Can people REALLY be motivated by someone else?

Yes. On a daily basis.

Absolutely! There's a lot of times that my boyfriend will suggest that we both go to the gym. If we go together, it helps motivate me more to get out of the house--especially now in winter. This site is also motivating when I see that no one else is making excuses today! However, I believe you do have to have some inner drive that leads you to *care* about being in shape. Without that, it doesn't matter what the people around you are doing lol

YES....

at the gym the other night was on the elliptical and was just about done when this cute girl got on the glider n front of me wearing yoga pants, sports bra and a pony tail. another 20 minutes may not kill anyone but it will make you sore like nobody's business..
Just sayin...

I say you still need some internal drive to do something because if you don't want to do it, you don't want to do it. I can tell you that yes, others can motivate you. I have a friend whom at the time, I had not talked to in two years. When I saw her again, she had dropped like 60 pounds. I was like "Holy Crap!" I was definitely impressed, and it was a motivational factor for me to start to improve my health. It could also be that I was and still am attracted to her, and didn't want her seeing me like I am now. Had to catch up.

Now, I'm doing this for myself. I want to look in the mirror and see my slim sexy self of yesteryear. I remember what it was like to be in shape (and not the round shape).

It has to come from within. Motivation and support from others is just a bonus.

And I say this from experience. I used people as crutches in my weight loss attempts before. I'd buddy up with someone and they didn't check in with me as often as I thought they should so it was their fault that I failed. Or they didn't keep up with our gym schedule and that made it ok for me to slack off too. We're adults, we're all accountable for our own actions and it's no one's fault but our own if we fail. If something doesn't work then you figure out another way to make it work. You don't blame someone or something else for your failures.

For instance, it's not my husband's fault if he tempts me with pizza and I give in...that's on me. But I can find ways to lessen the blow. I plan meals for the week so when he asks me "hey, how about pizza for dinner", I can say "no, I really need to cook up this chicken or it'll go bad, maybe Saturday". This also gives me a chance to plan my calories for Saturday (eat light, exercise) so that I can afford that pizza. And knowing my husband like I do, if he's asking for take-out a lot, it's probably because he's not enjoying the current choices. So maybe I get out the recipe book and come up with some new and tasty options and have a little chat with him about what he'd like since he's obviously bored.

To answer the OP (original poster)'s question, for me, I am DEFINITELY motivated when I see someone who is fit (or fat) working out. It makes me realize that I, too, am capable of doing it! But, yes, you must get to a point where you really want to make a change. For me, it was going to my yearly checkup (which I hadn't been to in years) and being told I had to do something or else I may get diabetes. I went to a nutritionist and started MFP and haven't looked back.

EDIT: Oh, by the way, I am only 21, so you can imagine how shocked I was when I heard that I may get diabetes.

First the "CLICK", then when it begins to wax and wane, and the creeps start to tug at your mind....."ah just a bite won't hurt, and I'll eat that, and start again tomorrow"...THAT'S when friends and other peoples success, empathy, pictures, struggles, etc...can keep you from giving in...at least that's how it was for me...the click came the morning of January 1st....I had been making all the plans, slowly changing things for 2 month, (since Thanksgiving), but when I woke up New Years Day, I was headed right for the kitchen to do my usual routine.....and then CLICK....IT HAPPENED, I said "NO, Not this time!!!!" Literally out-loud, I said that! And have not looked back in 37 days. I have lost 18 pounds in this past 5 weeks and I have had several little nigglings in my mind....but then I get on MFP and either start to write my blog, or look in the community for success with pics....it has been a great tool....but i needed the CLICK initially. Beth Ann

I truly find motivation and inspiration in other people. I have had so many low days, but when I see someone just hang in there and fight the fight, I get new motivation to keep on going. This has happened SO many times in my journey.

Or....does something INSIDE of each person have to "click" to change long-held behaviors? I believe it's the latter.

Your thoughts please.

the latter for sure!! My family (bros, mum, hubby) has been pushing me and trying to motivate me for an year now but never ever it clicked... unless in Jan, there was a festival and we had to go shopping and all dresses were so tight .. even then i didnt feel the heat to lose weight totally.... but again on the day of festival, my bros took some pics and i almost puked looking at my ownself and its after a week of that incident that i really moved my *kitten* and from then on trying to at least get sweated for 30 min in a day and keeping a track of what i am eating and all that...

Of course, i started to look at Success Story pics in MFP to add the fuel but the heat should start within!!

i think it comes from within. once you start we easily become motivated by others. i heard a saying once; after hearing it i've applied it to my life. i've referred to it over and over again. here it is, I hope it strikes a chord in just one of you and inspires...
- if you settle for what you got, you deserve what you get -
humm think about it, how's it apply to you & don't we all deserve better? :huh:

I think it is both as well. I personally think it is easier to have a support system. My husband and I have decided to eat healthier and lose weight together. We tried this in the past, but when one of us "cheated", the other one did as well. So we are more willing to stick to the plan. If one wants to cheat on our diet/exercise program, the other has to tell them it's not a good idea. It is so easy to get into those old eating habbits, but so hard to try and dig yourself out of it again.

I think it's mostly a personal decision to want to change. YOU have to want it. But encouragement and people noticing your efforts and progroess definitely help.

I believe it's both.

People have to find their motivation within themselves, but sometimes it takes seeing someone else to make it "click". Once you're motivated on your own, it's more than possible to get extra motivation from others.

I believe that most people need a "life changing moment" in there lives that enables them to motivate themselves. Only after you have made that lifestyle change is when you need to get motivation and help from others. The beginning is the easy part sticking to it is the hard part.

Yes, but it usually involves firearms or a medieval dungeon.