Motivation, what gets you jumping and pumped up to tackle the day? 

Motivation really is the reason behind our efforts and our desires and it comes in many forms. People are motivated financially, they need to make money to pay the bills so they have no choice but to get up and get off to work. People are often motivated by achieving a goal, starting a task, planning a holiday but as easy as it is to get motivated, it is just as easy to lose our motivation.

Take for example weight loss. We know we want to lose, we are so dedicated and motivated to shed the extra winter pounds, or holiday pounds or aging pounds or whatever the reason is, so we start off the new year all gung ho and ready to go to the gym before the sun has risen, then about a week or two into it our motivation declines? Why?

Human nature is such that if we see immediate results we are more driven to succeed and be motivated, weight loss is a long term goal in the future and not immediately tangible so keeping our motivation and drive can be difficult.

Would love to hear your story Share your tips on how you keep yourself motivated! I would love to hear and get motivation from you!

So here are a few tips for you to keep yourself motivated:

1. Set realistic goals! In regards to weight loss, know that is impossible to lose the 15 pounds you gained in two weeks! It will take time and commitment. Reward yourself along the way(not with food) for the small accomplishments. Are you ale to walk up the hill now without puffing and panting? Are you able to lift heavier weights or run for longer?  Did you go out to eat and skip dessert which you once could not live without?Are you getting fitter and leaner? Know that it will take time, it is the compound affect and lay off the scales! Weighing yourself daily will definitely play tricks on your mind. Our body weigh fluctuates daily with water retention etc. Forget the number on the scale as your loss is so much more complex than that.
2. Challenge yourself!  However,  if it is too difficult you will not accomplish anything and it if it is too easy you will get bored. This is called “The Goldilocks Rule. James Clear, author and entrepreneur says ,”The Goldilocks Rule states that humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities. Not too hard. Not too easy. Just right.” Therefore, in order to stay motivated we need to be able to know that we will be able to achieve a goa but if it is so difficult in the time frame we have set we will actually lose motivation. Conversely if it is too easy, we will become bored. 
3. Be happy!  This seems easy enough but if you do not get enjoyment from you are doing whether it is working out or working at a job, you will not have the motivation to do it well or to continue.
   

   What makes you jump for joy?