What Motivates YOU?

Money. That's what motivates me LOL. How? I think of all the money I have invested in home exercise equipment, sport supplements, gym membership, food and clothing and that is what usually ends up keeping me from slipping off my diet. One of the most common pitfalls of dieting is doingit for the wrong reason - usually to try to save a relationship or attract a 'mate'. If you do it for yourself, be it to stay healthy or lose weight, you will stick with it longer and have greater success!

I'm not big on fitbness, I just want to feel good. My big thing is I like to go on roller coasters and I was getting to the point where I was nervous about fitting into the seats. That motivated me to watch what I eat. I also walk when the weather is good. I use the stairs at work when I do the building walk-around rather than the elevator. But a regular exercise regiment? Never been able to keep it going unless you count when I was on track in high school!

I have also advised people that exercise is a lifestyle not a temporary thing. I used to be in the fitness industry. Motivation comes from wanting to be healthy especially as we get older. I don't think I'm that old but I'm not going to wait until 10-15 years from now. I want to be fit so I can do stuff with my kids when they get older. Also, I work out in a way that I really see my progress and improvements only want me to get better and I stay motivated when I see improvements. I've always been into athletics so I guess it's easier for me to stay in shape.

I am trying to lose some weight, and that is a major reason for my exercise regimen, but I am looking at this more as a lifestyle change than a "diet". I think that we so often fail when we go on a "diet" because that implies that you are either on it or off of it. I want to get to the point where I eat right every day and exercise consistently because that is the way I am choosing to live forever. It needs to be a permanent change. As I get older, I find that the motivating factors have changed. I still care about how I look and the clothes I wear, but it's even more important now to do what I can to remain healthy. Who wants to ruin their body by ignoring it when they are young only to pay the price when you retire and should be enjoying yourself? There are so many unforeseen things that can happen, as you well know; I want to at least control what I can and modify what I am capable of changing. I have exercised consistently 4-5 days/week since December, which is a record for me! I am actually enjoying it, and it has certainly helped me to stay on track with eating right.

I try to walk and rebound a few times a week. I wish winter was over with so I can get back out walking more. Rebounding helps thugh. For those that don't know rebounding is using a 48" trampoline.

I think what motivates me, at least recently when it comes to working is wanting to be an inspiration to my future students. I want to perfect my martial arts skills and become an instructor, and I want my students to see first of all the metaphysical layer of me and want to reflect that in themselves..I mean, it's more motivation to better yourself when the person who is telling you to better yourself is doing the same. and on another note...I am so sick of these obese, oily bodies teaching High School Health classes. What kid is going to listen to some greaseball about how to be healthier? PS-good luck with your recovery and fight with cancer..I can only imagine how tough that must be for ya'. Don't be a victim, rise above it, right? ^.^

Yes fitness should be a lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle! Many people have this misconception that you can get fit and achieve those great-looking bodies by just staying hours on the gym yet doing the same unhealthy lifestyle at home. They totally miss the point that in order to be fit and healthy you have to change your lifestyle. What good could hours in the gym do you if you eat all the greasy and fatty food at home. You are right about the fad thing as a motivation, a lot of people really fail to meet their goals because of this. For them getting fit is just like the "in" thing right now so they jump into the bandwagon. They fail to see that it entails a lot of commitment both in time and discipline. When they have a taste of these they just lose interest and back off. It happens because in the first place they don't have the right motivation.

Well I have put it on my schedule, but I don't always follow through! My overall motivation is wanting to stay as thin as I can for my whole life. I don't mean I want to be a size 2, but staying the size I am would be great. It bothers me when people say that I will definitely gain weight as I get older, b/c they gained weight so I must also. I think that is crap. My motivation comes from seeing others that are older and still in great shape - It shows me that I can stay thin too! Good luck on your goals :)

I try to get some excercise in regularly, mostly for weight loss and to strenghen my back after my back injury. I am not able to do a lot because of the injusry, but I do what I can, when I can. It would be great to have that well toned, shapely body that every girl wants, and to be able to fit nicely into clothes a couple of sizes smaller, but I don't expect it to happen. I will be happy to feel healthy. That is the most important thing for me.