Are you having trouble keeping the weight off? If so, then perhaps you ought to review your motivations for slimming down in the first place. According to a new study published in the Open Obesity Journal and reported in MedicalNewsToday, the most successful slimmers are those who do it for themselves, not for others.

In an effort to determine what helps people lose weight, researchers looked at the motivations of 292 Slimming World members who had lost an average of six lbs. and kept it off for 13 months. Based on the results, it appears that most of them answered that they were trying to lose the weight for themselves and for them to feel good about themselves. The researchers also noticed that reasons such as wanting to please family and friends didn't seem to have a strong effect.

"Losing weight isn't always easy and keeping it off can be even more of a struggle," shares Dr James Stubbs of Slimming World and author of the study. "When starting a weight loss program, motivation is important, as it can be easy to lose heart and give up if you aren't committed. You'll feel more motivated if you're doing it for yourself rather than to please someone else, because losing weight is such a personal issue."

In addition, researchers say that losing weight is not all about doing it for yourself as well. Try to find a fitness regimen or a diet that suits you and your lifestyle, so staying fit won't seem like a chore.

(Photo by Mike Baird via Flickr Creative Commons)