See it, Believe it, Achieve It!
When you’re trying to lose weight, the hardest thing of all is actually getting started.
Procrastination is the thief of time and we continually tell ourselves “I’ll do it tomorrow”.
In terms of diet and fitness it’s usually more a case of “I’ll start on Monday”
And when that Monday comes around we often have every intention of being ‘good’ and the day starts well.
Our motivation levels are high and we feel quite positive, sometimes we actually even look forward to these Mondays as we hope this will be the start of a new, healthier us… I have to add at this point we are usually feeling this way because we’ve gorged over the weekend and feel totally stuffed and fed up (literally!)
However, by Tuesday or Wednesday, our resolve can start to wane a bit and now that Thursday is seen as the ‘new Friday’ we are openly encouraged to start our weekends earlier. And so it goes on.
“Some people want it to happen,
some people wish it would happen,
others make it happen.”
Motivation is not about doing something you love over and over again, it’s about being able to get yourself to do something you don’t want to do! Have you ever noticed how some people once they’ve made the decision to do something are undeterred, have laser beam focus and ultimately succeed in reaching their goal while others spend years starting a ‘diet’ every Monday?
Why can some people do it and not others? The answer my friend is MOTIVATION
MOTIVATION (or willpower) is just like a muscle. When you don’t use it, it becomes weaker and weaker but the more you use it, the STRONGER it gets.
Did you know that…
Each time you say ‘NO’ to buying that chocolate bar at the petrol station
Every time you say ‘NO’ to that biscuit with your cup of tea
Every time you resist that glass of wine at the end of a long day
You are flexing your motivation muscle and it is GROWING STRONGER
And the best thing is, once you start to get used to saying NO and start to feel and see the benefits – more energy and vitality, some weight loss, other people noticing changes – the new regime becomes enjoyable and suddenly you LOVE what you are doing.
Motivation is then no longer needed because it has now become a normal and natural part of your lifestyle.
But it can all be a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you’re doing it on your own so try introducing just one new habit to make a difference.
A habit which you know will (over time) take you towards your goal.
Getting to an extra exercise class each week
Taking the time to research and cook ‘cleaner’ meals
Drinking more water
Getting quality sleep
Just one new habit to start making the difference.
The chemical formula for motivation is based on producing dopamine. We need to activate the pleasure centres in our brain. One of the easiest ways to activate the pleasure centres and increase dopamine production, is to use your imagination and visualise the end result so…
If you want to lose weight – see yourself slimmer, imagine how you will look and feel.
See yourself stronger with more energy and vitality because you have increased the number of times you exercise in a week.
See yourself wearing that new swimsuit and feeling confident.
So have a think about your goal, and your real reasons for wanting it then…
