Staying Motivated on a Long Journey to Weight Loss

For many of us, embarking on a weight loss journey that spans over 12 months can be challenging. It’s unrealistic to expect that we can stay motivated solely by focusing on the end goal. However, there are strategies that can help us stay on track and maintain our motivation throughout the process.

Setting Milestones and Rewards

One effective way to stay motivated is by setting smaller milestones along the way and rewarding ourselves when we achieve them. The author of the original post shares their personal approach, where they reward themselves with a weekend getaway or even a week off at significant weight milestones. This not only provides positive reinforcement but also serves as a reminder of the progress made so far.

Adjusting Expectations

The journey towards weight loss is not always linear, and it’s important to adjust our expectations accordingly. Sometimes, we may reach milestones quicker than expected, as seen in the author’s case, who reached their 130kg milestone four weeks earlier than planned. In such situations, adjustments can be made to the rewards or how they are celebrated, like opting for an overnight camping trip instead of a full weekend getaway.

Planning Ahead

Planning ahead is crucial to staying motivated. The author mentions their plan to reach the 120kg milestone just before Christmas by averaging one kilogram of weight loss per week. They also highlight using the two weeks off work for the holiday shutdown to make a proper trip out of reaching this milestone. This not only provides a concrete goal but also offers a time frame in which to celebrate and enjoy the achieved progress.

Finding Personal Motivators

Aside from rewards and milestones, it’s important to find intrinsic motivators that will keep us going. Everyone is different, so what motivates one person may not work for another. It could be fitting into a special outfit, improving overall health, or building self-confidence. Identifying and focusing on these personal motivators can provide the drive needed to stay committed to long-term weight loss goals.

Support System

Having a support system in place can be instrumental in staying motivated. This could include friends, family, or even joining weight loss communities online. Interacting with others who are going through a similar journey can provide encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, sharing successes and setbacks with others can help maintain motivation and perspective.

In conclusion, staying motivated during a long weight loss journey requires a combination of strategies. Setting milestones and rewarding oneself, adjusting expectations, planning ahead, finding personal motivators, and having a supportive network are all key aspects of maintaining motivation throughout the process. By incorporating these techniques, individuals can stay focused on their goals and ultimately achieve long-term success.

I believe it is safe to say that, for many of us, especially those with a journey of 12+ months ahead, it is quite unrealistic to expect to stay motivated by solely focusing on the end goal.

I started my journey in early August weighing 145kg, with the aim of reaching 90kg by the end of September next year. Besides the injections, which have been a complete game-changer, my biggest motivator has been the agreement I made with myself at the beginning. I decided that each time my weight dropped below a multiple of 10 (e.g. 140kg, 130kg, etc.), I would reward myself by going somewhere new for the weekend. I might even consider taking a week off when I reach the 50% and 100% milestones.

However, I did skip the 140kg milestone since I reached it on Day 14, mostly due to losing water weight. Because I was losing weight faster than anticipated at the beginning, I reached the 130kg milestone 4 weeks early on Day 75 (last Wednesday). Since this milestone came sooner than expected, I ended up going on an overnight camping trip up in the mountains. I am still considering planning a proper trip away this weekend to commemorate it.

As for the 120kg milestone, if I continue averaging 1kg per week, I should reach it just before Christmas. Since I already have 2 weeks off from work during the shutdown and this milestone will be close to the 50% mark, I might actually plan a proper trip to celebrate it.

How do you stay motivated when the end goal is so far away?