What Helps you NOT quit - when you want to give up?

jaxbeck

My body!

myfitnessnmhoy

Personally, I've motivated myself by picking an athletic event that I think is at the very ragged edge of my capabilities and signing up for it (with plenty of time to train). Next month, I'm bicycling the "Trek Across Maine", a 3-day 180-mile bicycle ride. I'm raising money for the American Lung Association and upping my daily exercise levels considerably at the same time.

If living longer and feeling better isn't enough, train for an event that helps others as well as yourself.

Brianabomb

Mostly Before and After Pics really help me stay motivated. I think" If they cab do it, so can I". As well as all the great quotes and sayings like" You have to earn your body" and "Sweat is fat crying". I love those.

Also, when my daughter asks me questions like " Mommy, when you got married were you skinny?" (This question just came up this morning and I'm not THAT overweight!) Daaaang! It make me want to show my daughter what HEALTHY and thin looks like. Not just "Skinny".

emily_kenyon

For me its how great i now feel about myself and so helps when i look at pics from a year ago till now and see how much ive achieved and i now love to try on clothes which i use to hate. Ive also done it so i can have a breast reduction which i gave up smoking for too and im having it done in 5 weeks and i cant wait good luck to eveyone on here )




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Danielle2344

I've only been a member here for 11 days, but I just recently saw a picture of myself from a couple of years ago - I was the chubby blonde girl! NEVER AGAIN!! No, I know not there now and I realize that, but with what I was doing (nothing), I'll be back to that point without even realizing it. Also, I like the clothes I have now - I want them to fit and to look good on me again - to my standards, nobody elses...because yeah, I've heard the "You look fine, you don't need to lose weight" and the snorts when I mention calorie counting or working out, but I just don't say much about it in real life. You guys on here are definitely the motivation I need and reading the comments, the stories, so much that I can relate to, makes me want to keep on doing the best that I can & not be a quitter.

ValerieMartini2Olives

First and foremost, I think about the people who made my life miserable for being fat. I take all the anger and bitterness out on the machines at the gym.
Then I think about how I don't want to shop in the plus size department.

muddyventures

I have four daughters, and the oldest if 14; we've always been an active family and I pride myself in promoting that, but somewhere along the line I didn't pay attention to myself and got lost in parenting. I looked in teh mirror and realized I didn't want them to think this is what motherhood was about... I want to be strong, healthy, fit and I want to set challenging goals and have my daughters know I earned all of it. I want them to know that taking care of yourself is okay, and although I started late, I think I'm already impacting them.

hunterjumper642

I honestly print out pictures of models, thin and muscular people and especially people i REALLY dont like who have gained a bit of weight recently and I put them everywhere. in the pantry, on the dresser, on my bedposts, in the bathroom, and in the closet mirror area. But make sure you do it with tape so you can take them off when people come over, because otherwise you have a lot of explaining to do...haha

Kimmer2011

Shopping for clothes is a lot more fun now..
Being a model of healthy living for my daughters.
Several of the older people at church gush over how well I've done--I know that if I slack and revert, they'll notice.
A few of my friends have said that my success has motivated them to get healthier as well.
Being able to move around more easily.
Sometimes I make myself go out for a walk, and I always feel better after.
Looking at old pictures and thinking, "NEVER. AGAIN."

Sometimes when I get bummed that I haven't lost faster or more consistently, I think back to last summer, when I was so happy to get to 275. And then in the fall, when I was thrilled to get below 250. So I look at where I am now, and the perspective helps.

I forgot to mention--seeing how much difficulty my Dad has in getting around. He's spent a lifetime not taking care of himself, and I want to avoid that!

LynC33

Apart from success stories and imagining myself in awesome clothes....I think of the darker side....healthwise. Clogged arteries, strokes, heart attacks etc..those things scare the s#@t outta me and I simply dont want to die!

meshashesha2012

remembering why you're doing it in the first place.

my theory is i dont really need to be motivated 100% of the time as long as i'm truly committed to what i want to get done.

PurpleCoookie

sad to say but it is mostly vanity lol but when I'm feeling down I go the success stories and that get me moving

PShep17

I've got into the habit of posting on MFP my exercise plans for the next day the night before. Just means my friends have an idea what I should be logging and it makes me more determined to see it through!

kluvit

The strong desire to rebuild my wardrobe...I hate spending money on temporary sizes which motivates me to get to the goal and STAY there.

Tribbey143

thanks everyone this is helping me!!! I'm frustrated right now but I'm not going to give up on my 12 pounds I've lost in 2 months that's good! I HAVE TO KEEP GOING.... :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Dudagarcia

If you don't do this for yourself no one else can do it for you. There is plenty of help and information but ultimately only I can do this.

Peppychristian

I have had to think about this several times lately (have felt like calling it quits a few times) but I remember why I got on here and I set mini goals to reach (something attainable but forces me to push myself).

Simply_Lisa

I love the response "Think of you have to GAIN." What a great response and attitude. Now I want to start a list of all that I have to look forward to and post it on my fridge! Thanks for sharing!!

keyboardwench

I find it most helpful to remember what/why I'm doing this. For my health. To live a long life with the man I love. To decrease weight/stress on my knee. To better my odds against my family's history of heart disease. That's reason enough for me to keep going. I didn't want to work out today but honestly, those things work for me. Just need a reminder some times.

Padmo

Well maybe I'm being petty, but there are a few people that I really want to show them how I can look again. I get to see them in September and I want look hotter than ever, lol.

Seriously tho, my daughters and husband should have a healthy, vibrant mom and wife, and frankly that hasn't been me for many years. I'm sure they were tired of seeing me unable to get the energy to do basic stuff around the house instead of staying in bed or sitting in front of the computer and eating all day.

Exercise and eating better has reduced my depression and I'm thinking it's going to stick this time.

In short I keep a few things in my mind when I'm struggling, and I'm not ever using "I can't."

wackyfunster

The ability to delay immediate gratification, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to persist when it seems like you are getting nowhere are all major indicators of who you really are. Weights are not going to lie to you to make you feel better about yourself. Exercise will always be honest with you about who you REALLY are. All self-deception and pleasant delusions go out the window as soon as the weights come off the rack. So who do you want to be? Someone who quits as soon as things get hard? Someone who is too weak to push themselves outside of their comfort zone? Someone to weak to change or improve, even though you want to? Or do you want to push yourself to your limits and beyond? To set aside pain and fatigue, and push out one more rep. To push through whatever obstacles or temptations get in the way of doing what you know is the right thing.

What example do you want to set for your children, and for the people who look up to you? That it's ok to quit when things get hard? That it's ok to cheat when you feel like you deserve to indulge yourself? That it's ok to fail because you are entitled to do what you want, instead of what you must? Or do you want to show them that strength of character and will can carry you through towards your goals, even when your body is failing? That the mind and spirit can overcome, and that effort, commitment and dedication pay off. That the satisfaction that comes from doing what's best, even when it's hard, is superior to the instant gratification that comes from doing the wrong thing, even though it's easy.

Strength of character cannot be faked. Your body, your mind, and your spirit are who you are. So who are you going to choose to be?

That's what keeps me going. Fitness is not about looking good, it's about life. It's about who you are.

monty619

i just think of it as either im getting better or im getting worse. i may not see instant results but over time its going to pay off, just gotta continue to complete my goals that i set out to do.

mystinamarie

I live at the beach, so I imagine squishing my current pale, soft, cellulite, stretch marked body into a tiny bikini in a month or two. That does the trick 99% of the time.

Otherwise:

-I look at the progress I've made and know I don't want to disappoint myself by erasing that hard work.
-I set small, easily attainable goals so the big goal doesn't seem so out of reach. (ie: do 2 workout vids tonight)
-I really focus on the "If everyday was like today you would weigh XXX lbs" at the end of checking in on a good day. I sit there and let it sink in, envisioning my body at that weight, and realizing that 5 weeks is a relatively short amount of time.

kcoftx

The ability to delay immediate gratification, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to persist when it seems like you are getting nowhere are all major indicators of who you really are. Weights are not going to lie to you to make you feel better about yourself. Exercise will always be honest with you about who you REALLY are. All self-deception and pleasant delusions go out the window as soon as the weights come off the rack. So who do you want to be? Someone who quits as soon as things get hard? Someone who is too weak to push themselves outside of their comfort zone? Someone to weak to change or improve, even though you want to? Or do you want to push yourself to your limits and beyond? To set aside pain and fatigue, and push out one more rep. To push through whatever obstacles or temptations get in the way of doing what you know is the right thing.

What example do you want to set for your children, and for the people who look up to you? That it's ok to quit when things get hard? That it's ok to cheat when you feel like you deserve to indulge yourself? That it's ok to fail because you are entitled to do what you want, instead of what you must? Or do you want to show them that strength of character and will can carry you through towards your goals, even when your body is failing? That the mind and spirit can overcome, and that effort, commitment and dedication pay off. That the satisfaction that comes from doing what's best, even when it's hard, is superior to the instant gratification that comes from doing the wrong thing, even though it's easy.

Strength of character cannot be faked. Your body, your mind, and your spirit are who you are. So who are you going to choose to be?

That's what keeps me going. Fitness is not about looking good, it's about life. It's about who you are.

As soon as I get back on a computer instead of a phone, I'm sending you a friend request. Seriously-- you just spoke to me. This really does nail it.

Cold_Steel

The ability to delay immediate gratification, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to persist when it seems like you are getting nowhere are all major indicators of who you really are. Weights are not going to lie to you to make you feel better about yourself. Exercise will always be honest with you about who you REALLY are. All self-deception and pleasant delusions go out the window as soon as the weights come off the rack. So who do you want to be? Someone who quits as soon as things get hard? Someone who is too weak to push themselves outside of their comfort zone? Someone to weak to change or improve, even though you want to? Or do you want to push yourself to your limits and beyond? To set aside pain and fatigue, and push out one more rep. To push through whatever obstacles or temptations get in the way of doing what you know is the right thing.

What example do you want to set for your children, and for the people who look up to you? That it's ok to quit when things get hard? That it's ok to cheat when you feel like you deserve to indulge yourself? That it's ok to fail because you are entitled to do what you want, instead of what you must? Or do you want to show them that strength of character and will can carry you through towards your goals, even when your body is failing? That the mind and spirit can overcome, and that effort, commitment and dedication pay off. That the satisfaction that comes from doing what's best, even when it's hard, is superior to the instant gratification that comes from doing the wrong thing, even though it's easy.

Strength of character cannot be faked. Your body, your mind, and your spirit are who you are. So who are you going to choose to be?

That's what keeps me going. Fitness is not about looking good, it's about life. It's about who you are.

Internet quote of the year award.

Wow you should do this for a living (if you didnt steal it from someone else.)

JPod279

I think of the two little girls in my pic and how I want to see them grow up and walk down the isle with a man as awesome as me. :bigsmile:

jallen1955

The thought that both my ex husbands are going to be at my daughter's wedding and they will both be bringing their wives/girlfriends.

mrs_schultz2012

my wedding dress hanging in my closet waiting for me to wear it! talk about some huge motivation!

Jesstruhan

Honestly? The buddies here on MFP. When I am not having success, they are, and when they are having a tough time, I'm doing ok, and the little "you can do it's" and "don't give ups" mean the world to me. Other times it is noticing that my scale is going up or not budging, or I see super fit people running by me outside and want to BE them, knowing it just takes a little more work. There are days, though, when it's all I can do to keep trying or even care that I should portion my food.

jennifer52484

motivational quotes... At the end of the day, you are choosing to get healthy for you. A year from now, you'll wish you just kept going. Don't Quit.