What is your motivation?

When I first started losing weight, I just wanted to be skinnier. And although I still want to look good and feel confident, I am more concerned with being healthy overall!

being fat sucks

^^
This.
Plus I don't want to die early.

Twenty-two years ago I was injured in two successive car accidents (neither my fault!). Just prior to that I was in the best shape of my life. I still struggle with some of the effects of those injuries. It can make exercise challenging...lots of starts and stops because of physical pain. In addition there are certain diseases that run in my family. All this coupled with stress from a demanding job and the effects aging...well..let's just say the odds were stacking up against me that I would develop all these diseases...and blood work started to bear this out. I told my husband I wanted to be healthier for him and my daughter. I wanted to do my best to prevent or lessen the effects of these diseases.

Long story very short, I have lots of motivation...I am reminded every day of how far I've come. I work with a trainer who has kept me on track; he's helped me find alternative exercises when I'm not feeling so great. I am not pain free but it's becoming much more manageable. I also started keeping a small journal with me to jot down whatever's on my mind for this journey...it can be as simple as "I walked 4 flights of stairs today! This is the first time I've done this (ever) in the twelve years I've worked at this location!" Simple reminders of accomplishments can now help to motivate me, too!

I wanna be hot(ter)!!!

My doctor's kick in the pants initally. But mostly being a healthy example for my family, and my desire to look my best!

The mirror, the scale, the way my clothes fit, and pictures. Also, the people that notice an comment. Affirmation is good!

I started fencing a year ago, which was a dream come true. It has been amazing and I am doing well, but I know I will do better if I am fitter and carrying less of me around. I have asked my coach to hold me accountable with the exercise side of things to help me keep on track.

My am my own motivation more or less. I want to be healthy and in shape again, I used to love going outside and just being active going to the lakes and swimming. For years now I have left myself down and just got lazy and day by it just gets worse. I look at my daughter and want to be able to do things with her not just watch from the side. She is also my motivation along with my mom. I also want to be happy when I see myself in a picture not deleting every picture that gets taken of me. I am 22 and feel as if I am trapped in the wrong body.

When I hit over 200 lbs it was sort of a wake up call for me. My knees were starting to hurt from the excess weight and I was so unhappy with the way I looked. My pants stopped fitting me, I felt awkward and fat, and I had no energy. I used MFP because I have an iPhone and the app is just phenomenal for adding calories throughout the day. I love the social aspect because it keeps me in line. I just want to feel better about my body, be healthier, have more energy, feel less pain physically, and so that when I have kids I can keep up with them.

So I can stand next to my 'hot' partner and feel that I look as good as he does!