There are many reasons why we become motivated to lose/control weight. Most of these reasons are revolving around our “self” needs, such as:
- Wanting to lower/obviate our need for prescription medication(s) to treat weight-related co-morbidities
- Wanting to feel a higher level of energy
- Lowering the amount of pain we feel in our knees, hips and other weight bearing joints
- Wanting to feel a higher level of confidence and self-esteem
Many other bullet points may be added to this list.
At times, motivation for losing weight is found outside of ourselves:
- Knowing that our health is important to family members
- Desirous of a “better look” for our spouses/significant others
- Wanting to look healthier/better in front of our work colleagues as we morph back to the days of going into a workplace
There are many other bullet points that may be added to this list as well.
Clearly, the more “politically correct” motivations would appear to be the self-generated ones, because no one should ever feel that they should be changing something physically for the sake of anyone other than themselves. However, sometimes multiple “motivations” are needed to spring people into action, so if some of these motivations are based on “doing it for others” then allow them in as well.
We all need to be motivated to change behaviors. When it comes to weight control, seek al motivations, both internally and externally.
