How to Stay Determined to Lose Weight

Losing weight is a difficult struggle for many people. With junk food readily available, it can be hard to stick to a healthy lifestyle and stay determined to lose weight. According to Jane Kirby RD and the American Dietetic Association, authors of "Dieting for Dummies," you should take proper steps to encourage yourself to stay on track when losing weight. Staying determined is simple, requiring you to be realistic about your goals and track your progress over time.

Instructions

1

Keep a weight loss and body measurement journal to track your diet and exercise progress. Record your weight and measurements of your chest, waist, hips and thighs once weekly. This will allow you to view gradual progress, which might not be visible when you look in the mirror each day. The harder you work at losing weight, the more progress you will make in your journal.

2

Set small weight loss goals and reward yourself for reaching them. For example, strive to lose 5 lbs. a month. When you reach your goal at the end of the month, purchase yourself a new item of clothing or a new piece of fitness equipment. Small rewards will keep you striving toward your weight loss goals each new month.

3

Tell friends and family that you are trying to lose weight. Letting other people know about your weight loss goals will give them the expectation to see progress over the next few months. When your friends and family are looking for results, they will congratulate you when they notice you have dropped weight. This positive encouragement will help you stay on track with your weight loss routine.

4

Take a before picture of yourself and put it on your mirror. When you look in the mirror each day, it can be hard to notice results. However, if you are looking at how you looked originally and comparing it to how you look now, you will be able to see just how much losing weight has improved your appearance.