Motivation....what motivates you?

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  • Just by reading the replies here makes me feel better. I was browsing around alot yesterday on this site and a couple things that seem to work for me, not necessarily the motivation to exercise, but...during Lent, I had given up all sugars...it was hard, but I gave that up for God, I'm not one of the "in your face with religion" I believe everyone has their right to believe or not...but, it was hard at first, but I remember thinking, I could sneak and hide, but God would still know. I can hide from everyone, except of course, God. The second thing that works is, and I need to get back to, is really watching my carb intake (refined carbs) after 6:00 PM. Now to get my rear in gear, physically and just move! I went grocery shopping last night and bought tons of vegies, fruit, low-fat cottage cheese and yougurts. I'm working through a "bulimia issue with my daughter, she's 14 1/2 and it's heartbreaking to see her hurt. So I have asked her to help me and make me go for walks with her, or help me get on the treadmill or rowing machine. I told her that if everyone had "will power" to walk away from not so healthy foods, not one person would have a weight issue. She felt if she had more willpower she wouldn't have this problem. She might be 10 or 15 lbs. over weight, but my the girls her age are a size 0, and tv does not help. No more foods in the house like that, but we are planning on having a "free" day during the week. I told her nothing is off limits, it's the quantity and being physical is what is more important.
    Sorry this post is so long. I'm open to advice/suggestions!
  • I find a lot of motivation just in everyday life, but I have to admit that probably the worst part is to find the motivation to start at all, and then it gets easier as you go.

    In winter, a friend of mine snapped a pic of me cuddling with one of my dogs. It was a fuzzy pic, taken with a cell phone, but when I saw myself, my wrists the size of small tree trunks, I hated what I saw. So this was a small percentage of my motivation.

    My ex-BF split up with me over a year ago, but during the time I was with him I really ballooned up. He likes to eat the bad stuff and it was easy to eat with him. But when we split up, he had a surgery and lost a lot of weight because he had to be on a liquid diet for a while, and the pounds were just melting away. He was happy to have lost the pounds and then he started exercising to lose even more. Like I said, it has been over a year but his weight loss was, I think, somewhere in my subconsciousness, was still eating. Another percentage of my motivation.

    I have a high blood pressure (not critically high but enough to be on meds) and I would like to decrease my blood pressure and get off the meds.

    It was getting hard to find anything that fits. I am 5'9" and clothes manufactures still think that average woman is 5'4" tall (with other proportions to follow).

    And finally .... I have greyhounds, and there is nothing worse than a fat owner of skinny dogs. I don't want my dogs to be ashamed of me!!!!

    That was BEFORE I started.

    Once I started, it got easier. Every little bit of achievement (improvement) on the treadmill motivated me. This forum is an incredible source of motivation. Soon after I joined, I saw Amanda's before and after pictures. That in itself wants me to lose, lose, lose.
    I watched The Biggest Loser - huge motivation! My jeans that kept getting bigger and bigger on me motivated me to keep working. Fitness magazines motivate me - just yesterday, I read an article about a lady who was a recreational jogger (on a small scale) and then, at the age of 51, started to run marathons. ()
    I have lost only 13 pounds so far but I feel incredibly light. I want that feeling to continue.
  • Congrats! Tomato for "starting" at least you started....I'm working on the cleaner eating, getting my mental motivation in gear and I have every intention of moving my rear tonight. I know about the clothes, I'm 5' 8 1/2" and find so many clothes are too short and small around the thighs and butt areas for me. My boss is a health nut, works out and tells me weights, free weights, etc....but incorporate weight lifting in my exercising.
    I wish you so much success and hope your ex will see the new you and who you are becoming. Isn't there a saying, "Success is the best revenge"...whatever successful means to that person. I wish you (and everyone) on this site the best! Thanks for responding.
  • Hey, newbie here! I actually made this up for myself, but thought why not share it? It might be motivation for some of you guys too


    WHY BOTHER EXERCISING AND EATING HEALTHY EVERY DAY?

    To be healthier
    To lower my cholesterol/blood pressure
    To lose weight and keep it off
    To gain the confidence I never had
    To increase my metabolism before it is too late
    To decrease my stress level
    To sleep better
    To get less headaches
    To feel more rested/energized/awake
    To have the energy to do the activities I want without running out of breath/energy
    To reduce my risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer
    To be a good role model for others
    To lower my heart rate
    To look cute/hot, not be “the fat one” in my family/whatever groups I am in
    To improve my circulation
    To reduce pain (back, cramps)
    To become height/weight proportionate (but still have boobs )
    To be able to choose from more options when shopping for clothes
    To improve my self-esteem
    To increase my productivity at work/school
    To build up protection against possible injuries
    To create the best environment possible in which a future child can develop
    To be able to concentrate better
    To be more appealing to others
    To stop worrying about how I look
    To live longer
    To relax and stop “sucking it in”
    To be firm and muscular instead of jiggly
    To release endorphins and feel good
    To strengthen my bones so I don’t get osteoporosis or osteopenia like my mother has
    To protect myself against diabetes
    To improve my posture
    To look fabulous in photos
    To be able to “indulge” once in a while without worrying about screwing up my diet
    To maintain my immune system so I don’t get sick as often
    To feel sexy
    To be less self-conscious about participating in sports
    To fit into a greater variety of clothes
    To look amazing in a BIKINI
    To look amazing in ANYTHING
    To make my parents proud and live long enough to take care of them
    To wear a skirt without chafing my thighs
    To be less self-conscious in the locker room
    To return to my hometown and amaze everyone with how good I look
    To lose the baby fat
    To make it easier to shave
    To be able to participate in a marathon
    To be someone that people want to be
    To wake up in the morning without feeling sore, achy and stiff
    To be as in-shape as the kids I babysit for/tutor
    To make a good impression for groups I represent
    To stop worrying about fitting into clothes I already own
    To not be able to make a double chin
    To stop pulling my shirt down
    To be able to wear one layer of clothing and not have my stomach show through
    To eat anything in front of other people without feeling self-conscious
    To feel comfortable flirting with guys
    To sit in a chair without my stomach rolling over the top of my pants
    To become a little curvier
    To inspire others who want to accomplish similar goals
    To not be embarrassed at the gym
    To ensure that I will not gain weight back quickly like I would with dieting
    To dance without feeling self-conscious
    To learn to love fruits and vegetables
    To crave sweets less often
    To be a true gymgoer, not a wannabe/“poseur”
    To attract other people who live healthy lifestyles
    To be able to wear short shorts and a tank top
    To live up to my potential physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally
    To replace my flabby skin with toned muscle
    To get shinier hair, stronger fingernails and clearer skin
    To be able to wear size S and XS shirts, and size 2 jeans
    To be able to wear tops with built-in shelf bras and no bra underneath
    To not want to binge on unhealthy foods
    To have the confidence to try new things – abroad and at home
    To possess brains AND beauty

    A long list I know, but the reasons for motivation are endless!
  • Great list, Kitegirl. Now that's how to stay motivated
  • Great thread! I was on this forum, but then after my brother, his wife, and child moved in with me, I kinda fell off the wagon so to speak. It's hard to get on a treadmill with a toddler around. Mind you, I live in a trailer, so there's really no alternatives here. Plus, I was trying to make enough food to feed everybody, and my brother literally likes pizza every single day. I kid you not. It's really hard to stay on the wagon when you're smelling pizza every freaking day.

    But good news! They are moving out sometime this month, and I need to get myself back in gear. If the rainy days would go somewhere else for a while, I can get in a tan while I'm outdoors!

    My motivation? Right now, I've got a wedding to go to coming up in Sept, where all of pals will be at. I don't want to be this weight before then.....
  • my motivation:

    To look good in anything....
    To not be the overweight one all the time....
    To not stand out cos of weight....
    To look good for my fella....
    To make people proud of me....
    and of course, to be healthier....
  • I get motivated by the thought of my health, and my gf
  • I'm motivated by knowing how good I felt when I was thin. I lost the weight a few years back and the confidence I had was incredible! I was able to do things that I never thought possible. I want that back sooooooooo bad.

    Also, reading the success stories on this board is amazing! It really keeps me going! It validates weight loss, it reminds me constantly that losing the weight is actually possible!!

    When I really need a pick me up I read the maintainers form! It really pushes me to keep going cause I see other people who not only did it! But they are also keeping it off!!