" and "why do some people seem to have it while others don't?" As with any motivation based plan, there are good reasons for motivation and there are bad ones.

The usual elephant in the room debate is that it is a flaw in exercise and/or diet approach that, on a superficial level, is partially true. Too many people look to a quick fix or magic pills as a solution to losing weight when they are really looking for a sustainable lifestyle change and healthy habits to reinforce. In short, many want to feel like they are losing weight but are really just staying in the same old habits that got them to where they are today. Way too many of us strive for quick fixes and then over-extend ourselves with unhealthy diets and exercise routines that are really more of a chore than anything else.

In reality, a great motivational tool for dieting is the consistent lessening of daily caloric intake. Although this sounds like a no-brainer, it can be hard to do especially when your mind is preoccupied with the need to find the next diet pill or magic pill to make weight loss easier. By adopting a healthier mindset about dieting and regular exercise, you can create a more-must-be-better mindset about weight loss and dieting. You can create this mindset by making the following changes:

o Recognize that extrinsic motivation is what keeps us motivated to keep buying into the hype of dieting programs. It's the satisfaction of getting started that makes the big difference in our success. If the process of losing weight is bothering you, look at the process as an obstacle that has to be hurdled in order to reach your goals.

o If you want to diet so that you can keep going, choose a diet plan that offers plenty of fruits and vegetables. By choosing foods that are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, you can keep yourself on track and give your body the nutritional support that it needs to effectively begin burning fat. To further promote your motivation to lose weight, get a workout plan together that includes both strength training and cardiovascular exercises. When combined with healthy eating and a regular exercise routine, weight-loss programs are more likely to help you reach your weight loss goals.

o If you are dieting because you are motivated to feel healthier, take steps to eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet. Eating junk food is not only a waste of time; it can also hinder your chances for long-term weight loss success. By taking the necessary steps to avoid harmful fats, you can help your journey to achieve your ideal weight. As a bonus, you will find that you have more energy and can enjoy a more rewarding physical activity than you thought possible.

o Finding motivation to lose weight doesn't mean you have to spend hours in the gym each week. In fact, even the most disciplined of dieters can benefit from a few short walks and runs in addition to the diet program you are following. Even a 20-minute walk after a meal can make a difference when it comes to boosting your metabolism and helping you shed pounds. The more time you put into exercise, the more time you will have left in-between meals to eat.

Both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to lose weight work. It's just a matter of how you make them work. If you eat right and get a good workout, you can start seeing great results almost immediately. If you choose to focus on intrinsic motivation, take care to plan activities that will keep you challenged and occupy your mind. The best results come from consistent effort over a long period of time, so the key is finding something fun and interesting to do.