Motivation Monday: Bikini (one-piece) Ready!

Last week it was all about your spring wardrobe - this week? Swimsuits! Each day will be dedicated to getting yourself bikini (or one-piece, tankini, monokini, burqini) ready. What ever "kini" you desire to sport, that will be our goal.

But today will specifically be about getting yourself motivated; hence, motivation Monday. Look how clever I am?!

First thing is first: set a goal. Make it attainable. Do you desire to lose 20-pounds? Two-dress sizes? Or, just feel more comfortable in your clothes. Whatever it is, set a realistic (AND HEALTHY) goal. And, give yourself a time frame (i.e., by June 30 I will lose 10-pounds). Keep in mind it is easy (well, easier) to be motivated to lose weight when you no longer fit into your favorite jeans. The problem is maintaining said motivation, especially if you are not seeing desired results. The trick? Take action physically and mentally.

This segues into the second step: change your mindset. The truth is that taking action will yield mediocre results if you do not employ positive thoughts. The mystery of success is hidden in this simple proverb, “as you think, so you become." Your reality responds to the thoughts in your mind. If you don’t have the ideal body weight, it is more to do with your thinking than the food you are eating. See if you have these thought patterns going on.

• Are you constantly worried about your weight?
• Do you think about gaining weight every time you put some tasty food in your mouth?
• Are you constantly complaining about your body weight?
• When you meet people do you compare your body weight with them (in your mind)?
• Do find it difficult to believe that it’s easy to lose weight?
• When you see yourself in the mirror do you have negative feelings about your body?

The surprising thing? Most of these thoughts are subconscious, especially if you have been working to lose weight for a long time. These thoughts sabotage your motivation.

Third step: cultivate positive thoughts. Before you take action, you need to change your attitude and thought processes; align the aforementioned with your desired end result. Not sure how to accomplish this change in behavior? Here are some examples - look in the mirror and say these out loud.

• I do not need struggle or suffer to lose weight. My focus is to enjoy life and feel good. As I become joyful and release my stress, I will be able to lose weight more easily.
• I can change my reality by changing my thoughts. Thus, if I want a well-toned body, I must visualize it.

The most important thing is to make peace with your body and relish life - heck, our days are not promised and life moves quickly. And remember: with every challenge brings with it the seed of liberation and success. Always remember that the action you take is not as important as the thoughts you think.

And from PopSugar, here are 50 tangible ways to stay motivated in your journey to becoming a healthier you!