In my talks with people who have tried and gave up adopting a healthy lifestyle, they cite lack of motivation as one of the key reasons they were unable to keep it going. People assume that because I’m a Marine, it’s easy for me to set my mind to something and just do it.

That’s true.

Just kidding; it’s not. It was just as hard for me as for anyone else to keep my head in the game and stick with it, work through the hunger pangs, or the pain. The path of least resistance is to just give in to the cravings and eat or to just eat whatever I want at mealtime (or have as many mealtimes as I want!). But that wasn’t acceptable to me. I had set my mind to being successful at weight loss and at adopting a new lifestyle for the rest of my life.

The keys to adopting a healthy lifestyle

I think that was the first key: “Dedicate yourself to it for the long-term.” You have to be all-in psychologically. You have to really want this just like you have really wanted anything else difficult to accomplish in your life. The more you want it, the more you will sacrifice to get it done. Changing your diet will bring about some discomfort and even pain. It’s easier to get past that when you know what’s on the other side. That’s where the next key comes into play.

The second key was to read as much as I could from people who were doing what I wanted to do. For those of you who read Reddit, this subreddit for progress pictures was very inspirational to me and led me to learning more about Paleo and Keto. Seeing all these people doing so well, making such amazing progress really inspired me and kept me motivated. On those days when I felt like I wasn’t seeing or feeling any progress, I’d go to /r/progresspics and look at the pictures. Seeing other people make progress over 3 months, 6 months, a year, etc really helped show me that it was going to take time, but that time and effort were worth it.

A third key was support. I talked about support from a partner or spouse, but it could just as easily be friends, or through social media: forums, subreddits like /r/paleo or /r/whole30, Facebook groups, or a local gym. Any group of people doing the same thing as you is always going to have a different angle on the same process and can help you get through some of your tough spots. Interaction with these people can be key to keeping yourself motivated through the rough patches.

There is no fourth key.

A fifth key is to accept that you’re human and that every now and then, you will have to eat something not in your lifestyle. The main point here is to:

1. Limit the amount
2. Limit the frequency of these non-lifestyle meals
3. Don’t beat yourself up for it afterward

It’s hard enough to be on a new lifestyle while breaking free of the old habits and the stranglehold the bad foods had on you without making things harder on yourself with guilt. I know so many people who have had a day when they went off the rails and they felt so bad about it, they quit the diet or the lifestyle. It happens; just get back up, brush yourself off, and make the next meal a good one. And the one after that. And so on.

We are all motivated in different ways and for different reasons. The trick is to find yours. Some people need someone yelling at them. Others find the quit and calm inner peace to guide them to a goal. Others yet find motivation by reading what others have to say (I love those people!). There are those who are motivated through rewards while others are motivated by deprivation. Whatever your motivation jam is, find it and rock it. Once you identify that, you can do anything.

I know; easier said than done. If it were so easy, we’d have all finished everything we’ve ever set our mind to. But I don’t think that’s true. I think if we never really got motivated to do something, it’s because ultimately, it wasn’t that important to us. Anything truly important I’ve ever wanted to accomplish, I’ve done. I am sure you’re the same way, too. So find it, that reason that you need to get healthy or to lose weight. Is it for your spouse? For your kids? Grandkids? Want to see grandkids? Want to be able to go mountain biking, hiking, skydiving, or just take a walk around the block without pain? Then use that and motivate  yourself with some rewards, or do what I did: set smaller, periodic goals. I had little celebrations with each goal I reached. No, they didn’t involve cupcakes or rum, but they were great motivators to keep me going.

Never underestimate the power of a goal met. It’s contagious, and you will look forward to achieving more of these milestones as you reach them.