by Laura Leigh Fields

Created on: August 29, 2008

I have always been a firm believer that diets were invented to punish us for past misdeeds. They aren't always the easiest things in the world to stick to and temptation is around every chocolate-coated corner. Those who have ever attempted a diet know that weight loss isn't always a simple feat. Because of this, even losing a pound at a time is a milestone.

There is no better feeling than getting on a scale and having to take a second look because you have dropped some weight. It is hard not to get excited. It probably even comes natural. It should. A person should be proud of his or her self for accomplishing a task or completing a goal.

Excitement can come in many shapes and forms. It is how you deal with something great that has happened to you. Excitement is a great feeling. It can boost a person's self-confidence and gives them a reason to believe. When it comes to being excited there is no how.

There are many ways that you can get excited about weight loss. You can celebrate. You can write a testimony about how you did it. You could keep a journal that tracks your success. Complete it with before, during, and after pictures along the way. You can even set a new goal for additional weight loss if you are still not at the point you wish you were.

Get excited by rewarding yourself. If you have reached your ultimate goal, you can award yourself with a new wardrobe or just one pair of pants (depending on your budget.) You could even opt for a simple treat such as a bubble bath by candlelight. If you are resetting your goal you could even consider treating yourself to a gym membership.

Use your excitement to motivate you to achieve other goals (even if they don't relate to weight loss.) You have proved to yourself that you can do what you set out to. Don't let anything hold you back now. Stick to your plans with full speed ahead.

Food is good but you should avoid being tempted by the wrong items. This is the diet's subconscious way of trying to win. If you reward yourself for weight loss with food you are only contributing to the beginning of a never-ending cycle. You lost the weight. You are in charge. Don't let your guard down now.

The most important thing of all to remember is that losing weight is often easier than keeping it off (and neither are really that easy.) A diet isn't always a temporary thing. Even if you have lost the weight that you want to you need to maintain your new size and shape. If you go back to the way things were you are likely to gain back those pounds and perhaps a few extra.

Stay focused and don't forget where you came from. You don't want to set yourself up for a fall. You know you can do it. The scales don't lie. Encourage yourself and pat your own back. The more the days go by, the easier it will get. Before you know it a diet will be your lifestyle and not a punishment. You will be happier, healthier, and things will seem simpler because they will be.

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