This time last year I’d just lost 19kg (40+lb) in a three-month period and was feeling highly motivated despite still having as much (if not more) weight yet to lose.

How that motivation waned or unravelled I’ll never know (and I definitely didn’t know that in September my father would be hospitalized and pass away exactly six weeks later).

Losing weight is never easy and it’s challenging when you have a lot to lose because the journey seems endless (which of course it is).

Today I am delighted to share a guest post from Caitlin Heikkila from Everyday Health who is sharing with us some tips for staying on course and hanging in there when you’ve got a lot of weight to lose.

You’ve decided. You’re ready to lose weight—not two pounds, not 10, but a large number that you may not even want to say out loud. Having big, ambitious goals is a good thing, but it can also stir up feelings of panic and frustration before you even begin. And that’s not a good way to start, right?

Here are some ways you can stay motivated to stick to those big goals through thick and thin (hopefully more thin!).

1. Break it up. Say you have 100 pounds to lose, break it up into 10 pound increments to make things more attainable. Taking 10 pounds at a time is much less scary than staring the whole 100 in the face.

2. Celebrate your NSVs (aka your non-scale victories). Did you lose an inch in your hips? Feel like your shorts are a little looser? Choose fruit over double fudge brownies? You’re winning your battle one NSV at a time. Reward yourself with a new book, new pump-up music, or maybe new workout gear!

3. Pace yourself. A good weight loss plan takes time. It’s not a race; keep things slow and steady. A one to three pounds per week is a healthy weight loss pace. Quick weight loss is not realistic or sustainable.

4. Find a buddy with similar goals. It will be much easier to stay motivated with someone else going through a similar journey. Here’s a great place to find support from others with 50+ pounds to lose.

5. Make a schedule. If you plan your meals and workouts in advance, you’ll be much more likely to stick to them. Physically write them on your calendar as you would a doctor’s appointment or a work meeting.

6. Have fun. If you think of weight loss as a chore, it will be a chore. Try a fun workout class, walk your dog, cook a new recipe, make a fun playlist for workouts. A positive attitude will get you to your goals, no matter how big they are.

Good luck!

Guest blogger Caitlin is the Community Manager at Everyday Health.

I can particularly relate to 3 & 5 (I want the weight gone NOW and I certainly need to be better prepared when it comes to my evening meal as nights are my downfall). What about you?