It isn’t always easy to stay motivated. Life has a way of throwing curve balls at you when you least expect them—not to mention are least prepared for them. When you are participating in any sort of wellness program, either an anti-aging program or weight loss program, keeping your motivation level up is important.
Personal motivation is what makes the difference between success and failure. This is true in any life situation, from your career aspirations, your relationships, and of course your weight loss goals. Your motivation is what inspires you to get going in the first place. It is the belief that you are capable of achieving something great that will push you to work hard and push forward through difficulties until you reach your goal. But that motivation level doesn’t always stay so high, and it isn’t uncommon for motivation levels to take a big dip when you seemingly need it the most.
When Motivation Falls
There are a lot of reasons as to why motivation may fade. Life’s challenges are inherently difficult. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be challenges. It is only by overcoming challenges like this that we are able to grow and reach new heights in our lives, but knowing that challenge can lead to good doesn’t always make it easier to actually deal with those challenges.
Your motivation level is what inspires you to stand up and confront life when the going gets tough. It is what helps you wake up in the morning, feel confidence as you go through your day and puts the idea in your head that even though something is hard, you are totally capable of making it through to the other side.
So what can you do when motivation starts to fail? Here are a few tips:
- First, recognize that it is perfectly natural for motivation levels to rise and fall. Just because you aren’t feeling motivated today, that doesn’t mean that you won’t ever feel motivated again.
- When you recognize that your motivation level is low, acknowledge it and ask yourself why. Is there something specific that is bringing you down? Maybe a particular roadblock is seemingly getting in your way, and addressing it will help you feel motivated again.
- Practice healthy stress management techniques to help keep your stress level manageable and your anxiety level low. This includes finding time to relax daily, practicing healthy breathing techniques, and managing stress with healthy diet and exercise.
Finally, if you are in need of a bit of motivational support, then look for support. Reach out to friends or family who can step in and provide support when you are feeling low. Let your friends know how they can be supportive, and ask them to help you stay motivated when you don’t want to continue your wellness journey. If you need help finding a good support group, talk to your functional medicine doctor about support groups that may be available in your area.
