One common reason people get a gym membership is to lose weight. At Spunk Fitness, we love being a resource for our members looking to lose weight, and we are happy to provide the support, advice, and information you need to change your life. However, there is only so much that we can do to help you lose weight; you need to help yourself. This is easier said than done, because in the face of stress and temptation, it is difficult for most people to stay motivated. Here are some ways you can stay motivated on your weight loss journey:

Don’t focus on the number on the scale

When you are trying to lose weight, you want to see immediate, quantified results, so it can seem like a good idea to keep stepping on the scale to see them. However, the scale is not always the most accurate measure of your weight loss. If you are using strength training as part of your fitness routine, you may actually see yourself gaining weight, as muscle weighs more than fat. This doesn’t mean that you aren’t making progress; quite the opposite, actually. Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, think about how you are feeling. Has your mood improved? Are you feeling like you have more energy? These improvements can help you feel motivated instead of defeated when the scale doesn’t show you exactly where you want to be.

Be specific about your goals

While losing weight is a great goal, it is general, making it hard to tangibly see when you are getting results. Specifically outline exactly what you want to accomplish, and a strategy for doing so. Create a plan of action that has specific goals. For example, if you want to lose five pounds in a month, create smaller goals to help you towards this larger one, like working out five times a week, not eating three hours before bedtime, and only eating unprocessed foods. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to stay motivated, because you can see for yourself how close you are to your accomplishment.

Reward yourself periodically

Weight loss is not something that happens overnight; it can take months or years to get to the point where you want to be. That is a long time to work towards something without seeing any payoff. Try motivating yourself by periodically rewarding yourself for reaching certain milestones. For example, when you have lost half the weight you want to, treat yourself to a relaxing massage or a fun weekend getaway.

Enter a competition

Competition can be a great motivator. Try entering a weight loss competition to keep yourself motivated. A recent study showed that team-based weight loss competitions helped participants lose 20 percent more weight than those who worked solo. Try organizing a group of friends or coworkers to form a weight loss team, and watch the pounds melt off.

At Spunk Fitness, we know how difficult weight loss can be, but we can help you stay motivated with our gym membership. Come into Spunk Fitness today for a motivational workout!