Many people want and need to lose weight but seem to lack the strength to stick to an action plan. Fortunately, self motivation is a skill that can be learned. Here is one way you may be able to increase your commitment to actually keep the weight loss resolutions you have previously broken -- or avoided making.

Before you begin the procedure described below, read a few articles on principles related to weight loss. Many can be found on the Internet. Then write down your specific weight loss plan for the next six months. Include in the plan how you want to think, feel, and act with regard to weight loss. Answer these questions in writing: What and how will I eat? How, where, and when will I exercise? How will I deal with discouragement? distraction? How much weight will I lose? Don't be afraid to be optimistic, but make sure your goals are realistic and not overwhelming. They should be doable. Check with your doctor to make sure they are reasonable and do not involve any health risks. If you have a related mental health issue such as an eating disorder, you should also consult with a mental health professional. Think about the ways weight loss can improve your life.

This probably isn't the first article you have read related to weight loss motivation. Add these suggestions to those that you have learned about from other sources. Your chances for success may increase as you combine rather than replace self motivational techniques. Print a copy of this article so you can follow the directions as you go through the following procedure. Repeat it as often as you want, varying it as needed to recharge your commitment to succeed.

Start by setting aside about twenty minutes of uninterrupted time. Avoiding interruptions by disconnecting your phone and turning off your cell phone, etc. may help you gain the motivational benefits of intense focus. Take two comfortable chairs and arrange them facing each other about five feet apart. You will be moving back and forth between them. Place a copy of the weight loss questions and answers you wrote previously by one of the chairs. You may wish to have a friend guide you through this so you can be more focused.

If you can, play relaxing (lyric free) music. Relaxation may also help you be more focused. The more comfortable you are the easier it may be to repeat this process. Sit down in the chair by your weight loss questions and answers. Review your goals, questions, and answers. Ponder again the many benefits you will receive from losing weight. Take a few deep breaths and augment your relaxation.

Then, look at the other chair. Imagine that you see your future self six months from now sitting there. Your future self has met your goals -- has succeeded at losing weight. Try to guess how your future self feels about the success. Ask your future self (either out loud or in your mind) each of the following questions and any others that you feel may be helpful.

1. As you look back over the past six months, how do you feel about your weight loss success?

2. What obstacles to losing weight did you face? How did you overcome them?

3. How did you make sure that you remembered your goals?

4. What did you say to yourself and what did you visualize on days when you felt discouraged?

5. How did you restart when you got distracted?

6. How did you maintain focus on weight loss for six full months?

Take a few deep breaths and give your future self a minute or two to think about your questions. Then move to the opposite chair, sit down, and relax again.

Now that you are in the opposite chair, be your future self. Get into the part -- play the role. Let the impact of the last six months of success sink deep into your system. Enjoy the feeling. Look across to the opposite chair and imagine you see yourself six months ago. Your previous self in the opposite chair is seeking the motivation that empowered you to lose weight. To get build that motivation, your previous self has asked you some questions. If you answer them honestly, enthusiastically, and in detail, you can encourage your previous self to achieve the success that you now enjoy.

Answer the questions one at a time. Specifically, talk to your previous self about:

1. How good it feels to have succeeded and why

2. Each of the obstacles you encountered and why they had to be faced

3. What you did to meet and overcome those obstacles

4. How you were able to remember and maintain focus on your weight loss plan

5. What you said to yourself and what you visualized when you needed extra motivation

6. How you restarted your plan after times when you were momentarily distracted

When you have finished answering the questions, give your previous self a pep talk. Say whatever you feel may help your previous self have the desire and determination to lose weight.

Relax, take a few deep breaths, and give your previous self a minute or two to process what you have shared. Then move back to the opposite chair, sit down, and relax again.

You are back to being your present self, but you probably have a greater awareness of what success will feel like and how to achieve it. Thank your future self for the encouragement. Look at your weight loss questions and answers. Honestly assess how ready you are to implement the weight loss plan you have developed. If your readiness is greater but still less than 100% you may wish to repeat this procedure.