After working all day or driving your kids from school to after-school practice to their friend's house and back, then picking up groceries and making dinner and cleaning up, it is easy to lose motivation to do any sort of physical activity.

Sometimes it is tough to get even an ounce of motivation! That is why today we want to discuss some techniques and strategies that help you get motivated.

A big part of the Strip That Fat diet system is dedicated to motivation. I know first hand from working with many successful dieters that motivation leads to greater dieting success, so we have incorporated this as part of the dieting process.

Alright, so how do you get yourself up off the couch and motivated? Here are some ideas to help keep you motivated along the way:

1. Reward Yourself... with non-food rewards that you will look forward to and enjoy. It can be something like a new book or clothing item, or something like a lazy Saturday of watching movies in bed. By marking a goal for, say, each five pounds you lose, you will begin to correlate reaching your goals with a pleasurable experience.

2. Keep track of your progress... by either using a spread sheet or diet and exercise journal, the idea being that keeping an eye on your progress will help keep you motivated because you will see that all of your hard work is paying off! By looking back at how far you've come, you're less likely to revert to old habits. Additionally, if you keep careful records, you will be able to catch slip-ups in your calorie counting or exercise habits that, left unchecked, could cause a major plateau or weight gain.

3. Don't let people get you off track.... There will always be friends and family or even co-workers that will encourage you to go off your diet "just this once..." Don't! If you are getting this type of pressure, try to plan non-food activities with loved ones, and try to stay away from the office lounge (or bring healthy snacks) when you are working. If you do go out for lunch or dinner, try to eat a healthy snack before you go, so that you are not tempted to give into the others persuasion.

4. Think of the positives... Take a moment and try to remember why you started on your weight loss journey:

• Focus on the objective

• Focus on the goal

• Focus on your aim

• Focus on your destination

Some of the positives you will get from healthier living? You will:

• Have more energy

• Sleep better

• Concentrate better and longer

• Have more strength

• Have better blood circulation

• Lower cholesterol

• Prevent Cancer

• Breathe better

• Live a longer life

When you remember these things, you will get some much needed wind back in your sail and will be ready to get back on track.

5. Realize how far you've come... Often, people don't realize just how much weight actually weighs, and how much they've lost. If you have lost "only" 20 pounds, fill a shopping bag with 20 pounds of books and carry them up and down the stairs a few times. You will feel that 20 pounds is actually a lot! The next time you feel uninspired, fill a shopping bag or two with the amount of weight you've lost (or want to lose) and carry them around. You will be amazed at what you've lost!

These 5 motivational tips will help you through the hardest part of losing weight and keeping fit. Another great idea?

Have a support network, such as Strip That Fat (http://www.stripthatfat.fatlosstipssite.com) You can sign up for Strip That Fat, and you will be provided with your own personal diet generator, exercising tips and ideas, a calorie worksheet, and best of all, one on one support, so if you ever have a question, or are just getting bummed out, you can send an email and STF will help you get back on your way to a healthier you!