How do you get motivated and active in physical activity and weight loss?  A recently published research report identifies some key psychosocial factors that appear to be the most effective in promoting change.

• High self-efficacy – believing and having confidence that you can change and become more active
• Enlisting social support – exercising with a buddy, getting help and support from family and friends
• Committing yourself – making a formal decision and commitment to be more physically active and improve diet, setting goals, and logging progress
• Rewarding yourself – having built-in incentives for reaching your predetermined goals
• Reminding yourself – developing systems for reminding yourself of personal goals
• Removing barriers – using problem solving to remove barriers to physical activity or improved nutrition, such as time, effort, money, and other obstacles
• Increasing knowledge about fitness – learning health benefits, how to exercise, etc.

Source: Med Science Sports Medicine (May 2006),38:971-80.