These are all ways to decrease the inclination to stop. Now for some ways to increase the inclination to continue. The real motivation will be your own desire to better your health and fitness, your belief that you can do it and your confidence that the regimen you have decided to go with is the best practical way to do so. Studies have shown that once you have followed the regimen for a while (say 5 weeks), the results will themselves become part of your motivation. Hence, the importance of measurements. (See – ‘What to measure before you start?’). You take pride in what you have done, you get pleasure from your friend’s compliments and your sense of identity changes positively. Then the efforts you have made feel more like an investment than an expense. Using your social environment to compete or compare with others in the same position will be of great support and encouragement. (See – ‘Steps for Motivating yourself’).

Belief is important, especially when you have plataeued, or your results have regressed due to sickness or injury etc. In such circumstances, make an agreement with yourself that you will again follow your schedule for long enough to get back to where you were, and only then decide whether to stop or continue. Almost always, the results, will then encourage you to continue. If you have plataeued, don’t get discouraged (See – ‘Dealing with Plateauing of weight loss’) and follow the advice therein to again break through.

It is best to breakdown long term goals into a series of intermediate steps or levels and perhaps even gives yourself a small reward each time you reach a set level.

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