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What motivates you?

post #1 of 51
8/11/10 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 
I'm curious about other people's opinions.....What motivates you to work out?? What motivates you to get up early when you want to sleep in, or push through the tiredness at the end of the day?

Honestly, sometimes my own health and well-being just isn't motivation enough to pass up that Kit Kat bar, lol.
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post #2 of 51
8/11/10 at 4:26pm
I found that focusing on eating healthy and getting a certain amount of weekly exercise is the only thing that made me feel close to my "center".

Or, in other words: "I the endorphin high".
post #3 of 51
8/14/10 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappilyEvrAfter View Post
Or, in other words: "I the endorphin high".


But also I don't deprive myself. I work hard and I am careful and diligent about my eating habits. But sometimes I see something I want and I eat it. Not all the time, but once or twice a week, maybe. I never label a food I'm craving a "weakness." It is not weak to have preferences or desires. I'm just not enslaved to any one way of being or doing or eating. Everything is one day, one moment at a time.

As far as the tiredness goes, I have kept myself awake to finish a good book or movie, gotten up at the crack of dawn to go somewhere fun for the day, and I just don't see working out as any different. If you see working out as a chore, you are doing the wrong workout. You can get up early to work out and let yourself take a nap later. You can workout after the kids go to sleep for the night instead of vegging out. I'm a SAHM so I have plenty of time as long as I prioritize effectively. I mean there's not feeling motivated because your workout just isn't any fun(or because you're depressed or ill or whatever), and then there's being burnt out 'cause you have to much to do and something's gotta give.
post #4 of 51
8/18/10 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 
unfortunately, I think I have developed the awful habit of laziness in the last couple of years, and that has tended to take over more often than not.

I have a great friend that helps to motivate me though, and also just watching workout videos in the background on my work computer while I am working also helps to pump me up.
post #5 of 51
8/18/10 at 10:21am
Honestly? I'm vain.

But I also love the side effects:
-I sleep better
-I NEED that hour of ME TIME
-I like being able to lift stuff when I need to
-The health benefits rock

I think the biggest thing is the sleep issue. On days I don't work out I do not sleep as well.
post #6 of 51
8/18/10 at 5:26pm
The thing that keeps me going is my competitive nature. I dread waking up early to run (however, I get more energy throughout the day when I do), I hate the first 20 minutes of each and every run, I don't like sweating, however once I get past those things, I find my rhythm and I enjoy being with myself for a few minutes, I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself a little harder or going faster than I did last week or last month, I LOVE races and the adrenaline that goes along with them. The firm bum and legs are an added bonus that I don't mind either!

Overall I think too many people are too obsessed with every bite that is eaten. Instead of looking at food one bite at a time, I eat a generally healthy diet with variety and an occasional treat. Sometimes that treat is a small piece of chocolate and other times it's 1/4 recipe of cookie dough (this is a little more rare)!
post #7 of 51
8/18/10 at 7:31pm
Right now my husband telling me daily that he is seeing results and is enjoying them is what seriously motivates me.
post #8 of 51
8/18/10 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biscuits & Gravy View Post
Right now my husband telling me daily that he is seeing results and is enjoying them is what seriously motivates me.
Same here. It's nice to hear after having two kiddos.
post #9 of 51
8/18/10 at 10:18pm
Plus, I really just love the way I feel - more awake, more alert, focused, mind is clear, etc., It's such a great feeling!
post #10 of 51
8/19/10 at 2:14am
All of the above, plus I am working toward a goal. I have a 5k to run in October and a 1/2 marathon to run in February. For the 1/2 marathon, the fees are paid and the plane tickets and hotel room are reserved. If I don't get up and run, I'm losing out on a $800 investment.

And for me, every step I run, every pound I lose, means that I'm that much closer to my goal weight and being able to get pregnant again. THAT is worth it!
post #11 of 51
8/19/10 at 8:41am
Honestly, it is the prospect of having some time to myself. I like to picture the cells in my body regenerating. Like a healing ritual. I'm pretty grumpy if I can't find a way to take this time.
post #12 of 51
8/19/10 at 9:01am
A closet full of really cute size 6 and size 8 clothes that still don't fit.
Being an example to my teenage daughter
Success...when I drop pounds or inches, I'm even more motivated to get going.
Oh and the awesome pair of Frye boots that I'm buying myself when I reach my goal weight.
post #13 of 51
8/19/10 at 9:16am
My signature gives a big reason...

But it's so much more than that. I want to live a long, healthy life and at the weight I'm at now, I just don't think I would live a life that is as enjoyable (or as long).

Also, I love being able to wear nice clothes when I'm in shape, right now I absolutely abhor clothes shopping, it's just depressing.

There's comfort issues too. We fly internationally a lot and those economy sets are NOT fun if you're carrying a few extra pounds!

I find at work people take me more seriously if I'm at a healthy weight.

Plus, I LOVE running. I definitely get the runner's high and it's something that I honestly look forward to. I agree with the PP who said that if you're not looking forward to it that it's not the right type of exercise for you. Now, it could be that you need to train a bit more because when you first start running you feel every stride! However, after a few weeks it gets much easier and much more enjoyable.

Exercise is easy for me. It's eating healthy that's not. Better put avoiding sweets. I'm trying to go sugar-free today and all I can think about is the half-eat bag of M&Ms in my desk at work. That's purely for the weight loss, because I don't find anything enjoyable about not eating chocolate!

ETA: I also agree about being a good example to my daughter. Since DH and I have been taking exercise much more seriously we've seen her imitating us and wanting to do sit-ups, push-ups, and run more. It's great to see that!
post #14 of 51
8/19/10 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Maybe once I start seeing real results that will motivate me to keep it up as well. Thanks for sharing everyone!
post #15 of 51
8/19/10 at 3:37pm
I got more motivation this morning. I had to send my husband back to the rack to get me a smaller size in the jeans I was trying on.
post #16 of 51
8/19/10 at 3:49pm
well, I haven't really started a routine yet, but I'm more motivated than ever to start being healthy... my motivators to actually start are:

my daughter. I don't want her to learn all the unhealthy habits I learned from MY mom. I don't want her to feel like I do now or look like I do now... I want her to just be happy and comfortable.

My husbad. He is deploying soon so I'll have a year to get really good lookin' for him. He also lost 150 pounds starting just before we started dating and up through basic/AIT in the Army and he was definitely worse off than me at jump. If he can do it, I can... and I want to because I don't want to drag him behind. I want us to enjoy our good health together. I want to look good for him and feel good for him and I want to have more endurance and stamina for him.

but mostly... I'm sick of HATING every single article of clothing I put on my body. I hate seeing pictures of me. I hate how I feel and I hate how larger parts of my body always feel like they are in the way. I hate how hot I get.
I used to love getting my picture taken and seeing me in them. I've never been thrilled with how I look and I've always been unhealthy and a bit larger, but it was overweight, not obese. It was weight I could carry well and look good in a good deal of the time. I miss that and moreover, I want BETTER than that. I want to have the body I am meant to have at peak health. I want to look and feel good because nothing is in the way of it.

I also want to have a healthier pregnancy next time we can TTC. I had a healthy pregnancy with my daughter, but it could have been better. I could have felt better. I also want a baby belly that shows like a normal belly... not 4 months into it because there was so much in the way of it showing.
post #17 of 51
8/19/10 at 4:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by treeoflife3 View Post
I also want a baby belly that shows like a normal belly... not 4 months into it because there was so much in the way of it showing.
If it helps you feel any better, people couldn't tell I was PG with either of my pregnancies until I was about 20 weeks. I simply looked like I'd gained weight. This wasn't because I was overweight or that I didn't gain much when PG, it was simply that I looked more pudgy than PG until that point!
post #18 of 51
8/19/10 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Biscuits & Gravy View Post
I got more motivation this morning. I had to send my husband back to the rack to get me a smaller size in the jeans I was trying on.
I experienced this last week. I haven't been in this size since DH and I were dating!! I had to text my DH and my Mom right away to share the good news.
post #19 of 51
8/19/10 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sparklett View Post
All of the above, plus I am working toward a goal. I have a 5k to run in October and a 1/2 marathon to run in February. For the 1/2 marathon, the fees are paid and the plane tickets and hotel room are reserved. If I don't get up and run, I'm losing out on a $800 investment.

And for me, every step I run, every pound I lose, means that I'm that much closer to my goal weight and being able to get pregnant again. THAT is worth it!
Wow - that is super amazing - a 1/2 marathon. Good for you, mama! I can barely make it a through a 5k most times. What are you doing to prepare besides running a whole heck of a lot!??
post #20 of 51
8/19/10 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by busymama77 View Post
Wow - that is super amazing - a 1/2 marathon. Good for you, mama! I can barely make it a through a 5k most times. What are you doing to prepare besides running a whole heck of a lot!??
THANK YOU! I recently finished Couch to 5k and am just now starting Hal Higdon's Half Marathon training program. My finish times are still horrible, but for now I'm focusing on distance over time. I'm also doing weight training 3-4 times a week plus intensive hiking.

I am SORE all the time, but it is going to be so worth it!!