Losing weight is not just about eating less, exercising more, or following a certain diet plan. The truth is that most people who fail in their weight loss journey do so not because they lack knowledge, but because they never really know “why” they want to change. It is the initial reason that is the foundation, keeping you steadfast in the face of difficulties and temptations.
1. Why is the initial reason more important than the diet plan?
A diet may give you a list of foods to avoid, calories to cut, or exercises to do. But all of that will quickly become burdensome if you do not have a strong enough reason to maintain it.
Research shows that people who tie their weight loss to a meaningful goal (such as improving their health so they can play with their children and grandchildren) are twice as likely to maintain their results long-term as those who just follow a general diet plan. The initial reason is the “mental fuel” for this journey.
2. The consequences of losing weight without a clear reason
When you embark on a weight loss journey without a clear reason, you are likely to fall into a state of “following the trend”. Many people choose to diet because they see their friends doing it, or because of pressure from social networks.
The problem is that these reasons often lack inner strength. You may be excited for the first few days, but as soon as you encounter a little difficulty, your patience quickly disappears.
As a result, the diet is abandoned, and the exercise becomes half-hearted. Many people fall into a “reduce – increase – decrease – increase” cycle, which makes the body tired and the mind depressed.
The more times you fail, the more you lose confidence in yourself. And eventually, losing weight is no longer a positive health journey, but a mental burden.
3. How to identify a truly strong personal reason
To find your own “why,” you can start with these questions:
- Why do I want to lose weight? (For my health, for my family, or for my own self-confidence?)
- If I don’t change, what will happen in 5 years?
- What is more important to me: my appearance, my health, or my quality of life?
When you answer honestly, you will gradually see which reason is strong enough to keep you steadfast. For example, “I want to lose weight to reduce my risk of diabetes like my mother did” is often stronger than “I want to fit into nice clothes.”
4. Turn your reasons into lasting motivation
Having a reason is not enough, the important thing is to know how to turn that reason into sustainable motivation. An effective way is to write down your reasons and leave them in a visible place, such as on the mirror, in a diary or on your phone screen.
When you feel discouraged, read them again. The constant reminder will help your brain “reset” the goal and rekindle the original spirit.
You can also share your reasons with relatives or friends. When you have a companion and know what is really important to you, they will help you maintain motivation.
In addition, attach your reasons to specific actions. For example, if your reason is “wanting to be healthy to play with your children”, let that guide your daily exercise. Every walk, every healthy meal will become a way to get closer to that desire.
In short, losing weight starts with your “why.” A diet plan may get you started quickly for a few weeks, but only your initial why will get you far in life. When you understand your true motivation, you will make weight loss a part of your lifestyle, not a stressful ordeal.
