It’s time to get back on track after summer...but this is not the first time you have “refocused” your efforts.

Whether it's after summer, after the holidays, or after a vacation, you seems to always be starting over again.

The good news...you've done it before and you can do it again. The bad news...it won't be long until you fall of again. And that's the challenge: sticking with your plan.

But why is it so hard? And what can you do about it? Let’s find out...

Why You Struggle to Stay Motivated on a Healthy Eating Plan

No one starts out a new eating plan wanting to fail. You have great ambitions and dedication to your new plan.

But then life happens and it gets hard to stick with it...and then eventually you fall back into your old patterns.

Why?

Because we all take on more than we can handle. We think we are able to make more changes than are humanly possible.

The truth is, it’s not your motivation or willpower that is lacking. It that you don’t have the right strategies to keep yourself motivated.

Ways to Stay Motivated When Following a New Eating Plan

If you want to stay motivated when following a new eating plan, here are 6 specific things you need to do:

1) Start Small

As I mentioned, the most important thing you can do is create victories for yourself. If that means that the only change you make in your diet is to drink one glass of water when you wake up, awesome.

The point is that it is something that no matter what, you WILL be able to do it. And nothing builds momentum and motivation better than winning.

2) Have a Reset Button

I am sorry to say it, but you will fail. There will be a day when you wake up and the dog just ate a shoe and you have to run her to the emergency room and you forgot to have your water.

The goal is not to be perfect, but to always allow yourself a “reset”. If you miss something one day, just make sure to get back on track the next day.

3) Think Ahead

If you have every tried to change your diet before, you probably already have a good idea what types of things throw you off track.

Parties, vacations, talenti ice cream. Whatever they are, they can be a real motivation killer. They can stop all progress in its tracks and make you feel sad, guilty, or angry.

So, it is up to you to plan ahead to keep your mind right. It doesn’t mean you have to avoid any of these things, but go in with a plan A, B, and C!

And, set up a plan for how to get back on track AFTER. If you go on vacation and let yourself enjoy it and not worry about your diet, then just make sure that you have a grocery shopping trip planned for the day you get back!

4) See the Big Picture

One of the best ways to stay motivated is to take a step back and see what you are trying to change in your diet as a small part of what will be a much longer journey.

There is no such thing as a perfect diet. Only a perfect diet for YOU. And even that is ever changing with age. So, if you are going to be playing with your diet for the rest of your life, there is no reason to get upset if you do fall off track and there is no reason to rush anything.

5) Know Your “WHY"

All change begins with a purpose. The more clear you are on why you want to make a change, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Vague desired to be “healthy” or thinner or have more energy are not going to get it done. You need SPECIFIC reasons why to change.

What does health mean to you? And how will being health enhance your life? And are those enhancements more important than having that second glass of wine?

Maybe yes, maybe no, but you have to be the one to decide what you want.

How to Stay Motivated to Be Healthy When Life Gets Tough

These tips may work fine most of the time, but life can really throw some curveballs...so, when the going gets tough, the #1 thing you can do to stay motivated is to set yourself up for success.

So, if you have been working on eating less carbs, but then life happens and you find yourself struggling, find a way that you CAN be successful.

Does that mean that you just make sure you breakfast has the ratio of carbs to protein that you are looking for? Or that you just switch your sandwich for salad at lunch?

It may not be everything you had hoped to do...but it is a positive and that’s all we can ask for sometimes.

If you are interested in learning more about how to stick with your eating plan, fill out the form at the top right of the page and ask us about our comprehensive nutrition program designed to help you NEVER diet again.

Have a question about the article? Please post your questions on our Facebook Page.