Motivation is a definite requirement for weight loss diets. It doesn’t really matter which diet or program an individual is on…motivation is required in order to achieve successful weight loss. Dieters who think they can make it through a diet and achieve successful weight loss with no thought or care for motivation find it almost impossible to restrict their eating and meet the other dieting requirements as set down by their particular program. There are different types of motivation and it is important to know the difference because depending on the dieter…different types of motivation are required.
Motivation can be divided into two different types; internal and external. The healthier form of motivation is internal. Internal motivation is based upon personal needs and desires. Dieters depending upon internal motivation are losing the weight because they want to…for themselves. External motivation isn’t as healthy; although it can be just as effective depending upon the situation at hand. External motivation is more commonly referred to as guilt or peer pressure. Dieters depending upon external motivation are not losing weight for themselves; they are losing weight because they think other people want or expect them to.
Dieters are encouraged to find various forms of motivation:
1. Before and after pictures (take a shot right before you start a diet and take another shot when you’ve reached your goal weight. You can even take pics each week to visually record your weight loss success)
2. Take note of successes (and failures) with weight loss journaling (some prefer video journals)
3. Blogs dedicated to weight loss success and trials
4. Online social media sites (dieters can find motivation by interacting with others in similar positions)
5. Discussion of weight loss attempts through chat groups or online forums
There are many types of motivation. Motivation can come from many sources. But the clearest, most easily understood and most universal motivation is weight loss itself. Seeing the pounds drop off provides an amazing amount of motivation for dieters who are working hard to reach a healthy weight loss goal.
