What Motivates You?

being the best me that I can be is what gets me out of bed and to the gym in the morning. When the numbers on the scale or whatever measuring device you are using at the moment doesn't tell you want to want to see, then it's good to think of all the things that you can do now that you could not when you were less fit. makes you want to stay fit or improve your fitness.

When I first started eating better and exercising, my motivation was to lose weight. At some point along the way, it changed and the motivation became getting and staying healthy and fit.

Of the two, I'd take healthy and fit; I think it's more of a permanent motivation.

Brian

my motivation is eating as much healthy stuff as i want and still having TONS of energy to interval train around my work complex- helps me to know that what i just ate wasn't empty calories but little tiny fat busters!

I try to follow the yoga teachings and just be, but I'm very much goal motivated. For example, I want to do my next half marathon in 1:40, and I want to do an unassisted handstand.

My motivation is twofold. The first is superficial: I want to look good. Although I will say that looking good does make me feel so much more confident and happy, so maybe it's not too superficial. The second motivational factor is my health. My father died of cancer. He was very healthy--never smoked, he worked out and ate well--so I know eating well and exercising isn't doesn't guarantee anything. But I do know that the more veggies and fruits I eat, and the less processed snacks and greasy foods I eat, the more power my body has to fight possible disease. That is the most powerful motivation.

The best motivation should be more on the health side. I had diabetes and hypertension and sleep apnea ... so, all those motivated me to loose my 109 pounds ! :)

My greatest motivation comes from the cost of all the medications I was having to take for my Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia...on and on. Now that I've eliminated all of those meds, I can spend that money on fun things.

My motivation is simply to stay healthy in order to live longer. Aside from wanting to look good and fit into my clothes, I want to live a longer life and have a healthy body. If I dont have my health, I dont see what I have. If I dont take care at my self at the young age of eighteen, I dont see how I'll take care of my self when my body isnt as strong. It's the best habit I could have gotten into.

To be all that I can be. It moves me in every aspect of my life that I consider important.

There's different motivations for different parts of my diet and fitness routine. The best motivation for running is the energy it gives me and the sense of accomplishment in going from the kid who couldn't run a quarter mile in gym class to the twenty-something who decided this time it was going to happen and I was going to teach myself to run a mile. It's been well over a year and I can do over three miles. As much as I'm pleased with the weight loss that's gone along with it, when I think about it as a weight-maintenance routine, I lose the desire to do it. When I think about it as something I'm accomplishing and getting better at and a tribute to my own determination, I get pumped up.

Lifting weights is fun for me. Great tunnel vision stress release and it's nice being the little five two girl who can lift big tv's. Funny thing is, I enjoy it so much that I'll always make the effort to run first and let the weight-lifting slide until the next day or week when I run out of gym time.

Eating healthy is mostly just something I've done so long that my tastes and my stomach can't handle most American food. Though on the occasions I'm confronted with my few unhealthy soft spots, I can't say the guilt factor isn't a part of it. Now if only I can get rid of the guilt part, I'd be set...

Usually it's superficial motivations that get me going, but deeper ones that reinforce the exercise once I'm done.

I get my ass out of bed and exercise 'cause it's my routine, and I'll be mad at myself if I don't, and because I had that slice of cake after dinner last night and don't want my waistline to expand.

But that awesome feeling after I'm done, and the knowledge that I'm getting all these health benefits keeps me motivated in the long term.

For me being fit is all about what you can DO as a fit person...that's why it drives me bonkers when Shape, Fitness, etc. show a bikini clad woman on the front. I want to see people IN ACTION...it feels great to be lean and strong.
So, I'd have to say that being the best I can be is the best motivator... my next goal, odd that it seems, is to land a perfect front handspring. I'm 40, so in order to that I have to be strong and flexible...and able to trust my body.

yeah, I hear you about wanting to be better at the things you do. I want to play a better basketball game, and hike farther distances and higher elevations. I would like to be able to do non-modified pushups and pullups, too.

I get sick when I don't exercise. Seriously. I have chronic bronchitis, and if I don't run for like a week, the phlegm ends up getting bad. Plus I use exercise as a natural antidepressant... keeps the crazy at bay!

I also feel worse (less energy, depressed) when I'm not eating right and exercising-- plus get sick more often than otherwise from any random bug I come in contact with.

Basically, I do it to make me happy. Now that's a motivator.

What motivates me is to make "no matter what" commitments to my health and wellness, and keep them...whether I'm "motivated" or not.

I find it very hard to be motivated enough to actually STICK to a diet. However, I find that when I take that step with a group of friends, or even one dependable friend, it holds me accountable as well as inspires me to continue! Good music motivates me to exercise. There is nothing I like better than running to the soundtrack of my choice (besides, it helps set my pace).

What you are is life's gift to you...what you do with it is your gift to life! We are all artists and life is the medium!

Alpo goal setting:
http://royceman.blogspot.com/2007/05/great-pudge-off-of-07.html

i tell myself i can get through it, i have come this far, and it has a reason

I used to be motivated by aesthetics...I couldn't stand the fact that my sister was able to wear junior's clothes and I had to wear Plus sizes. Every 10 lbs I lost, I bought myself a new outfit to keep myself motivated. Then my grandpa passed away because he'd had his 4th heart attack and also had diabetes and several TIAs. Then my motivation changed to be more health focused, not just for my appearance. Although, I will say...having a fit, toned body is a very nice side effect.

My first motivation was to lose weight then I realized that each time I was able to spend another minute or increase the intensity of my exercise - I was getting stronger. Knowing I was changing from a weak, slow person to stronger, fast person was empowering. When so much of my life feels out of control - accomplishing more (any kind of "more") with each workout reminds me that I CAN do more than I think I can.

I want to be reminded of that... every day so every day I take charge for that hour and make thing happen. I make my body work and that changes me.

And yes, I'm losing weight. :-)

I was really touched by your post. I find that being true to myself - really loving myself - means I wouldn't harm myself. But "harm" has profound meaning beyond the usual things we think of (smoking, junk food, etc.). If you really commit, as you say, it becomes pretty illuminating , all the ways we harm ourselves. And then it spreads... (ok enough philosophizing! ;) Thanks for getting to what I think is the "heart" of the issue for a lot of us; me, anyway. :)

pedometer success

You all are an amazing group of motivated people!
I am impressed with all the ways you stay up!

Thanks to all of you!

Truly,

Sylvia C. Hall