what keeps you motivated?

The changes that I have gone through so far!! And not wanting to go back to where I was. In a nutshell, I lost 50lbs and I don't want it back, LOL.

- To prove to my mom that I can get to a healthy weight for my height (ya, my mom told me I wouldn't lose the 60lbs I gained with my son and has said I will never get back to what I weighed in highschool which is the high side of a normal bmi for someone my height....so far, I lost the weight I gained with my son and plus some before becoming pregnant again...once the baby is here, I will continue to prove her wrong)

Sometimes this is the BEST motivator.

What started my motivation was that my wife had weight loss surgery and after seeing how hard that was, and knowing i had to lose weight I decided to give it one last go on my own without surgery, i had done every fad diet and failed because they arent realistic for me to do the rest of my life and be happy, i had gone to the surgeon and set a surgery plan, but after doing MFP for the last 6 months (which has been the longest diet change ive stuck with ever) with good results i've put the thought of surgery out of my mind, that was my original motivation to do this, that and i dont want to die younger then i should because of my weight, and i want to be more active.
one thing that motivates me now is being able to start shopping in some regular stores, and not just big and tall stores, i dont want to ever go back to where i was just 6 months ago and ive thrown out all of my clothes that i use to wear so it wouldnt be easy to go backwards, i kept 1 pair of my jeans from 6 months ago as a reminder.
Another thing that motivates me is the positive comments on weight loss from people. and i'll be damned if i go back to where i was now and look like a failure.

The overwhelming WANT and NEED to feel amazing in whatever I wear.. and feel confident again, like I once did :-)

I keep detailed notes/records of my progress, so the times where my motivation is low or zero, I review them to see the evidence that what I'm doing actually is working.

Another thing that motivates me is reading scientific studies showing, e.g. the by now clearly established link between obesity and dementia, how the brain generally deteriorates, how your bones become brittle, how your risk of diabetes and heart deceases increase, unless you exercise regularly. There are also lots of recent studies that shows the benefits of exercise, e.g. a better functioning nerve system, growth of new brain cells and so many others.

I ask myself how long I want to live and how I want to live. Then going to the gym suddenly becomes so easy!

I want to look nice, and i want to be able to run a mile without dropping dead after 12.5 minutes. (yes, i can't even run a 12-minute mile).

I have/had eating disorder tendencies and i notice that everytime i'm feeling really bad and having those 'thoughts' again i really have to keep myself going.

mirrors and pizza.

My measurements!

I'm pretty close to my goal, and am trying to gain some lean muscle and tone up. So at this point the number on the scale is moving very slowly (which can be a bit disheartening for someone who used to have such a weight-orientated mindset). I've learnt to trust my measurements and how my clothing fits, and of course, how I look in the mirror! Have to say, the changes I see are motivating - my butt is starting to look perky hahahaha :laugh:

The change in me.

Not just physically but mentally.

I never, ever, want to go back to the person I was a year or so ago.

Oh come on! For women...SEX! SEX SEX SEX keeps us motivated, and looking good doing it. Why is that so hard to admit! It is fun, so let's roll with it!