It is often said the most successful weight loss programs are the ones where you ‘finish the way you start’ but doing this can be quite a challenge. We always start new health programs on a ‘high’ with great intentions and plenty of enthusiasm but as we continue our goals for weight loss week in week out can seem more difficult to achieve and the effort this requires, more demanding. We know however that despite this predictable drop in commitment and drive, there are reliable ways to keep focused and continue to reach our goals.

Sort through old photos of yourself. Tape the one on the refrigerator that you absolutely hate; a picture taken when you were at your heaviest weight. Tape it on the refrigerator or the cupboard where you will see it every time you go looking for a snack. Every time you see the picture tell yourself that you will never look like that again and this will help motivate you to not have that extra snack.

Build in incentives for your weight loss progress and record the achievements you strive for as well as the dates on which you reach them. Make your objectives and rewards specific like ‘As soon as I lose 10 pounds I will buy the slinky black dress that’s on sale at the store’ or ‘When I drop a size in jeans I will splurge on the matching jacket on display with them’ or even ‘When I lose 20 pounds I am going to Hawaii for a week’.

Make the effort required to reach your goals! Chart your progress and make sure that you do take time to enjoy the rewards you earn. This is a very important part of any weight loss program but especially over an extended time because it helps you see the benefits of all your efforts in short term and then across the long term.

Start a blog, name it My Weight Loss Week, and get a little digital support. Starting a blog will help you stay motivated to keep going because now you are accountable to your readers to stay on your diet and keep losing weight. Having a blog will also get you a lot of support from your readers in the form of helpful comments and emails to keep you motivated to stay on track.

The power of visual images during your weight loss week by week should never be underestimated. Visualize how you will look when you reach your gaol weight and find photos of images like this from advertisements or fashion mags. To stay focused on your healthy eating and exercise program, display these images anywhere you will see them in your bedroom or bathroom or at work as constant reminders of the final reward for all your efforts.

Seek out all the information available to you about other weight loss experiences on line or in books or other health publications. Many people have managed to lose weight and maintain a healthy body shape indefinitely, so be inspired by their weight loss success stories. When you reach your final gaol, you will be in a position to encourage others too!

Try new things and do not get stuck in a food or exercise rut. Try new ways to exercise. Consider a martial arts class, belly dancing, or take some friends to a roller rink or ice rink to skate for the afternoon or even go sledding or skiing. No matter what the season, there is sure to be some new outdoor or physical activity you can try to change your routine a little and take the focus off your weight loss week by week.

Surround yourself with friends and family who are genuinely committed to your weight loss and are prepared to do all they can to assist you with this. This does not include those whose subversive ways will encourage you to give up exercise or stop a healthy diet, for any reason and who prevent the progress which is possible for you. There is no place for in your life for these people because you are in control of your weight loss week by week and you will have no one stop you from reaching your goal.