From Resolutions to Reality: How to Stay Motivated on Your Health Journey
Struggling with weight loss? Most people give up by February, but real success comes from consistency, not perfection. Learn how Rich Ward lost 50+ lbs, broke through plateaus, and stayed motivated—without giving up the foods he loves. Ready to take control? Read now!
New Year’s resolutions: we all make them, but let’s be real—most of us abandon them before Valentine’s Day. The top three resolutions every year? Lose weight, make more money, and improve relationships. Sound familiar?
In today’s article, we’re focusing on health and fitness—how to break through the excuses, stay motivated, and actually stick to your goals long-term. Rich shares his weight loss journey, the wake-up call that changed everything, and how he built a system that works for him (and can work for you, too). If you’ve ever struggled with staying consistent, keep reading!
The Breaking Point: When Change Becomes Non-Negotiable
Rich spent 30 years unhappy with his weight. He made promise after promise to himself, but it wasn’t until a defining moment that he finally took action.
"My dad was shorter and lighter than me, but it got to a point where he couldn't even support his own weight anymore. I tried to lift him up and hurt my back. At that moment, I thought, ‘There’s no way I can ask my wife to help me off the ground if I ever get to this point.’ That was my wake-up call."
Maybe your wake-up call hasn’t happened yet. Maybe you’re waiting for some "perfect" time to start. But why wait? The best time to make a change is right now—before it’s forced upon you.
Why Most People Struggle With Weight Loss
We all know the drill. You start a diet, you cut out sugar, you hit the gym, and then… life happens. You get busy. You get frustrated. You "fall off the wagon" and think, I’ll start again on Monday.
Here’s the truth: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.
Rich tried countless diets and workout programs before something finally clicked. His secret? Simplicity. He focused on small, manageable steps that he could build into his daily life.
"I used an app to track my food, and at first, I thought I needed way more than I actually did. But once I adjusted my portions and started exercising, I saw real progress. It wasn’t about starving myself—it was about balance."
Key Takeaways: ✅ Start small. Cut portions slightly instead of completely restricting yourself.
✅ Don’t punish yourself for bad days. One meal won’t ruin your progress.
✅ Find movement you enjoy. Exercise doesn’t have to be miserable!
Breaking Through the "Plateau Wall"
Ah, the dreaded weight loss plateau—when you feel like you’re doing everything right, but the scale won’t budge. It’s frustrating, right? But the key is to keep going.
"I lost about 25 pounds, then hit a plateau that lasted two months. It was discouraging, but I adjusted my calories, changed my workouts, and finally broke through. Now, I’m down to 248 pounds and pushing toward my next goal."
How to Push Through a Plateau:
📉 Adjust your food intake. Sometimes, your body adapts, and you need to tweak your portions or food choices.
🏋️♂️ Switch up your workouts. If you’ve been doing the same thing, your body might need a new challenge.
🧠 Mindset is everything. Focus on non-scale victories like better sleep, more energy, or fitting into old clothes.
Motivation vs. Discipline: What REALLY Keeps You Going
Most people think motivation is the secret to success, but here’s the thing—motivation fades. What really keeps you going is discipline and a system that works for you.
"At first, working out every day was a struggle. Some days I felt like I was on the elliptical for hours when it was only 45 minutes. But over time, it became part of my routine. Now, if I skip a workout, I feel worse than if I just push through."
If you struggle with consistency, schedule your workouts like meetings you can’t miss. Treat them like non-negotiable appointments with yourself.
What Can You Add Instead of Take Away?
One of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing on what they can’t have instead of what they can. Instead of feeling deprived, think about what you can add to your routine.
For Rich, one of the biggest game-changers was juicing.
"I gave up having Monster energy drinks every morning and replaced them with fresh juice. I thought I’d miss the caffeine, but I actually feel better now. We even linked our favorite juicer in our Amazon storefront because we love it so much!"
Try This: 🥤 Add a healthy smoothie or fresh juice to your day.
🍏 Increase your protein intake to feel fuller, longer.
🚶♂️ Add movement—walk more, stretch, or do short workouts.
Choose Your Hard: The Truth About Long-Term Success
Losing weight is hard. Feeling sluggish, out of shape, and unhealthy is also hard.
At the end of the day, you get to choose your hard.
"Having low energy, aching joints, and feeling stuck? That’s hard. But so is pushing through a tough workout. The difference is—one hard keeps you stuck, and the other moves you forward. So which hard will you choose?"
If you’re ready to take control of your health and mindset, we invite you to join us on this journey. Check out our Amazon storefront for our favorite fitness tools and juicing must-haves, or reach out if you need coaching and accountability to hit your goals.
Small steps lead to big results. Start today. 💪
What’s Next?
✅ Want more guidance? Rich has spots open for 1:1 coaching to help you stay accountable.
✅ Curious about juicing? Check out our Amazon storefront for the juicer we love!
✅ Need inspiration? Listen to the full Life by Design podcast episode for more real talk and motivation.
Let us know—what’s the biggest challenge in your health journey right now? Drop a comment below! ⬇️
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