Need to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated?

Most of us want to be healthier in some way or lose a few more pounds, but just wanting something isn’t always powerful enough to make it happen.

Weight Loss Motivation

Getting started is usually not the hardest part. We are pretty good at giving healthy behaviors a try, but achieving long lasting change, that’s a different story.

So, what does it take to get motivated and more importantly stay motivated to achieve your health goals?

The answer is not just one thing, it’s many things! First, you need a really, powerful WHY to get you started. Your WHY is your driver, the fire that burns your desire for change. We are all motivated by different things based on our personalities, upbringing, wants, needs, and values.

What Motivates You

When you are figuring out your WHY, think about these powerful motivators. You may find that you relate to several of them.

1. Sense of urgency or severity – you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease, or you might need a knee or hip replacement. How you perceive the severity of a health problem will impact your motivation for change.
2. Prevent and protect – you understand the risks of a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. You may have watched a family member suffer from obesity or lack of mobility and you want to avoid the consequences of poor health for your future.
3. Desire to follow social norms – you would like to be an active part of your community, and join in the behaviors of your friends, family, and social networks. You value belonging and feeling connected to the people around you.
4. A vision of a better future – you believe that the hard work will be worth the effort for a life that includes travel, physical activity, social engagements, and a better quality of life.

Consider these 5 things when trying to make healthy change:

• Readiness for Change – are you just thinking about it, preparing for it, or are you ready to dive in?
• Achievable Goals – lofty goals can be intimidating and can cause you to feel defeated before you ever get started. Stick to one change at a time and choose a goal that you feel confident in reaching within a set period of time.
• A Thoughtful Plan – consider the life obstacles (family obligations, work dinners, travel) that might get in the way of success. Write them down and develop a strategy for working through them.
• Self-Efficacy – are you confident in your ability to succeed? What would it take to improve your confidence level? What additional tools should you have in your toolbox?
• Accountability Partners and Support – most people don’t achieve great things alone. Who is on your team, and who can you rely on to boost you up when you need a push?

UNJURY® Cares is a supportive environment for anyone who wants to change their health and quality of life.