When it comes to losing weight there is one thing that you have to be clear on and that is your WHY! Why do you want to lose weight? Do you have a clear and defined answer to that question? Does your why excite and ignite you? If not, it should.
Your “why” is what will fuel your journey. Your “why” will get you out of bed at 5:30 in the morning to workout, when your bed tries desperately to hold you hostage. Your “why” will get you across the finish line of your journey when everything around you tries to get you to quit.
Knowing and following your “why” will keep you focused. The key in identifying your “why” is to make sure it is bigger and more pressing than the weight you have to lose. Here are a few things to consider to help you make a deeper connection to your why.
Your “Why” Must Be About YOU! It must center around and focused on you and your desires for yourself! In other words, it can’t be for anyone else. Not your spouse, not your children, not anyone but YOU! If your “why” is based on someone else’s desire for you or if your “why” is something you hear yourself saying you “should” do, this probably isn’t the “why” that’s going to take you to your destination. Your “why” should inspire you to move towards something YOU want.
Your “Why” May Change Mid-stream. Sometimes the “why” that gets you started will not be the “why” that keeps you going. You could have a different “why” for each phase of your journey and that’s okay! In fact, I highly recommend that you do because as you proceed through the process not only does your body start to change but you’ll start to come alive and the things that are important to you will start to change as well. Your weight loss journey is about changing both your outer and inner self and making adjustments along the way.
Tie Your “Why” To Something Powerful. Consider these three areas.
- How do you want to FEEL? Do you want to have more energy? Do you want to feel more confident? Do you want to feel more in control of yourself and your choices? Would you like to feel less self-conscious? Do you want to be in better health? Would you like to be more outgoing?
- What would you like to ACCOMPLISH? Would you like to be more physically fit? Would you like to complete a 5K race, half or full marathon? Would you like to teach a group fitness class? Would you like to move your body without discomfort or embarrassment? Would you like to cross “lose weight” off of your “to- do” list once and for all? Would you like to be taken off of your high blood pressure medication?
- How do you want to LOOK? Would you like to wear a smaller clothing size? Would you like to be happier when you look in the mirror? Would you like to wear a bathing suit for the first time in 15 years?
The key thing about your “why” is that it will ignite your motivation for the long haul. Your job is to dig deep and figure out all of the reasons “why” you want to lose weight and follow those reasons. By doing so, this will keep you mindful of the vow and commitment you made to yourself at the beginning of your journey and keep you moving consistently towards your finish line.
Your Turn To Share
What are your why’s? How do you want to feel? What do you want to accomplish? How do you want to look?