What keeps you motivated??

lynn1985
lynn1985 Posts: 16
edited September 21 in Motivation and Support
Hi,

Was just wondering what keeps you guys motivated to actually go to the gym / exercise etc??

Im finding it hard just now because I dont have my regular gym buddy to go to the gym with now. Once i go I'm always glad I do and feel better for it, but its the initial push to go - mind over matter I suppose!:smile:

Replies

  • WarmDontBurn
    WarmDontBurn Posts: 1,253 Member
    I find I have to want it really bad. I was always skinny so I know it is possible. I gained a lot with my 1st child but calorie counted my way down to a reasonable weight and that was because I wanted another baby and knew I had to gain weight. I would rather gain after a loss then gain on top of a gain!

    This time my motivation is family pictures! It will hang in our house and I will see it every day so I do want the picture to portray the new me and not the overweight me!

    What keeps me going now is seeing a loss, feeling better and just that I have more energy and feel productive!
  • ashlee954
    ashlee954 Posts: 1,112 Member
    Honestly? I LOVE TO EAT! And if I workout then I can eat more!
  • Bearface115
    Bearface115 Posts: 574 Member
    to show urself and your loved ones how hott ur body can be! It is also i good thing to use your mind power to push it to EARN those extra calories so you can reward yourself with a healthy treat later on at night! Plus the support from friends and family is everything to keep my on track! hopefully next week i can reach my 10 pound loss! just 3.5 pounds more to go!!
  • TammyBee
    TammyBee Posts: 178
    I have to do it as soon as i get home from work. If i wait or sit down it will never get done! lol
  • RMinVA
    RMinVA Posts: 1,085 Member
    Honestly? I LOVE TO EAT! And if I workout then I can eat more!

    Me too!! I exercise to have fun! Seriously, I run so I always have my next race lined up. Even if I fall off the exercise wagon a bit, I know at some point I have to get moving again.
  • balfonso
    balfonso Posts: 370 Member
    Honestly? I LOVE TO EAT! And if I workout then I can eat more!

    Hahaha I totally agree! Me TOO! :love: nom nom nom.

    Also, working out makes me feel positive and happy after. I do it because I want that "happy feeling". And if I keep working out, and continue this healthy living, I can one day be a hot grandma! :laugh:
  • lutzsher
    lutzsher Posts: 1,153 Member
    I have to do it as soon as i get home from work. If i wait or sit down it will never get done! lol

    Me too! I don't check the mailbox, voicemail, stay away from everything . . . I run to my room and change into my workout gear, lace up those running shoes and get to it! If I do anything else I run the risk of talking myself out of it. Once you get into your "grove" you actually look forward to the "workout high" and miss it if you do skip one.
  • zilgin
    zilgin Posts: 1
    I found this new gym accidently it is small and not many people was there.That was great by me.being overweight and newer done any gym workout i was glad and ready in the beginning i was not able to do 5 min on the bike now 4 days a week i am able to do 30 min work out . i work out all alone now i have add weights to my regime.most imp I am enjoying it
  • hellokatee
    hellokatee Posts: 211 Member
    I read a lot of success stories here on MFP, which is definitely a large part of my motivation. I also try to make myself get up extra early for my workout. When I push it off until the evening, I feel like it would be so EASY to just push it OFF THE SCHEDULE!!!

    I also look at my beautiful tattoo, which is under my bust on the right hand side... I want to show it off in a bikini! That's why I go it!!!

    :)
  • amicklin
    amicklin Posts: 452
    I love how I feel after a good workout! My self confidence and mood is amazing when I regularly workout. The family I am marrying into are all very thin, call it vanity but I want to look more like 'part of the family'... so I make sure to workout for all of these reasons! Can't beat the feeling of strength!!
  • lynn1985
    lynn1985 Posts: 16
    I normally have to do it early lunchtime - after then I just seem to lose the frame of mind and think its getting to late to do it. Even going to the gym an hour later than I would normally I start feeling tired!
  • amelia_atlantic
    amelia_atlantic Posts: 926 Member
    Knowing how great I'll feel after! I also read up on different techniques and articles on this website or womenshealthmag.com for inspirations!

    I use exercise as stress relief and if I don't make time for it, I'll be a wreck!

    When I get bored with exercise, I set new limits for myself. I work towards a new personal best for different distances while running or tell myself I have to do one extra rep doing my circuit in the weight room. THEN I make new playlists for my new workouts.

    Basically, JUST GET OUT AND DO IT! You'll love yourself after! :love:
  • animatedbecca
    animatedbecca Posts: 203
    For me its family! Last year I had 3 grandkids, this year I got my first granddaughter and my baby girl married a man with two boys so I got 2 bonus grands. Now Im proud Mimi to 5 boys( 2 are almost 3, 8,9 and 10) and one baby girl(9 months). When they are all here at the same time I look around, count my blessings, know God loves me and I want to be here to enjoys my blessings as long as I possibly can!:heart::heart: :heart:
  • JustBeckyV
    JustBeckyV Posts: 182
    For me - I don't ever want to go back to where I was at before!! I like the way I look now and feel and I enjoy the challenge of running and what I can accomplish! That and it allows me to eat my ice cream I enjoy :)
  • PJilly
    PJilly Posts: 22,261 Member
    I think I have a slightly different take on motivation. To me, motivation is a feeling, not an action, and it's the action I take that gets me where I want to be. Sure, it's easier to do what needs to be done when you actually feel like doing it, but it's not necessary. When someone asks me how I stay motivated, the truth is that I don't. I often tell my kids they are free to feel however they feel, but that doesn't give them license to behave however they want. I made the decision a year ago that I want to be healthy and fit. I understand what that takes, and I have made the commitment to do what it takes to get what I want.
  • RominaSullivan
    RominaSullivan Posts: 42
    There are a few things that keep me motivated:

    1 - FOOOOD! Like some people said before, If you work out, you can eat more! I just love eating so much that I look forward to working out and having more calories so I can eat them :-)

    2- I love my workouts!! When I first started working out i had a really hard time getting my butt to the gym. I dreaded cardio days because I got so bored of running or being on the elliptical, but since I started doing things that I enjoy (zumba, yoga, aqua aerobics, kickboxing, etc) I look forward to my workouts because they are fun and make me feel energized and happy! I mix them up often too so I don't get bored.

    3- Feeling toned! I just love stretching my arms/back or walking around and feeling my muscles getting stronger and firming up. I couldn't stand being flabby and weak before and I don't want to go back to that!

    And well, in general I've gotten so used to working out 4-5 times a week that when I don't I feel lazy and "blaaah"
    I don't like that feeling! Not to mention that my clothes fit so much better now! I'm wearing pants I had not worn in 2-3 years! That just gives me so much motivation to keep going!!

    I hope you find what motivates you soon!!! It's so worth it :-D
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