Three Stick-To-It Secrets to Staying Motivated and Losing Weight

It's no problem to start a weight loss program, diet, or exercise plan. Even keeping it up for a few days or a week. But how do you stay motivated in the long term of weeks, and months, especially when it feels like you're going nowhere? Here are three tips that will guarantee you more success with staying motivated to lose weight.

Tip #1: Set Measurable Goals

It's not enough to simply wake up one day and say to yourself, "I wish I were skinnier," or "I really should lose this belly." A goal is a dream with a deadline. The best goals have specific ways to measure them. For example, you could say, I want to go running for 30 minutes, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. Keep a log or calendar so you can look back. Then, at the end of the 6 weeks, it's easy to see whether you were able to do this or not. And don't be too strict if there were a few weeks where you only exercised once, or not at all, give yourself some slack and keep going!

Tip #2: Track Progress

It can feel like it's a long way to the end of the tunnel, and on a day to day basis you might not see or feel any progress. However, if you regularly track how much you're exercising and/or how much you way, you can look back and see how you're doing. Now, I don't suggest you weigh yourself every day - I think every week will be okay, and that way you're not too obsessed with the scale. I like looking back at the progress I've made by looking at my written exercise and diet plan and seeing what's worked for me and what hasn't. Then I can adjust accordingly.

Tip #3: Who's Got your Back?

The best thing you can do for yourself is to find an accountability partner. Once you've written down your goals (don't keep them in your head, put them on paper or on the computer), share them with a friend, family member or spouse. Be sure to pick someone who cares enough to regularly encourage you and won't make you feel too down if you fall a little short.

Check in with this person at least once a week. Make a pact that if you don't check in each week, they will personally call you to see what's up. When you start to get other people involved, you're no longer on your own. Even better, start a program or set goals together with a friend and you can both keep each other accountable. Be brave, just ask someone and know that you'll both be better off!