The definition of motivation is the reason or reasons one
has for acting or behaving in a particular way or the general desire or
willingness of someone to do something.
Sounds simple? Sure it can be but
it’s also personal therefore it can also be complicated. What motivates one person may not work on
another. We’ve read that you can’t
actually motivate someone else but we can inspire with good example, education,
& support. So, how do we
inspire? 1st we should start
by building a rapport – if motivation is personal than to help inspire someone
to be motivated we must understand their personality type & what will work
for them. Once we understand what may work
we can begin.
While the list is infinite here are some suggestions: (Some we can do for the client & some we
can suggest they do for themselves)
Ask them what they believe will motivate them. Have them make a list.
Have an image or positivity buddy, who can support you in
times of need
Look into a personal coach – if you can’t afford it look
into bartering
Put positive image reminders everywhere – no negative pics
or quotes on fridge, no one needs negativity but we all need positive
reinforcement
Write a daily goal & reward – nothing big: like today I
will begin a 5 min walk & my reward will be a nice long, relaxing bath
Make an affirmation notebook & read it daily or when
feeling low
Focus on 1 change a week
Volunteer – when we help other people we feel good &
needed
Write in a daily journal, especially the good things that
happened that day
Keep a gratitude journal
Make a weight loss plan with an outline of targets and dates
to have accomplished – don’t make it impossible to do & include rewards
Smile& laugh everyday – 5 minutes (in front of a mirror
or not) – studies have shown it helps with depression & even healing from
an injury
Watch a funny movie – again laughter really can be the best
medicine
Brag – tell your friends how great you are at cooking a
healthy meal or that you’ve worked out every day this week
Have accountability – make a weight loss contract & sign
it
Do breathing exercises
Meditate
Take a class & learn something new – get out of your
comfort zone, you will feel really good about yourself & all positivity
carries over to all parts of your life
Simplify - make a weekly or monthly menu
If you don’t like to cook then pick 1 day out of the week
& cook & freeze so you just have to heat it up during the week – invite
friends or family, it can be a weekly get together
Make & keep a goal list, not just for weight but
everything – 1, 3, 6, & 12 mos. & 3, 5, & 10 years & update it
when needed
Make a bet with someone – if you’re competitive you won’t
want to lose
Write a cost/benefit list & post it where you can see it
every day
Ask yourself what benefits you get from your current
lifestyle & if it’s worth the down side
Speak & think like you’ve already achieved your goal –
the subconscious doesn’t know the difference
Work out together with a buddy
Go out to lunch at salad bars and other healthy restaurants
Do a weight management program with a buddy like Weight
Watchers
Have someone available to send you supportive texts, e-mails
and phone calls
Have someone available to listen if you need to vent
Remember you are beautiful no matter what
Do a self-love exercise in the mirror
Write a gratitude journal daily
Getting a couple or friends massage
Join a support group
Setting & writing goals & rewards (not food rewards
though)
Watch TV shows or movies that are inspirational like Biggest
Loser
Start a book club for inspiring stories – look at Oprah’s
book club for an example
Trade healthy recipes – there are websites
Educate on healthy foods & ways of cooking
Remember you are loved infinitely
Post reminders everywhere of why you’re doing this
Educate on ways to cope better with stress or emotional
issues
Congratulate them that they are willing to give it another
go, even if it’s the 2nd, 3rd, or 100th time
Have resources for nutritionists, online support, support
groups, massage therapist, acupuncture, etc.
Remind them they are beautiful and perfect as they are right
now
Remind them of all their other amazing qualities
There is more to life than being skinny
Geneen Roth is also an amazing author who writes about her
struggles with compulsive eating and has lost and gained over 1,000 lbs. in her
life. She's very inspirational and a great resource!
"That was then, this is now". When they can really grasp and accept that,
their past beliefs won't interfere with their future success.
Hypnotherapy and life coaching can help.
Different types of support such as family, friends, groups,
classes (If a friend or family member will join in too, that is double the
support), volunteering (giving to others is self-supporting).
Starting with just one thing....each time you see the
results, it will motivate you to do more. Start with number 1 on the 8 steps to
weight loss - do just that until you feel ready to take on number 2 (possibly
no longer than 1 month between adding a step - it only takes 3 weeks to develop
a habit!)
Exercise does not need to be boring. What do you like to do
that involves movement? Do it!
Also funny movies
with a friend. Start your day with a
funny YouTube clip.
Music, music, music! Get up and move to it (exercise for the
body) or sit back and relax to it (reduce stress)
We could post movie ideas (inspirational, feel good, funny,
health documentaries) YouTube videos, classes, groups, volunteer opportunities,
etc.
Motivation suggestion and ideas for losing weight
-Make small changes! – It’s ok to go slowly. Get comfortable with each step before moving
on
-Seek help! Look to
family & friends
-Seek alternative sources of help!
Sometimes we get fixate that they only way that we are going
to lose weight is by stop eating and doing lots and lots of exercise! Hypnotherapy, meditation, tapping, yoga,
breathing, Ayurveda, are but a few of alternative paths that individuals can
try to explore in their quest to losing weight!
Join a Facebook group – there are many, it’s free & fun
Make weekly challenges – but make it real, not so hard it
will never be accomplished
Remember you NEVER fail, you just learn a way not do
something. Every experience is
educational you just have to decide to learn from it.
Remember that we are all connected. Your love of yourself is also love for your
family, friends, neighbors, community, country & world.
Spirit (God or whichever name you prefer) wants to take care
of yourself, be healthy & happy.
-Detoxification!
We live in a world that is full with toxics. Our bodies are
saturate with toxics, to the point that some individuals are not functioning at
full capacity because of them. So it’s
wise to take the time to do some spring cleaning on your body. It’s difficult, but your body will thank you
for it.
-Fasting: I know that sounds drastic, but in a world where
we have so much food around us, sometimes it’s wise to disconnect ourselves
from the main source of our problem, it can also be in conjunction with
detox.