How to motivate yourself to lose weight

This personal trainer gives his expert advice on how to motivate yourself to lose weight if you're having trouble finding the motivation to get started.

Getting motivated to start a diet and exercising can often be the hardest part of the diet. But fear not because help is at hand.

We spoke to Anthony Healy, a personal trainer at Vivacia, about why motivation is so important for successfully loosing weight,

“Weight loss is anything but easy.

The reason Katie Hopkins was so successful in her recent weight loss TV show is because she is so incredibly motivated! Her entire identity, TV persona, and livelihood is wrapped up in its success. Failure is simply not an option!”

So how do you muster that motivation?

1. Decide why you want to lose weight

Is is to look good in a bikini, to feel better about yourself or another reason?

2. Set goals

'Lose weight' is too vague. You need a clear and achievable goal, such as 'lose 10lb in 10 weeks'. Write down how you're going to achieve this, such as 'run three times a week' or 'go to the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday' and STICK TO IT.

3. Write a morning mantra

Write and then read a motivational mantra every day. Make the goal seem like something that has already having been achieved,

E.g. “I have successfully lost 10lbs, and I am about to board the plane for Spain at Heathrow airport. I can’t wait to get to the beach in my yellow bikini….”

By doing so you get the good feelings associated with the goal ahead of time.

4. Kick the bad habits

To get quick results and keep the weight off you need to kick bad habits.

In the beginning you need to go cold turkey. For many people the enemy is booze, processed food and/or sugar in all its forms - most obviously, chocolate and sweets.

Giving these up for at least 6-12 weeks "breaks the back" of the usual suspects, forms some good eating habits, and brings about those quick results - which will keep you motivated and “hungry” for more success.