How do I get motivated?

This one of the most frequent questions asked by Slimtrack users. We have good news: You've already taken the first steps. In fact, Slimtrack is in itself a collection of motivational tools.

Simply put, motivation is a desire for a result that is so strong that it leads to action and ultimately results in reaching a goal. This means:

1. If you've been thinking of trying to lose unwanted weight for weeks, months or even years, but have not actually done anything about it, then you are not motivated.

2. If you cannot envision a realistic and desirable goal as the result of your efforts, then you will not become motivated.

3. If you have a goal, but no clear plan of action on how to achieve it, then you won't stay motivated.

Point (1) is about having the desire to lose weight. Of course you want to lose weight, but is that desire strong enough? Do you really understand all the consequences of being overweight? Do you understand that being overweight adds tremendously to your risk of serious illness or disease? That it reduces your life expectancy? That it detracts from your quality of life? That losing weight can make you feel years younger? That even a slight weight loss will have tremendous and immediate benefits?

If you still need convincing, Slimtrack's regular articles on these issues will help you strengthen your desire to lose weight. So will reading the comments from other Slimtrack users on the community forums.

If your desire to lose weight is really strong enough, you can go to Point (2): Setting a realistic goal. "Realistic" means achievable and without putting your health at risk. If you are a registered user, you have already been awarded a daily kilojoule allowance based on your body mass index, how much weight you need to lose and at what pace. If you have not updated your profile with your current weight in a while, go do so now - it's a great motivator in itself!

Some other tips to strengthen your resolve: Look at yourself in the mirror every day. Find a picture of yourself looking your slim best and look at that every day as well. You can even keep this picture in your purse or somewhere else where you'll see it every time you want to buy some fattening snack.

Lastly, you already have the clear plan of action that Point (3) requires: Your Slimtrack food and exercise diaries. Even if you have not begun to eat better or to exercise more, updating these every day is a great way to motivate you towards a healthier lifestyle and is quick and easy to do. The daily habit of updating your diaries will soon become the daily habit of balancing your "kilojoule budget" - and thus sustained weight loss.

Every time you lose motivation and give up - and it happens to everyone - simply log in at www.slimtrack.co.za, work your way through these three points again and resume your online plan of action. The Slimtrack tools will give you the facts about your progress and what you need to do to reach your goals, the rest is up to you!