Embarking on a weight loss journey is, without a doubt, one of the most transformative and challenging experiences I have ever undertaken. It has been a journey of ups and downs, triumphs and setbacks, and countless lessons learned along the way.

Today, I want to share my experiences and what has helped me stay motivated through it all. If you find yourself struggling to stay on track, know that you’re not alone.

I’m right there with you, and I hope these personal insights will give you some ideas and encouragement.

Setting Realistic Goals: Small Steps for Big Changes

The first thing I had to learn was the importance of setting realistic goals. At the start, it was so tempting to make lofty promises to myself, like losing 30 pounds in a month. That kind of thinking set me up for disappointment.

Instead, I shifted my mindset to focus on small, achievable goals—like losing two pounds a week or simply taking a walk every day. Not only did this approach help me feel more accomplished, but it also set me up for sustainable progress.

To keep track of my progress, I bought myself a Fitbit Inspire 3 (available on Amazon). It was a game-changer for me. Setting a daily step goal made me feel like I had a tangible target, and seeing my steps add up every day was incredibly rewarding.

Every small victory kept me motivated to continue, which ultimately led to bigger changes over time.

Finding Exercise I Actually Enjoyed

I spent years forcing myself into workouts I thought were “supposed” to be effective—long sessions on the treadmill, lifting weights I hated, or doing boot camp exercises that made me dread the gym. The reality was, I couldn’t stay motivated with workouts I despised.

The turning point came when I decided to explore exercises that felt fun and exciting. I signed up for a Zumba DVD set that I found on Amazon, and suddenly, working out became something I looked forward to. The music, the dance moves, and the energy helped me stay committed.

I also tried a lot of different activities—yoga, swimming, hiking, and even some good old kickboxing in my garage. I realized that variety was my secret to staying motivated.

It kept me from getting bored, and I discovered that some days I preferred a calming yoga session while on others, a high-energy boxing workout did the trick. Listening to what my body needed, instead of punishing it, made exercise more sustainable.

Developing a Positive Relationship with Food

Another major shift that kept me motivated was changing my relationship with food. At first, I fell into the trap of restrictive dieting, cutting out carbs entirely, or avoiding any sweets at all.

It led to stress, and whenever I “messed up,” I’d feel like a failure. It took me time, but I finally realized that food isn’t the enemy—it’s fuel. I started to approach food in a more balanced way, incorporating more nutritious, whole foods while still allowing myself the occasional treat.

One tool that really helped me during this transition was the Instant Pot, which I bought on Amazon. It made healthy cooking so much easier, and I found myself enjoying meal prepping on Sundays, getting creative with healthy recipes, and making delicious soups and stews.

Having healthy meals on hand kept me from reaching for junk food when I was too tired to cook, and it made me realize that healthy eating didn’t have to be boring or restrictive.

Creating a Reward System

One of the most motivating aspects of my journey has been the reward system I put in place for myself. Every time I reached a small milestone—whether it was a five-pound loss or sticking to my meal plan for a week—I’d reward myself.

But here’s the key: I didn’t reward myself with food. Instead, I chose rewards that felt like acts of self-love and empowerment.

For example, after losing my first ten pounds, I bought myself a yoga mat with a beautiful design. It inspired me to start doing yoga regularly and served as a reminder of how far I’d come.

Another time, I gifted myself a set of dumbbells in pretty colors because I wanted to start incorporating strength training into my routine. Treating myself in non-food ways helped me see my progress as a series of positive lifestyle changes rather than a cycle of reward and punishment.

Staying Accountable with Support

Staying motivated also meant I had to find ways to stay accountable. For me, having people who supported my journey made a huge difference. I joined a few online communities, where people shared their victories and struggles.

There’s something so powerful about seeing others work towards their goals. The support I found online helped me stay on track, especially during the times when my motivation felt shaky.

I also found a workout buddy. My best friend and I decided to hold each other accountable, and we’d do video calls after our workouts to check in. This way, even on days when I wanted to skip a workout, I knew I’d have to explain it to her. There’s nothing like a bit of friendly peer pressure to keep you moving forward.

Another useful purchase from Amazon was a bullet journal. I used it to track my workouts, food, and overall mood. It’s amazing how seeing everything laid out in one place can give you perspective and make you realize how much progress you’ve actually made—even on days when it feels like you’re getting nowhere.

Handling Setbacks with Grace

No journey is complete without setbacks, and staying motivated meant learning to handle setbacks with grace rather than letting them derail me. I’ve had weeks where I gained weight, days when I binged on snacks, or periods where I simply couldn’t bring myself to exercise. In the past, these setbacks would have made me give up entirely, but I learned to approach these moments differently.

Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, I learned to see them as part of the process. Everyone slips up. It’s what you do after the setback that truly matters. I would remind myself that progress isn’t linear and that taking one step back didn’t erase the 20 steps forward I’d already taken.

One thing that really helped was journaling about how I felt during setbacks. The bullet journal became a place to express my frustrations, my fears, and my determination to keep going.

Finding Inspiration in Non-Scale Victories

One thing I wish I’d learned earlier is that weight loss is not just about a number on the scale. I used to obsess over what the scale said, and when it didn’t move the way I wanted, it made me feel demoralized.

However, focusing on non-scale victories changed everything.

Some of my favorite non-scale victories have been fitting into an old pair of jeans I hadn’t worn in years, running up a flight of stairs without getting winded, or even just having more energy throughout the day. I celebrated these moments with as much excitement as I would any weight loss milestone.

In fact, some of these victories meant more to me because they reflected my body becoming stronger and healthier, which is ultimately the real goal.

I also noticed improvements in my mental health. I felt less anxious, slept better, and had more confidence in myself.

Those are the victories that don’t show up on the scale, but they mean everything.

Embracing Self-Compassion

One of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned about staying motivated during a weight loss journey is the power of self-compassion. There will be days when we don’t do as well as we’d hoped—maybe we skip a workout, eat something we regret, or just feel less motivated. In those moments, self-compassion is the difference between giving up and getting back up.

When I would fall off track, I used to beat myself up mentally, telling myself I’d never reach my goals.

But over time, I realized that treating myself with kindness helped me get back on track faster. Instead of criticizing myself, I’d remind myself that I’m human and that no one is perfect.

Mistakes are part of the journey, and they don’t define me. They are simply moments to learn from.

To reinforce this sense of self-compassion, I started reading self-help books about mindset and positivity. One of my favorites is “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, which I purchased on Amazon. This book helped me understand how small changes and healthy habits could snowball into significant improvements over time.

It reinforced the importance of treating myself gently while focusing on gradual progress.

Vision Boards and Keeping the Dream Alive

Visualization has also been a powerful tool for me. There’s something about seeing your dreams and goals laid out that makes them feel more real and achievable. I decided to create a vision board for my weight loss journey.

I included images of the clothes I wanted to fit into, activities I wanted to be able to do (like hiking in the mountains), and words that made me feel strong and capable.

I placed the vision board in my bedroom, where I could see it every morning when I woke up and every night before I went to sleep. It helped me stay connected to my “why”—the reason I started this journey in the first place.

Whenever I felt my motivation dwindling, I’d take a few moments to look at the board and remind myself of what I was working towards. It was a powerful reminder that kept me focused.

Building Long-Lasting Habits

Ultimately, staying motivated during my weight loss journey came down to building habits that supported my goals.

Instead of relying on willpower—which, let’s face it, is often fleeting—I focused on creating routines that made it easier for me to make healthy choices automatically. I made sure my environment worked for me rather than against me.

I kept healthy snacks on hand, laid out my workout clothes the night before, and made a point of planning my meals for the week.

One small but impactful habit was investing in a water bottle with time markers that I found on Amazon. Staying hydrated made a huge difference in how I felt, and having a water bottle that reminded me to keep drinking made it easier to reach my daily water intake goals.

Instead of forcing myself to suddenly adopt a new lifestyle overnight, I made gradual changes—adding more vegetables, committing to just 10 minutes of exercise a day, getting enough sleep, and drinking more water. These habits, practiced over time, built a strong foundation for my journey and helped me stay motivated, even when the going got tough.

Wrapping Up: The Power of Patience and Self-Love

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about staying motivated during a weight loss journey, it’s that it’s not just about the physical changes. It’s about transforming your mindset, building resilience, and learning to love yourself at every stage of the process.

Motivation will ebb and flow, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to keep showing up for yourself, day after day, and to remember that every step—no matter how small—is progress.

Weight loss isn’t a linear journey; it’s a winding road full of detours, lessons, and beautiful moments of growth. I’ve had to learn to appreciate the journey rather than just focus on the destination. And you know what? That’s made all the difference.

I hope that by sharing my story, you’ve found a bit of inspiration to keep moving forward on your own journey.

Remember: you are capable, you are strong, and you deserve to feel proud of every step you take—no matter how big or small.