A couple of weeks ago, in my Slimming World group, one of my fellow slimmers mentioned how she has created a motivation board to help keep her on track during the week.
I’m not sure why, but this really struck a note with me – so I came home and started thinking about what to do.
Pinterest turned out to be a great source of ideas – here’s the pinboard I created if you’d like to see what others have done:
Follow Shannon’s board Motivation on Pinterest.
I decided that I would put my motivation board on the inside of one of the kitchen cupboard doors. That way, it is easily accessible in the room with all the temptation – but it’s also easy to hide away if we have visitors. In addition, it’s a big empty space and we’re severely lacking wall space.
Next, I had a think about what elements I wanted to include:
- A way to track each pound I lost
- A way to reward myself for every few pounds lost
- A place to record my food diary each day
- A place to put my weekly goal – to keep it in mind
- A list of snack ideas
- A list of snack alternatives
- A place to write down my long-term goals
- A place to write down things that motivate me
My next step was to go buy supplies. This meant going *slightly* mad in the scrapbooking department at Wilkinsons. I got some colourful paper and a set to create mini paper bunting. I also bought a small white board and a plastic pouch.
Then it was time to go home and assemble it all.
The little bunting pieces are for tracking my weight loss. Each one represents a pound. On the backs of some, I put little rewards – non-food items that I could treat myself to when I lost a bit of weight. Like a bottle of nail polish or a bath bomb.
Those went into the plastic pouch, which in turn went on to the cupboard door. Underneath the pouch, I hung a bit of string. Each time I lose a pound, I’ll pull a piece of bunting out and attach it to the string (and write the number). This randomises the rewards a bit and also gives me a way to visualise the losses a bit more.
Also, this is really weird, but I’m crazy-motivated to hanging the bunting. On Saturday after my weigh-in, I couldn’t wait to get home to put the little pieces of paper on the string. I know, I’m a odd-ball.
Plus, I think I’d be legitimately sad if I gained a pound and had to take a piece of bunting off the string. Whatever works for me, I guess. Right?
Then I put of the rest of the items. I love the little chalkboard stickers that I used for writing down last week’s results and this week’s goal – I got those from the wedding department at Hobbycraft sometime last year.
I haven’t finished writing out the various lists on the papers. I caught myself feeling a little self-conscious about writing them, knowing they’d be photographed for a blog post… so I’ll do that later. I also like the idea of having the board be a work-in-progress.
Finally, there’s plenty of empty space for me to add other things – I’m thinking about motivational quotes, a list of favourite SW-friendly meals or other things, but I’ll see what works. Since everything’s attached with Blue-tack, I can easily make changes.
What a great idea!! I’m also a Slimming World member and after weeks of being up and down I think I’m finally back on track. This would be a great way to keep me motivated. I adore your bunting and would definitely be like you and become a bit obsessive about getting a new piece up there every week! Well done on your Slimming World journey so far
xo
Thanks, Louise. Well done for getting back on track – I find myself feeling really motivated at the beginning of the week, but falling off plan within a few days. This has really helped. Who would have thought a couple of pieces of paper bunting would do the trick?![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)