We all know that some of the best ways to look after our mental and physical health are to exercise, eat healthy food and keep our minds busy and purposeful. But in the same breath, spending more time indoors and finding ourselves emotionally drained by the daily news can impact how motivated we feel to actually do those things – especially when we still don’t know when a more normal daily life will return.
The most important thing to keep in mind during any trying time is that you aren’t alone and that this situation is temporary, so it will pass. But, in the meantime, we hope the following 6 tips will help you to stay as motivated as possible.
1. Make weight loss your purpose during lockdown
Having a long-term goal can really help you focus on the big picture. Setting your sights on life after lockdown with mini goals that take you towards your big target can really help fuel your motivation to stick to the healthy changes you are making. Reframe your weight loss goals and refocus – lose a pound or a kilo and then repeat, every week!
It might be more motivational to change from a longer-term goal to something more immediate. For instance, if your motivation was aiming to be fitter and healthier for an upcoming wedding or holiday which hasn’t happened and may be rescheduled, again, it might now be more motivating that when we leave lockdown you’re not feeling frustrated at having let go of the achievements you’ve already made. Setting your sights on a relevant future can help fuel the motivation needed to make healthy changes.
Plan meals and have healthy snacks ready for when you feel hungry will make you less likely to reach for something quick and easy that might take you off track. But be kind to yourself and if you do go off track, don’t beat yourself up. Just draw a line underneath it and start again – you’re only human, after all.
2. Create small, realistic milestones each day and week
Having a routine during a period of uncertainty can help to give you some stability, reassurance and a sense of normality. Human beings are creatures of habit and having some sort of routine, no matter how flexible and changeable that routine provides a comforting structure. Often if we wake up and then spend time contemplating all the things we could do with our day, it’s easy to find it too hard to choose from your ideas, or to overthink each idea and end up not doing anything at all.
To avoid this happening, try sitting down with your diary or a notepad every Sunday and mapping out some sort of plan for your week. This doesn’t have to mean writing down what you’re going to do every hour, every day of the week. Try to stick to the outline routine as much as possible but allow yourself some breathing space too. If you’re not feeling up to making it to 10k daily steps that you committed yourself to earlier in the week, then make it a weekly target and try to make it up on other days – be kind to yourself along the way.
3. Use this time to find out what really motivates you
If you’re missing a purpose, feeling a little lost and lacking motivation at the moment, then whilst this can be a real challenge to work through, it can also offer a great opportunity. When was the last time that you had this much time to reflect, to focus on what’s really important to you and to consider what really makes you happy? Many of us will be feeling particularly grateful for our health and the health of our families and friends right now, and perhaps certain things that seemed important before this all began no longer do. It’s important to be honest with yourself about what really motivates you. Whatever it is that makes you tick, now could be a really valuable time to explore it and how you might get started. Self-discovery is a journey that we may go on several times throughout our lives, and the results can sometimes be surprising – in a good way!
4. Sort out your sleep routine
If you’re struggling to get a decent night’s sleep you are not alone. ‘Coronasomnia’ has fast become an informal term for sleep problems related to the pandemic. Sleep is really important for weight loss. Lack of sleep is a contributory factor that leads to weight gain and restlessness through the day. It is as important that you get a good night’s sleep and complete rest to help you lose weight. Sleep deprivation can affect your decision-making ability and make it harder to resist fatty and sugary cravings. Ensure your bedroom is dark and adequately cold to help you get a good sleep.
5. Stay connected with the people who make you feel good
If you’re struggling to stay motivated, then consider staying in regular contact with friends and family members who are positive and tend to lift your spirits. If you’re feeling a bit low, it can be tempting to retreat into your shell and avoid social contact altogether, but a chat with a cheerful loved one can really give you a boost. Staying connected acts not only as a reminder that we’re all in this together – it’s also a great way to share tips with one another on how best to navigate these strange.
6. Get outside every day
There’s no better cure for a low mood, stressful day or an overwhelmed mind than sunshine, exercise, and fresh air. Even those times when you’re feeling busy and rushed, you should make it a priority to spend at least 20 minutes outside every day. You don’t need a forest or a beach a stroll along the pavement of the local neighbourhood
And finally…
When you’re on your weight loss journey, getting the right support is the best way to keep your motivation high – and that’s exactly what you’ll find with Bodyline. With expert advice from qualified doctors and nurses who have helped over 100,000 people lose weight – we’ll help you reach your weight loss goals.
What is keeping you motivated at the moment? Do you have any additional tips that you’d like to share with others? We’d love to hear from you over on Facebook or Instagram.
