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Motivational Techniques for Individuals Who Lack Drive & Enthusiasm

By Shondelle Solomon-Miles

The following are four motivational techniques that can assist individuals with staying enthusiastic and motivated about reaching their weight loss goals.

Positive Self Talk:

Self-talk is inner dialogue, or the words you use when you're having conversations with yourself. By controlling your inner dialogue you can begin to assert control over what you believe to be true about yourself and the world around you, and consequently motivate and inspire yourself. Positive self-talk directly influences your emotions and ultimately your actions. The better you feel, the more motivated and enthusiastic you are to accomplish your goals. Choose language that will focus your thoughts on what you want to accomplish and not on what you want to avoid. For example, when you find yourself thinking, 'I don't feel like exercising,' replace that thought with 'I'm looking forward to my workout because I know it will bring me one step closer to my weight loss goals.' Replace thoughts like, 'I'm too busy to prepare healthy meals,' with 'I'll make time for anything that's important to me.' Over time, these sorts of positive affirmations will reprogram your conscious and sub-conscious mind to feel better and motivate you to accomplish your goals.

Finding a Circle of Support

One of the most effective ways to stay enthusiastic and motivated about reaching your goals is to surround yourself with people who support your goals, and/or emulate those who have already achieved the goals you wish to achieve. Successful people avoid negative people and they spend the majority of their time surrounded by those who have already achieved what they themselves seek to achieve. For example, if your goal is to weigh 150 pounds by eating healthy and living an energy full life - then seek out others who have already achieved this goal, or who are working towards achieving this goal.

Set Specific & Inspiring Goals

How can you reach a destination if you don't now where it is? Setting specific, realistic goals is crucial to staying motivated because clear, concise, and realistic goals keep your mind focused 100% of the time on the task at hand.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as establishing a goal, working hard to attain it, despite the challenges, and finally achieving what you are after. What a feeling! In addition, it's that feeling that gives you the motivation and enthusiasm to accomplish the next goal. Think of each goal as a single domino in a line of dominoes. All you have to do is knock down that first domino and all the others will go tumbling down.

Visualize with the End in Mind

Visualization is the process by which you create clear, mental images of things and/or ideas that are not physically or visibly present, and it is a very powerful way to maintain motivation, both consciously and subconsciously.

The subconscious mind does not differentiate between that which is imagined and that which is real. It accepts everything that enters its realm as truth. Therefore, by visualizing yourself looking and feeling, not as you are now, but as you will be, you're in effect tricking your subconscious mind into believing that your desired result has already been attained.

It's important not only to create a visual image, but to imagine how you will feel when you reach your desired weight. Imagine yourself running and laughing in the park with your children, or walking into a crowded room wearing a sexy, strapless dress, or perfectly tailored suit and having all eyes on you. Embrace and savor those feelings and before you know it, you'll have more enthusiasm, determination, and motivation that you can handle.

About the Author:

Shondelle Solomon-Miles is the owner of Synergize Training Studios in Hollywood, FL. She is also the author of The Ultimate Fat Loss Guide. Her website is www.Synergizeweightloss.com