Motivation is an essential part of achieving any goal.

Without it, you are unlikely to achieve anything in life, let alone stick to a plant-based diet. Motivation is the drive to do something. It’s that spark that makes you get up and go rather than sit there thinking about doing it.

So you’ve decided to go plant-based or you're committed to adding in more plant-based options. That’s great! There are so many benefits to a plant-based diet, including helping the environment and reducing your risk of heart disease and cancer. A plant-based diet also has been shown to reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some mental health illnesses.

Just because it's good for you, doesn't make it easy to switch over. How do you make sure that you keep it going? How can you maintain this new diet and integrate it into your long-term lifestyle? In this article, we'll share 5ways that will help you stay motivated on a plant-based diet:

#1. Tell Everyone About It

You may be surprised how many people are interested in what you eat and what you think about nutrition. By talking about your new plant-based diet, you could inspire others to get healthy too!

Now, we're not suggesting you become the annoying friend that only wants to talk about themselves. Instead, think about finding people who also want to learn more about the topic. This opens you to have a conversation with someone who's interested in the same thing as you. Not only will you be able to connect with people who share your interests, but you may also be able to find people who can help you stay motivated.

Whether it’s by sharing their own experiences with a plant-based diet or by providing you with tips and tricks for staying on track. Other people can help you stay motivated on a plant-based diet. Don't go it alone. A great place to search is on Reddit. One of our favorite groups is r/PlantBasedDiet

#2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Setting big and lofty goals is a surefire way to set yourself up for failure. No one is perfect, and no one can meet their goals 100% of the time. By setting small, achievable goals, you are going to be able to meet your overall goal of going plant-based. For example, say you want to get enough vegetables every day, you might set a goal to eat veggies with every meal. The only problem is there's no wiggle room to mess up. The better goal is adding in additional greens at lunch. Establish that first, then grow from there.

If you want to make sure that you are eating enough calories to avoid feeling hungry, set a goal to have plant-based protein at least 3 times a day. The easiest way to get enough protein (which keeps you full and strong) is with an All-In-One Shake and Super Power Bars. These holistic plant-powered foods, only taste delicious, but give you protein and fiber too!

Get Shakes

Get Bars

By setting small, achievable goals, you are going to stay on track with your plant-based diet. You'll feel more successful and make more progress.

#3. Join a Group or Class Where You Can Meet Others Who Are on the Same Journey as You

Joining a group or class where you can meet other people who are on a plant-based diet may seem a little odd. After all, why would you join a group where the people are all trying to do the same thing as you? Well, first of all, it’s a great way to socialize and make friends with people who are on the same wavelength as you.

Groups and classes are usually led by people who are highly knowledgeable on the topic. They often have years of experience with the diet and can give you great advice on how to stay on track while you are learning how to adopt a plant-based diet. You may also be able to find people who are at the same stage as you are in the diet. For example, if you have been trying to adopt a plant-based diet for a couple of weeks but still find yourself craving dairy, you can find people who are at the same stage and can connect with them to find ways to overcome your cravings.

#4. Incorporate Exercise Into Your Routine

Exercise helps people stay motivated in their diet and exercise routine. Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel happier and less likely to crave unhealthy foods. For people who are trying to adopt a plant-based diet, incorporating exercise into the routine is a great way to stay motivated and continue to meet your goals.

You can even make it a game. If your goal is to eat two pieces of fruit every day, you can use exercise as the 'trigger' that rewards you with fruit. This will help you to stay on track with your goals, have fun, and also help you stay healthy.

#5. Take Showers Instead of Baths

Taking a bath is a very relaxing and enjoyable experience, but it’s also very wasteful and time-consuming. Think about lifestyle changes like you'd think about bathing. Instead of spending lots of time and resources on huge changes (the bath), focus on getting daily wins (aka a shower).

Taking a shower is a metaphor for keeping things simple. Don't try to change too many aspects of your diet at once. When it comes to keeping your motivation strong, small daily wins can help you keep going. Trade-in those big expectations for the power of a small, daily win.

Conclusion

Achieving a plant-based diet is a great thing to do for your health, our planet, and the animals. But, it can be challenging to maintain when life gets in the way. There are many ways to stay motivated on a plant-based diet, but it is important to find what works for you.

One way is to go public about your plant-based diet. Another way is to set small, achievable goals like having one serving of vegetables at a time. Another way is to join a group or class where you can meet others who are on the same journey as you. You can also incorporate exercise into your routine. Last but not least, find small ways to make daily progress. Whatever you do, make sure to find ways to stay motivated so that you can continue to meet your goals.