Here are some great motivational weight loss tips. They will not only get you started on your weight loss journey, they will help you to stay motivated and inspired. Motivation is the main ingredient that determines your success in weight loss. Ready, Set, Get Motivated ...

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 1:

Congratulations! You've decided to lose weight. The first thing you need to do is sit down with pen and paper and make a list of ALL the reasons you will succeed. List everything that you will gain by losing weight - such as being healthier, looking great in clothes, fitting into that little black dress etc.

Pull out the items that really tug at your heart. These are your strongest desires and wishes. List them on a couple 3x5 cards. Put the 3x5 cards around your home where you will see them often. Keep one in your wallet. Read them as often as possible through out the day.

At least twice during the day - preferably at night and in the morning you will want to read the list out loud. Read with emotion, at how happy and grateful you will be when you've reached your goal.

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 2:

Keep a food journal. Most successful dieters will tell you, that they kept a food journal. It helps you to become conscious of what you are eating. If you write down your feelings while eating it also helps you determine the why ... Are you eating out of hunger or out of emotion?

The food journal serves as a diary for you to remember how far you have came. When you're having a hard time, you can look at it and see all of the success you have had. This will motivate you to keep on going. It also can help you decide what to eat to lose weight if/when you hit that dreaded weight loss plateau.

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 3:

Reward Yourself along the way. Your rewards should be non food related. Good rewards should be something you enjoy and consider a treat. Maybe a long hot bubble bath, a day at the spa, a new haircut, getting your nails done or going to see a movie. It could also revolve around your favorite hobbies such as playing a round of golf at your favorite course, a day of fishing or bowling. You could buy a new CD or book.

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 4:

Pay yourself. This is a type of reward, but goes further. Get a large glass container and secure the lid where you have to break it, to get into it. Each day that you follow your meal plan, pay yourself a set amount. This can be anything from a dime to ten dollars. Each day you exercise you'll pay yourself a predetermined amount. It's fun and exciting to watch the money grow. It gives you satisfaction knowing that once you reach your goal weight - you can break open your bank and buy a new wardrobe, or something else that you have your heart set on.

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 5:

Keep it simple. Don't try to follow to strict of a weight loss plan or a complicated one. If you can't live with out carbs, don't try to go on a low carb diet. Your diet plan needs to be one that fits your personal likes and dislikes. It needs to be customizable to your lifestyle. Find a weight loss plan like this and it will be easy for you to stay on track because you wont feel as if you're giving anything up.

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 6:

Have a cheat day. Most successful dieters state that they have set aside one day a week to have whatever they want. This is not permission to binge. It's simply a day where you can have your favorite dessert, high calorie foods like pizza, or a night at your favorite restaurant. Having this day to look forward to helps you stay on track the rest of the week. You're not denying yourself of these foods, you are simply limiting when you have them. It also helps you ride the wave when cravings hit. Know that cravings will disappear after about ten minutes by turning your attention elsewhere.

Motivational Weight Loss Tip 7:

Use the Buddy System. Reporting to a friend your successes and set backs on a daily basis can do wonders. It motivates you to stay on track, so you can give a good report at the end of the day.

It's also easier to stay on a diet and exercise plan if you have a friend doing it with you. You can share your dreams and your fears with each other, to stay inspired and motivated.

There are many online forums and diet program that offer nutritionists and support on a 24 hour basis. You might want to check into one. Researchers found that dieters who received weekly e-mail counseling shed 5 1/2 more pounds than those who got none. Many online programs also offer cool tools and trackers that makes it a snap to lose weight.

Author's Bio: 

Cindy Holbrook is the web mistress of http://HonestDietReviews.com where you will find a variety of weight loss tips , tricks and articles; as well as Unbiased Diet Reviews. Get your Bonus Book "Overcoming Barriers to Weight Loss" when you Sign up for the free newsletter Weekly Diet Tips