Why are you doing it!
David_Marquiss
Posts: 86 Member
Everything comes down to why you do what you do, That is what will keep us motivated. Its easy to give up on ourselves because its easy to quit, you dont need to hold yourself accountable. But when someone is depending on you, watching you grow, they are holding you accountable. Its best to stay focused on why you got started in the first place. Id rather have the pain of disipline than the pain of regret. Im working hard to be an example in every aspect of life to my little girl. Showing you can Love animals and still make gains (stay in shape as well hahahaha ) What keeps you going?
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What keeps me going is getting a better career for my family. Buying a house so we don't have to rent & move when it gets too high. A room fit for her princess self!3
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Good topic David,
I am interested to ready what was your moment or driving factor that got you motivated? The accountability factor only helps me enough to do the minimum. Perhaps I should start calling myself a minimalists because that is the story of my life. I am still waiting for that A-ha moment to get my self in gear. Until them I will likely continue to be all wants and dreams and very little action.
I would love to say my motivation is something inspiring like 'I want make a difference in the world' or 'I want to achieve big hard goals so I can feel good about my journey' but when it comes to health and fitness I'm a lazy vegetarian who does the bare minimum to ease my conscious and maintain my dress size. I have been lucky enough to be relatively thin most of my life and have not had to try too hard to maintain that but I have never been strong or fit. Now I am over 30 and though I may seem the ideal to some, a slender 5'7" floating back and forth between 125 now 150lbs, I know with just a little effort I could meet and exceed my fitness goals. Maybe this time is the time I stick with it. Only time will tell.0 -
Wish I could had some inspirational story but really I want to walk into a clothing shop and not be scared to try something on
( also I want my *kitten* to look good in shorts haha )5 -
I don't have a grand story to tell either, but I go surfing a week at a time every couple months (unfortunately, I live near DC so its not a local pursuit) and wanted to get in better shape so I'd have the stamina, wouldn't strain my back, and as a bonus, develop a lean muscular build to look good on the beach. Simple as that. I really love surfing and getting fit has made it a much more enjoyable hobby.2
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I want to be healthy and strong. I want my dear BF to go mad after my body (hey, it's not shallow, I just want to get in even more exercise for both of us!). I want to be a good example for the family I want to have. I want to be able to be there for everyone who is important for me. I want to smile when I look in the mirror in the morning and think "Good morning beautiful!" even before my BF gets around to saying it. I am greedy, I guess...3
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Wish I could had some inspirational story but really I want to walk into a clothing shop and not be scared to try something on
( also I want my *kitten* to look good in shorts haha )
You dont need a insirational goal to start out. Its who you become on your journey that will inspire people. I think thats a great goal!0 -
skymningen wrote: »I want to be healthy and strong. I want my dear BF to go mad after my body (hey, it's not shallow, I just want to get in even more exercise for both of us!). I want to be a good example for the family I want to have. I want to be able to be there for everyone who is important for me. I want to smile when I look in the mirror in the morning and think "Good morning beautiful!" even before my BF gets around to saying it. I am greedy, I guess...
Lol not greedy at all! Working for a relationship that builds on the fire of passion. Thats awesome!!2 -
I have a lot of reasons; One of them is sciatica. I would rather not experience it so much when I walk. It's also good for asthma too.0
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TeethOfTheHydra wrote: »I don't have a grand story to tell either, but I go surfing a week at a time every couple months (unfortunately, I live near DC so its not a local pursuit) and wanted to get in better shape so I'd have the stamina, wouldn't strain my back, and as a bonus, develop a lean muscular build to look good on the beach. Simple as that. I really love surfing and getting fit has made it a much more enjoyable hobby.
You already have most of the worl beat man! Im terrified of open ocean and cant surf to save my life! Keep it up! Looking forward to seeing your progress!0 -
N_Ravenhill wrote: »Good topic David,
I am interested to ready what was your moment or driving factor that got you motivated? The accountability factor only helps me enough to do the minimum. Perhaps I should start calling myself a minimalists because that is the story of my life. I am still waiting for that A-ha moment to get my self in gear. Until them I will likely continue to be all wants and dreams and very little action.
I would love to say my motivation is something inspiring like 'I want make a difference in the world' or 'I want to achieve big hard goals so I can feel good about my journey' but when it comes to health and fitness I'm a lazy vegetarian who does the bare minimum to ease my conscious and maintain my dress size. I have been lucky enough to be relatively thin most of my life and have not had to try too hard to maintain that but I have never been strong or fit. Now I am over 30 and though I may seem the ideal to some, a slender 5'7" floating back and forth between 125 now 150lbs, I know with just a little effort I could meet and exceed my fitness goals. Maybe this time is the time I stick with it. Only time will tell.
Maybe your negatively motivated, make a list of everything you will miss out on if you dont maintain your health, or things you cant do and wish you could, or things you are afraid of slipping away as far as maybe doing a handstand. Or if theres any sport or physical hobby you have always wanted to do, go do it, it always helps me stay on track. You got this, its your time!!0 -
skymningen wrote: »I want to be healthy and strong. I want my dear BF to go mad after my body (hey, it's not shallow, I just want to get in even more exercise for both of us!). I want to be a good example for the family I want to have. I want to be able to be there for everyone who is important for me. I want to smile when I look in the mirror in the morning and think "Good morning beautiful!" even before my BF gets around to saying it. I am greedy, I guess...
Love love love this! I'm right there with ya!2 -
Health. I just want to stay healthy as I age. And I'm no spring chicken.2
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I'm 62 and want to be active and fit for another couple of decades, or more. I've maintained in a 25# range my whole life. I've exercised my whole life. I don't want to give into the menopause, you're older so it's impossible to lose weight, etc, etc, etc, comments that I hear every day and I'm working on getting to a 5# maintenance range after gaining 25#.
It is possible to lose weight and be fit post-partum, post-menopause, post 60, and so on. It's in our own hands, how we all choose to age, whether we're 30, or 50, or 80.4 -
My children (10 months and 3 years). Most importantly my daughter. I want to get to where I need to be while they are too young to remember mommy being fat. I want my kids to not struggle like I do and view food as the enemy. I want my daughter to be confident and not step on a scale multiple times a day or letting the number on the scale define how she feels about her self and how she thinks others view her. I am doing this because my kids look up to me. I want to be here for their futures. I'm also doing this because of my own father's recent heart problems and myself being prediabetic.0
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Well, my situation is probably different from most here in that I am here primarily to gain fitness and strength, to maintain - possibly gain a little weight - and to continue my decades long battle against eating disordered thinking (started at 14 and I am now 42. It was most severe at 18 and I was 24 hours from death).
I also have COPD (diagnosed at only 28 years of age, 65% lung function) and am determined to not allow it to hold me back from my fitness activities. I cycle, I do gym workouts, I did and hope to recommence boxing fitness, I was first woman back in my one and only 5k and hope to run again.
I also struggle with depression and keeping active seems to be the only way to keep that under control since all medications seem to make me worse over time. In fact, the last medication I was put on is the reason I am back after a 3 year hiatus, trying to build my strength back up.
Lastly, I wish to inspire others with a history of eating disorders or who struggle with physical limitations, to never give up and to use their powerful minds to overcome as many challenges as possible. I may slip back from time to time, but I am determined to never let myself fall again.6 -
Great thread! I have a few reasons.
1. Selfies with my teens!
2. Buying nice teacher clothes.
3. Medical purposes: I need a new knee and I have a pinned hip due to a break... all on the same leg. Less weight will help with the issues I am having with pain.
My goal is 30 pounds, but I won't complain if I can manage more. 3 -
we are having our first child in 6 months, and I want to be strong and more active by then.1
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TranquilityBreeze wrote: »Great thread! I have a few reasons.
1. Selfies with my teens!
2. Buying nice teacher clothes.
3. Medical purposes: I need a new knee and I have a pinned hip due to a break... all on the same leg. Less weight will help with the issues I am having with pain.
My goal is 30 pounds, but I won't complain if I can manage more.
You got this, Bless you, looking forward to seeing your progress!!!0 -
Graelwyn75 wrote: »Well, my situation is probably different from most here in that I am here primarily to gain fitness and strength, to maintain - possibly gain a little weight - and to continue my decades long battle against eating disordered thinking (started at 14 and I am now 42. It was most severe at 18 and I was 24 hours from death).
I also have COPD (diagnosed at only 28 years of age, 65% lung function) and am determined to not allow it to hold me back from my fitness activities. I cycle, I do gym workouts, I did and hope to recommence boxing fitness, I was first woman back in my one and only 5k and hope to run again.
I also struggle with depression and keeping active seems to be the only way to keep that under control since all medications seem to make me worse over time. In fact, the last medication I was put on is the reason I am back after a 3 year hiatus, trying to build my strength back up.
Lastly, I wish to inspire others with a history of eating disorders or who struggle with physical limitations, to never give up and to use their powerful minds to overcome as many challenges as possible. I may slip back from time to time, but I am determined to never let myself fall again.
Your already an inspiration. Thats Truly amazing. As long as you keep getting back up you have won! Really cool of you to share this!2 -
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Lyric_Momma wrote: »My children (10 months and 3 years). Most importantly my daughter. I want to get to where I need to be while they are too young to remember mommy being fat. I want my kids to not struggle like I do and view food as the enemy. I want my daughter to be confident and not step on a scale multiple times a day or letting the number on the scale define how she feels about her self and how she thinks others view her. I am doing this because my kids look up to me. I want to be here for their futures. I'm also doing this because of my own father's recent heart problems and myself being prediabetic.
I can tell now, your Children will grow up to be very loving. You are an amazing mother! Thats your drive, write it down and look at it everyday. Nothing will stop you!1 -
fiddletime wrote: »I'm 62 and want to be active and fit for another couple of decades, or more. I've maintained in a 25# range my whole life. I've exercised my whole life. I don't want to give into the menopause, you're older so it's impossible to lose weight, etc, etc, etc, comments that I hear every day and I'm working on getting to a 5# maintenance range after gaining 25#.
It is possible to lose weight and be fit post-partum, post-menopause, post 60, and so on. It's in our own hands, how we all choose to age, whether we're 30, or 50, or 80.
For Real!!! Dont let other people excuses get in the way!!!!! Looking forward to following you in your journey!!1 -
Because tbh, I don't want to become overweight the older I get. My grandma and all her sisters struggled with their weight as they got older and I don't want that.
I just turned 40 and I want to be healthy, fit and active as long as I possibly can.
...plus the longer I can pass as my son's sister the better.
(He's 21 btw) 1 -
What's keeping me going now is what I've already been through as an overweight person and the fact that I bottomed out getting cancer from being obese last year. I am ok now but there are so many things that being obese has affected in my life to the negative and I want to tackle them one bit at a time. Some things I can't change now but maybe I can eliminate some of the things that will happen to me more immediately if I don't lose the weight.
Also my partner is diabetic and not eating well around her makes me feel guilty and ashamed for not being a good partner.
Also I just got diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
Also I feel better as I lose weight. So far lost 23 lbs and what I first noticed was fitting more easily into my seat in my car and that I don't take up as much space that makes me uncomfortable. I am moving towards taking the space that I was made to take, and not taking space that feels like I'm spilling into the world and it's not made for me as an obese person.
Also I have arthritis in my knee that is as a result of my weight (partly) and I want to be able to hike around here and enjoy the area's incredible small natural spaces taht I cannot access if I'm too overweight and my knees are killing me.
Also I had spine surgery in 1998 and resulting scars on the nerve covering. This means any weight pressing is causing more pain I'm sure. I have chronic pain and hoping that the weight loss will reduce this pain.
Also, I don't travel b/c I am overweight b/c it's too hard to do. I am missing out on time with family and friends, i've given up a trip of a lifetime to see a friend in Switzerland and gave up meeting a friend years ago in Holland due to being overweight.
Also just the really simple ability to fit into smaller and more fashionable clothing will be a cherry on top of it all. I used to dream of being able to do this and have spent a lifetime not being able to. I'm 50 and would like to have some chance at looking good despite my age and the impact my weight has had on my appearance. I want my youth back a little bit longer.
AND b/c being fat just sucks for me. I respect people who feel proud and happy in their plus sized bodies and wish I were the same but I don't. At all.
I want to reclaim my body and life.
Thanks for asking. I appreciate this b/c it's motivation after a tough week of struggling with my nutrition.
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This may sound selfish but I'm doing this for myself. I hate the girl I see in the mirror. I hate my weight gain and my belly flab. I'm disgusted with myself. But slowly getting over that.4
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This may sound selfish but I'm doing this for myself. I hate the girl I see in the mirror. I hate my weight gain and my belly flab. I'm disgusted with myself. But slowly getting over that.
It gets better, just stay consistent, feel the pain of disipline rather than the pain of regret. You will be able to help so many people through their struggles because you have lived it and made it through!0 -
Because tbh, I don't want to become overweight the older I get. My grandma and all her sisters struggled with their weight as they got older and I don't want that.
I just turned 40 and I want to be healthy, fit and active as long as I possibly can.
...plus the longer I can pass as my son's sister the better. (He's 21 btw)
Thats awesome!!! And yeah the ageing process slows down as we take care of our bodies. People are living longer and longer, they say someone is alive today that will live until 150 years old!!!1 -
Thanks for this thread. It's actually something I sometimes struggle with. For most of my life I was very thin. It actually turned out I had undiagnosed celiac, so I was really malnourished. Once I was diagnosed and treated, I could start absorbing fat and nitrients but I also gained wait and understood what everyone had been talking about all those years!
But I didn't ever get "overweight", just jumped a dress size, then another. Kind of got into that frumpy mom thing. But when I tried on a bathing suit and could not believe what I saw, when my doctor said I could stand to lose a few pounds (moi?!!), I realized I'm in denial.
So I'm focusing on building lean muscle, and shedding fat and being honest with myself Day to day. I've always loved exercise and now really like barre, would love to be able to cruise through the push-ups but I know it's hard without getting rid of my extra 15 lbs.
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Thanks for this thread. It's actually something I sometimes struggle with. For most of my life I was very thin. It actually turned out I had undiagnosed celiac, so I was really malnourished. Once I was diagnosed and treated, I could start absorbing fat and nitrients but I also gained wait and understood what everyone had been talking about all those years!
But I didn't ever get "overweight", just jumped a dress size, then another. Kind of got into that frumpy mom thing. But when I tried on a bathing suit and could not believe what I saw, when my doctor said I could stand to lose a few pounds (moi?!!), I realized I'm in denial.
So I'm focusing on building lean muscle, and shedding fat and being honest with myself Day to day. I've always loved exercise and now really like barre, would love to be able to cruise through the push-ups but I know it's hard without getting rid of my extra 15 lbs.
15Lbs, you got this! Awesome that you are going through your journey with your eyes wide open, and Definitely, sometimes we need to be reminded why we started to keep going!1
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