Zero in on your BIG WHY to Fuel your Weight Loss Goals

When it comes to weight loss, intrinsic motivation is key. It can be challenging to make changes, and to carry on even when progress is slow. 

What are the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation comes from the satisfaction you feel doing something. You do it because you love it, and doing it makes you happy. This makes it easier to build habits, and to stick things out when you’re in a rough patch. 

Some people are motivated by fear of negative consequences. This can be a starting point and might be powerful enough to generate movement, but in order to maintain momentum it is important to tap into positive emotions as well as negative emotions. Just like your physical fuel, your mental fuel makes an impact on your life. 

Extrinsic motivation comes from the desire to reach a particular outcome. It can be effective for reaching a goal, but once that goal is reached your motivation to sustain your effort lags. It can be helpful to harness both kinds of motivation in your weight loss journey, but finding your intrinsic motivation will serve you better in the long run. Health is a lifelong goal, and requires lifelong work. If setting small extrinsic rewards, like fitting into particular clothing or losing weight for an event, works for you, use that framework to move yourself along your path but also spend some time thinking deeply about your BIG WHY.

What are some BIG WHY reasons for weight loss?

1. You had a purpose before you had a name. Your presence and participation in life makes a difference, for you and for the people around you. Working on building healthy habits means that you have the energy and vitality to show up for your life. When your lifestyle provides a healthy foundation for your life, you can focus on your purpose. 
2. You only get one body to carry you through life. Just one! Learning to love, value, and care for that body is a key part of enjoying it as well. Finding that balance between accepting your body, with all its particularities, and also working to change what you want to change is a powerful part of everyone’s personal journey. 
3. You deserve nourishment and rest. Your body is amazing. When you think about the ways that all of your systems work together to allow you to do what you do, and to heal and recuperate, you can feel awe and gratitude, and let those emotions lead your decisions. Your amazing body deserves the best fuel you can give it, and deserves replenishing and rejuvenating sleep.  

Tools to help you tap into intrinsic motivation

1. Visualization 

 Practice closing your eyes and picturing in detail who you are as a healthy person. What can you do? How do you feel? Hold that image in your mind. 

2. Affirmations

 Actually saying things out loud might make you feel silly, but it is a key part of rewiring your brain. Stating your goals and affirming your abilities out loud can help silence any nagging voices in your head that tear you down and sap your energy. Shifting your internal voice from a negative voice to positive one is an excellent tool to harness your willpower and motivation for your goals. 

3. Habit stacking/pairing

 Adding a new habit onto an old one is a proven way to tap into an existing pattern to make a change. 

Where to start?

Take some time to think and write about what your BIG WHY might be. You can start by asking yourself these questions:

Why do I want to be healthy?

Who are the most important people in my life, and how would improving my health help them?

What is one small promise I can make to myself, to build my confidence?

If I make a list of how I spend my time, are there ways that becoming more healthy will support the things on my list? Does that help me make time for what I need to do?

Having encouragement and support can help you make big changes. All TruBalance offices are equipped for virtual appointments, and TruBalance weight loss experts are here to help you make the changes you need to support the life you want.