Weight Loss Motivation
GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN LIFE BEGIN WITH SMALL
STEPS
Some of the greatest accomplishments in life begin
by taking one small step at a time. When we are
challenged to think deeply, encouraged by others
to succeed, and ultimately inspired to take action
great things start to happen!
If you have important personal or business goals
you are not achieving, try to spend less time
worrying about all the possible "causes" and start
concentrating on how you can make progress. This
is the key to moving forward. Here are three
simple, but powerful tools for success:
1. Develop a clear plan with REAL goals.
The key word here is REAL. Having clear plan is a
good thing - but most people spend far too much
time without having a plan, and set false goals or
have no goals at all!
We've all been there. It's New Year's, and time to
set those "resolutions" for the coming year. We
quickly jot down some thoughts about our job, or
our health (losing weight, quit smoking, save
money), but our good intensions never seem to
stick. We have NOT set REAL goals! We have merely
gone through an exercise to sooth our boss, our
spouse or maybe our conscience!
To succeed, we really need to define the life we
TRUELY want and then make the right choices and
prioritize our actions accordingly. This takes
some time and requires some serious thought on our
part.
For example, if you have a goal to lose 50 pounds
in 6 months, start now on a plan to lose weight by
decreasing your caloric intake in small amounts on
a regular basis. Define the amount of calories
necessary to lose the weight and how you will
adjust your meal plan to succeed. Take small steps
in the direction of your goal, and then keep
repeating the action until your mission is
accomplished.
The solution here is obvious: Define what you
REALLY want and set THAT as your goal. Most people
are actually pretty good at achieving goals IF the
goal is realistic, IF they have a clear plan, and
IF they really, really want it.
2. Create a SYSTEM for achievement.
This may not come as any great surprise, but
Research has found that about 85% of our happiness
is determined by the quality of our relationships
with other people. Loving, caring relationships
and a network of friends, family, and colleagues
lowers stress and increases our longevity and
productivity. Not only that, our ability to
relate, communicate, and negotiate all help
determine our success in life and work together to
enrich the lives of those around us. This is one
of the key things that bring meaning to our lives.
Create a supportive environment that will inspire
you to be your best and do great things.
Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups work
because they create an environment where members
are supported and encouraged to succeed, every
step of the way. Success and personal development
are definitely more sustainable when there are
environments and failsafe structures which support
it.
We are social creatures and we do our best when we
have friends to cheer us on, offer support, give
advice and hold us accountable when necessary.
This makes it easy for us to succeed. So, surround
yourself with people, tools and activities that
make it easier to succeed than to fail! Arrange
your living environment and social situations so
that every thing around you pulls your forward!
3. Take SMALL steps.
Avoid the giant leaps! I'll say it again...Avoid
the giant leaps. Too often we try to take giant
leaps, when we are far more likely to climb the
mountain by taking a series of small, incremental
and well planned steps.
Sure, giant leaps sometimes feel good, but they
can also be up-setting. We are creatures of habit
and abrupt change is confusing. This is one of the
main reasons why people fail after losing weight
in a hurry. The brain naturally misses the old,
familiar "self" and wants to gradually return to
its "comfort" zone.
Remember that the small steps need to be taken
every single day. Take the smallest, safest,
easiest step you can, but keep moving in the
direction you want to go. When you begin to see
results, taking the next step becomes much easier.
Keep taking the steps day after day until your
goal is accomplished.
Consider this quote from Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.; "Take the first step in faith. You don't have
to see the whole staircase, just take the first
step." Set your goal, develop your plan and take
that first step in faith!
About the Author:
William Winters
Founder, WEIGHT LOSS WARRIORS
William is a tried and true diet and fitness
authority. Formally educated and trained as a
Food Scientist, William has published numerous
articles and appeared as a public speaker to
promote health and fitness.
Other weight loss articles on this site include Walking for Weight Loss, Has TV Made Us Fat?,
Tips for a Leaner Physique,
Motivation for those attempting to lose weight, and
10 Tips for Weight Loss.
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