After an annual physical with your primary care doctor, they may suggest ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle. From incorporating more vitamins into your diet to eating more fruits and vegetables, your doctor can provide information to help you live a healthier life. If you’ve decided to add weight loss to the list, you might feel discouraged at first, as adopting a new physical activity regimen may be difficult. Below are five tips to help keep you motivated and on track. 

How to Stay Motivated When Trying to Lose Weight

1. Create Realistic Goals

While your main goal may be to lose a substantial amount of weight, don't try to tackle it all at once. Instead, break that number down into smaller goals and work with your primary care doctor to identify the easiest and most effective ways to reach those benchmarks. For instance, if you want to lose 50 pounds, take it five pounds at a time, and celebrate the small victories along the way.

2. Ask a Friend to Exercise With You

Making time to exercise every day can be one of the harder aspects of a weight loss journey. Accountability is extremely helpful in creating healthy fitness routines and habits, and a friend can provide this crucial component. Choose a friend who will motivate you and keep you on track, and schedule a time when you can get together to exercise.

3. Explore Different Nutritional Options

Being mindful of caloric intake is always a good way to lose weight, but you also need to make sure you're getting enough healthy nutrients. Explore different nutrition options and see which ones are most appealing and sustainable for the future; consult with your primary care doctor for more customized guidance. Consider fruit smoothies, fresh juices, and high-protein meals as options.

4. Keep a Journal

Record all milestones on your weight loss journey in a journal. Write down even the smallest improvements, like your clothes are fitting better or you don’t get tired walking up a flight of stairs. Review your journal entries periodically to remind yourself of your progress. 

5. Celebrate Victories

No matter how small a victory might seem, celebrate it. Go to a movie, schedule a weekend getaway, or treat yourself to a trip to the spa. If your weight loss journey experiences some bumps, or a particular benchmark isn't achieved, don't panic; take a deep breath and start over.

Bearing these considerations in mind can help you stay focused and inspired while losing weight. To ensure you have proper medical support, meet regularly with your primary care doctor. The physicians at Patient Choice Medical Care provide the New Haven County, CT, area with a variety of health services, including primary care and preventative treatment. Call (203) 535-0262 to schedule an appointment or visit them online to view their services.