Lesson 2
Find your why
If you’ve tried to lose weight before, you know that motivation can be the hardest part of the journey—not just finding the motivation to start, but keeping it going long enough to make your results last.
And that makes sense. You’ve already seen that quick-fixes don’t work—and trying to make changes that last a lifetime means there will be days when the inspiration just isn’t there.
Well, it turns out that there’s a secret tool that’s been clinically proven to help your motivation—and your results—last.
What is it?
Finding your Why.
What is your Why?
When we talk about types of motivation, we break it down into two types:
Intrinsic motivation is a drive that comes from within yourself—like a personal desire to feel healthier.
Extrinsic motivation comes from factors outside yourself—like the opinions of other people.
Can you guess which type of motivation is more effective for healthy weight loss that lasts?
That’s right—multiple studies show that people who are driven by intrinsic motivation are more likely to not only be satisfied with their weight loss attempts, but also to maintain that success down the road (Teixiera, 2012).
Your Why is SO important to your journey! It’s the inspiration you can turn to on the days when things feel too hard—reminding you not of what you should do, but of why what you want from this journey is so worth it.
Your Why gives you the power to take control of your health.
‘Why’ examples
Your Why might be unique to you or it might be similar to someone else’s—and that’s okay!
What matters most is that your Why inspires and is important to you.
Some Why examples include:
“I want to feel healthier.”
“I want to have the energy to keep up with my kids or grandkids.”
“I want to avoid the health problems that my family member had.”
“I want to feel more confident.”
Activity: Find your Why
Now that you know how important intrinsic motivation is to weight loss success, it’s time to dig deep and find yours. It’s time to find your Why!
First, grab a pen and paper. Take three slow, deep breaths, then close your eyes. Picture yourself feeling healthy and fit. What does it feel like—not just physically, but also emotionally? How does this healthy, fit, future you feel in terms of confidence? How are your relationships at home and work? What can you see yourself doing better or differently than you can now?
Write down what resonates with you most when you visualize this healthy, fit, future self. These feelings that strike a chord with you are your intrinsic motivation—they’re your Why.
Once you know your Why, send it to your Ro-affiliated Coaching Team.
You might see that over time, your Why changes. That’s okay! Our reasons for doing things are allowed to change as our journey continues. But for now, this Why is what’s important to you—so hold it dear to your heart and run with it!
Sources
Teixeira, P. J., Silva, M. N., Mata, J., Palmeira, A. L., & Markland, D. (2012). Motivation, self-determination, and long-term weight control. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 9, 22. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-9-22. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312817/
More from part 1
Strong foundations
These lessons about your medication, discovering your unique Body Story, finding your personal inspiration, and our foundational approach to nutrition are the building blocks for your Ro Body journey.
