[Windchime]

Originally Posted by effie12

I, of course, have the "I want to lose weight to be healthy" goals, but sometimes I feel like the bulk of my motivational material is more on the bad side. For example, I went away to college this year and in about a week will be seeing all of my old high school friends for the first time since this summer, and roughly thirty lbs smaller, I want people to think I look good. And then I'm just tired of being the fat one of my friends (at college). No, it probably isn't the healthiest way to motivate myself, but with a mental image of all the people in my senior class, and me looking good, I am much more capable of hoping on the treadmill or putting down that cake.

I honestly see nothing at all wrong with your motivation. It's not a bad thing to want to look good!

[Thighs Be Gone]

Interesting story--and a great time to recall it.

[jeminijad]

My motivation is really 60/40.

60% wanting to "look good," in a society where "looking bad" = fat and fat = being assumed lazy, slovenly, a lesser person, fewer promotions at work, etc etc etc.

40% is health.

I am not trying to change my motivations right now, because disgust at my appearance seems to be the only thing beginning to have any power to make me change. Is it a good thing? I'll worry about that when I'm farther along.

[gnomey]

I think, like most people said, that if most of your motivation is coming from making long lasting, healthy and positive changes, then that's a good thing... but having little rewards for yourself ("they think I look hot" or "damn I look good in this bra") can be a really good thing.