Thursday, December 4, 2008

How to Maintain Weight Loss, Week in Week

By Rowena French

It is often said the most successful weight loss programs are the ones where you 'finish the way you start' but doing this can be quite a challenge. We always start new health programs on a 'high' with great intentions and plenty of enthusiasm but as we continue our goals for weight loss week in week out can seem more difficult to achieve and the effort this requires, more demanding. We know however that despite this predictable drop in commitment and drive, there are reliable ways to keep focused and continue to reach our goals.

Find an unflattering photo, showing you the way you were at your worst and fix it your refrigerator. It needs to be the worst picture you have of yourself, there for you to see whenever you head for the fridge to find something to eat. Each time you are about to swing the door open your heavy self will be there saying 'Close the door and go grab an apple' or 'The ice-cream in the freezer will keep you looking like ME'!

Build in incentives for your weight loss progress and record the achievements you strive for as well as the dates on which you reach them. Make your objectives and rewards specific like 'As soon as I lose 10 pounds I will buy the slinky black dress that's on sale at the store' or 'When I drop a size in jeans I will splurge on the matching jacket on display with them' or even 'When I lose 20 pounds I am going to Hawaii for a week'.

Begin your weight loss and enjoy the outcome of this across shorter timeframes as well as across the longer haul. Keep records of your diet progress and refer to these to enjoy the benefits of all your efforts and notice your increasing weight loss and your changing body shape week by week and over the longer time frame.

Share your journey to a healthier, cuter looking body with others who may benefit from your weight loss week by week through creating a blog. You would be surprised at how effective this can be to keep your motivation high and for drawing the attention and support of many others in the same situation as you. They generally log in at least weekly and can be the source of encouraging comments and advice.

A picture is worth 1000 words so flip through some of your favorite clothing catalogs and cut out photos of the clothes that you want to be able to wear when you are at your ideal weight. Pin them up on your closet doors, on your mirror, anywhere where you will see them. Stay focused on how you want to look when you are at your ideal weight, the time when your weight loss week in week out won't be needed, then visualize this and it will help you make it happen.

Read by going online or read books that detail the stories and successes of other people who have lost weight successfully. Reading about the success of others will help inspire you to keep going. After all, someday someone might be reading about your struggle with weight loss as a way to stay motivated and to stay on their diet!

Try new things and do not get stuck in a food or exercise rut. Try new ways to exercise. Consider a martial arts class, belly dancing, or take some friends to a roller rink or ice rink to skate for the afternoon or even go sledding or skiing. No matter what the season, there is sure to be some new outdoor or physical activity you can try to change your routine a little and take the focus off your weight loss week by week.

Avoid people who are unsupportive or that sabotage your weight loss efforts. If you have a friend who always want to eat fast food or go get ice cream and tells you that it is OK to cheat on your diet 'just this once' or says other things that dampen your efforts, do not hang out with that person anymore. Do not let anyone hold you back from doing what you know is best for you - making healthy choices and enjoying your weight loss week in week out! - 16650

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