What motivates you?

Honestly, this time of the year it's just the fact that I like being outdoors and on the beach, and I like to be fit and slim and be able to wear any bikini or whatever without feeling like I need to "hide" certain parts and flatter others, lol.  We have a two week vacation coming up in August so I need to get my ass in gear!

Liesje

Honestly, this time of the year it's just the fact that I like being outdoors and on the beach, and I like to be fit and slim and be able to wear any bikini or whatever without feeling like I need to "hide" certain parts and flatter others, lol.  We have a two week vacation coming up in August so I need to get my ass in gear!

That's usually my motivation too! but I guess since this summer we had to skip a vacation due to 3 weddings coming up that I felt like it didn't matter this summer. I hate wearing one piece swimsuits but refuse to wear a 2 piece right now, so it kinda stinks. I seriously went swimming at my parents house the other day with a pair of shorts and a tank top on, LOL. This time around, I want to eat healthy and workout hard. I want to see how great of a body I can get. It's going to be really hard to cut back portions.

OT: I love the new sig!  

The feeling I get after my workout. I know it's not supposed to, but other people I'm jealous of really keep me motivated.

PrincessPenny

, but other people I'm jealous of really keep me motivated

I think there's a lot of truth to that. I see other people looking fit, healthy, sexy or whatever and working out is one way I can try to feel the same way.

I don't mean this as a criticism of anyone, but because for me, being at a certain weight is so important, I monitor it constantly. If I gain even 3 lbs, I up my workout and cut back on what I eat. I find it much easier to manage that way than to let it get to where it seems like a real challenge. Working out is my best tool to staying fit though. I love to eat!!

Cathy, I am the same way.  I have high standards for myself and I hate when people give me crap about it because it has *nothing* to do with them.  I want to be a certain weight.  I'm not starving myself or doing things that are really unhealthy.  To me it is no different than other women that like to color their hair or get pedicures or whatever.  To each their own.  I don't spend as much time on hair and makeup but I want my body to be a certain shape and I am willing to work my butt off to get there.  Right now I feel pretty gross and fat but it's all my own fault because I've been so busy and stressed I've not been working out and have been eating crap on the road all the time.

When I'm working out I put TV shows on that have skinny, fit people, lol.  Like America's Best Dance Crew or Top Model.  But I like dancing ones the best b/c I secretly wish I was a good dancer so when I'm working out and watching TV I can sort of pretend, haha.

 I usually do too, and I didn't really notice my weight gain until I got on the scale at the doctor's the other day and I almost died! I was sick in May, then I had that procedure done and couldn't do anything for weeks while I was healing, then I got sick again...so I'm more than ready to get myself back on track! :)

Jenny - don't be hard on yourself. Dealing with medical issues can definitely set you back. I hope you're feeling better now and can get back into your routine. It's rough when life throws things off kilter. I'm scheduled to have surgery in late July and I know that recuperation time is going to set me back. I'll get back in the swing though. I just have to work hard at not trying to get back in the swing before I'm ready, and that will be the toughest part.

 My motivation is its nice to be able to run around with Kirby and act like a goof without looking like a fish gasping for air after five seconds because I'm so out of shape my heart has forgotten what is like to pump.  I also like the gratification of watching muscles grow and feeling skin tighten.

I have to admit weight however has never been a factor for me.  I can do nothing, no diet or exercise and I still won't gain and wheigh the same 97 pounds I've weighed since I finished growing.  Still even if no one else will notice the difference I can still tell when I'm in shape and when I'm just taking up space.

Compliments from others motivates me.  Seeing others living a good life motivates me.  Money motivates me.  Being good at something motivates me.

Good luck with your weight loss.  Dedication is what it really takes.

For me, it's never wanting to be big again, staying a size 4 . . .running into my ex with the "woman" he cheated on me with and she's like 10 sizes bigger, oops did I say that. . .

willowchow

.running into my ex with the "woman" he cheated on me with and she's like 10 sizes bigger, oops did I say that. . .

ROFL!

  There is WAY more to life than being a certain size or shape.  I eat what I want and I don't pile weight on because I am sensible about it.  I don't starve myself, I don't binge, I don't obsess about calories or nutrients and I don't eat for the sake of comfort, boredom or routine.  I eat purely and simply to nourish my body and I trust my body to tell me what it needs, when it needs it.  As for exercise.... I don't need motivation for that either.  I have a couple of activites that I enjoy (horse riding and swimming) so I do those a few times a week in addition to walking the dogs. I don't need motivating because I LOOK FORWARD to my "work-outs" for their own sake and I am hugely disappointed if I miss one.... and not because it means my bottom might be getting bigger, or "I won't be able to have that cake now".  I highly recommend this lifestyle... I feel much more active and I am very happy with the way my body looks and feels. 

willowchow

For me, it's never wanting to be big again, staying a size 4 . . .

Same here.

I went from a tight jean size 14 and XL tops to a comfy size 6 and small/medium tops- I LOVE it!!!! ETA: My boobs went from a size DD to a C and for my back it's defianlty a good thing. I feel so much better about myself. So healthy.

I try to stay very active ALL day which helps so much. I run (4 miles, 5 days a week), weight train (4 days a week), recently started yoga, walk dogs (for a job), recently started surfing (with DH), hike, mountain bike, I also signed up for a womens softball league- I literally try to do anything that will get and keep me movin'. I watch what I eat and try to make the healthiest choice, but it doesn't always happen and when it doesn't I don't stress.

Compliments are a HUGE motivator, too.