Does anyone use a physical object for motivation?

holly78
holly78 Posts: 347
in Motivation and Support
Hey Gang!

I was just wondering if any of us use a physical object for motivation. I have heard of people leave out a bikini or a dress they want to fit into. But I was looking for other ideas of something physical i can keep to keep me motivated on days where i am just feeling blah and want to give up. Any Ideas????
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Replies

  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Well...I had bins of clothes in my attic from before I was married/had a kid. A lot of them were really nice because I spent my money more freely then. I wanted to wear them. I did. Now most of them are too big or still fit great! I never bought anything specific that I wanted to fit in though. There were two pairs of jeans in the bins that I was dying to get back into. The first ones I only got to wear a few times before they were too big!
  • KilikiMom
    KilikiMom Posts: 237 Member
    if you count a mirror as a physical object.....that is what keeps me motivated...ohh and i do admit i have my "skinny" shorts hanging up in the bathroom that i still will put on time to time even though its too cold to wear them...just t make sure they still fit LOL
  • Amberonamission
    Amberonamission Posts: 836 Member
    I have a size 6 (usa) dress that I keep right in front of my closet. So I look at it and want to wear it always.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Does a whip count?
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    I have a pair of jeans...they match a corset and were Azac fashion runways that they were selling at the end of the season...I've had them since September 2008...I still can't wear them, but I've dropped several sizes and now I can get them on, but not buttoned...when I first got them I couldn't get them over my knees...so YAY...sometime before I die I will get them on...it won't be today...it may not even be soon...but this journey will simply not end until I do get them on...and it will probably continue just so I can keep getting them on...
  • monroe61
    monroe61 Posts: 620 Member
    My husband...HA

    he has lost 90lbs and is now smaller than me and I HATE that!!
  • holly78
    holly78 Posts: 347
    My husband...HA

    he has lost 90lbs and is now smaller than me and I HATE that!!

    My boyfriend is already way smaller than me, and I'd be unhealthy i think if I was his size, although him being that small does help a little, even though he loved me at my heaviest.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    My wife uses the thought of a bikini but not a physical one. I use the current shape of my body and the shape I want it to be. Not too far off but a work in progress.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Dirtiest topic ever :p
  • muddyventures
    muddyventures Posts: 360 Member
    I gave each of my four children a taser and then I told them if I stop moving or start eating something I'm not supposed to eat, to zap away :)
  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    I actually have many clothes in sizes I can no longer fit into, that motivate me.
  • jennm72
    jennm72 Posts: 45 Member
    I have a Pandora bracelet that I buy a charm for every 10 pounds I lose. It is oddly motivating to me.
  • x_cinder_x
    x_cinder_x Posts: 118 Member
    Not sure if this counts, but my Mp3 player.

    I love music. When I'm feeling unmotivated and blah a few min of zoning out and head bopping to a favorite song really seems to pick me up. I don't know why, but then I seem to have the energy to go ahead and get the days exercise out of the way.
  • OddChoices
    OddChoices Posts: 244 Member
    Hee here. Yes. I love that my hubby thinks my butts look great. He is my physical motivation.
  • holly78
    holly78 Posts: 347
    I gave each of my four children a taser and then I told them if I stop moving or start eating something I'm not supposed to eat, to zap away :)


    bahahahaha...this made me lol.
  • holly78
    holly78 Posts: 347
    I have a Pandora bracelet that I buy a charm for every 10 pounds I lose. It is oddly motivating to me.


    Great Idea! I have one too perhaps I will do the same!
  • murf19
    murf19 Posts: 453 Member
    I use before pictures and tape them around the house. I also use postcards from places I plan on going.
    Things like your yearbook for reunions, a wedding invitation, etc. Its really whater gets you going.
  • dandaninc
    dandaninc Posts: 392
    I use my fat *kitten* in the mirror at the gym and I picked up a closing pin at my dropzone that I wear around my neck to remind myself of my goals.
  • StrongAtLast
    StrongAtLast Posts: 137 Member
    I also have a braclet that I wear with a motivation quote on it. Picked the quote myself. (got on etsy)
  • squishycow7
    squishycow7 Posts: 820 Member
    I don't personally... I suppose I have a few things lingering in my closet that don't QUITE fit me yet, but it's not like I take them out and look at them.

    I do, however, like to look at pics of people's success stories ... had to carefully phrase that so I wasn't saying "I like to look at pictures of hot chicks on the internet" but I guess that's what it is, haha!!! Some of my MFP friends are rockin it so I do take a look at them and think, ya know, that could be me if I stick to it..


    edit to add: I also (before I moved) had post-its all over my house with inspirational food/nutrition quotes - inside of the fridge, inside of the snacks cupboard, inside of the bathroom medicine cabinet, etc
  • jasondcooper
    jasondcooper Posts: 125
    Yes! Spotify is always running on my Android during my workouts.
    Not sure if this counts, but my Mp3 player.

    I love music. When I'm feeling unmotivated and blah a few min of zoning out and head bopping to a favorite song really seems to pick me up. I don't know why, but then I seem to have the energy to go ahead and get the days exercise out of the way.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I don't use or need motivation. If after a few months of your healthier lifestyle you still depend on some sort of motivation and it hasn't become habit or second nature to you, there's a problem.
  • mmaoz
    mmaoz Posts: 6 Member
    I guess so.


    I mean, i'm not losing weight for no reason. The physical reason is my body.
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    I do. :blushing: I picked up a CUTE summer dress at a grocery store of all places. There was only 1 size. Last time I tried it on it was still a bit tight in the hips. I keep it hanging up in my bathroom, which is where I get dressed every morning. That way I see it every day.
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    I do! I have my high school cheer leading uniform on the top of my dresser. When I can close the button on that skirt again without suffocating, I will be ecstatic.
  • kelseyhere
    kelseyhere Posts: 1,123 Member
    i use quotes written on little sticky notes or directly on my mirror with dry erase board. i put them in really obvious places, on my desk, my my computer, in my books, etc. i also keep a running file of positive quotes on my computer desktop.

    also i never really put my running shoes or hrm away. i always leave them out in view as a reminder to get my butt moving!

    there isn't something run with you if you need motivation. i've worked out my whole life and it is a habit for me (to the point where i'm restless if i don't), but i still have to find ways to motivate myself. there are just so many other things to distract me! you have to do whatever works for you to keep working out a priority in your life.

    i also had the idea to use chalk board paint to paint an area on my wall in the kitchen wear i can write my healthy grocery list and positive motivation!
  • LadyPakal
    LadyPakal Posts: 256 Member
    I have a photo of me from 20 years ago stuck on the fridge. Sad thing is, I was not happy with my weight then but I would be ecstatic now.
  • rubberbiscuit
    rubberbiscuit Posts: 128
    I posted a picture of me from last Christmas on my kitchen door. It's a reminder of why I don't want to backslide.
  • theologynerd
    theologynerd Posts: 264 Member
    The tub of my old clothes were my motivation for a long time. When the scale wasn't moving but I was still working hard, it was nice to try the old skinny stuff on and feel a difference in how they fit. One at a time, the jeans ended up fitting again, and it was GLORIOUS. Even better was tossing them in the bag for Goodwill when they got too baggy. Once I used that tub up, I would buy a size lower than I could wear just to have that same motivation. I have a pair of 5/6 jeans hanging in my closet that fit a touch snug, and I'm going to keep trying them on until I can wear them all day comfortably. Then it will be time to buy a size lower. I also keep a board on Pinterest full of pictures of fit, athletic women, motivational quotes, and exercises. I keep great music handy. It's nice that I have a before pic of myself on my MFP, so I can check that out at any time. It's pretty gross.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I have a heavily embroidered orange plaid button up western shirt that i LOOOOOOVE that I will not stop until I fit back into it. The last time I fit into it was 6-7 years ago, and even then it was a bit snug.

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