What is your secret that keeps you going?

Having the physical ability to still participate in sports and physical activities (rock climb, swim, etc.) like I did in my younger years. When I was younger, I promised myself (many kids did too) that I wouldn't get "old" and "slow" like my grandparents did.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Because there is no better feeling than nailing a pr that you've spent months working towards.

rankinsect wrote: »

I enjoy being active, particularly hiking, and a life goal of mine is to hike Kilimanjaro. Fitness is going to be important, even if it is the easiest of the seven summits.

Hey I did that! Easiest maybe but I didn't reach the top; too out of shape. Eternal regret. Now I walk/run hills 3 times a week and I just wish I could go back in time or... anyway. It was a great trip and you'll enjoy it

And this type of things is my motivation: not missing out again and again on stuff that fit people can do and to make sure my body can respond for many more years. use or lose it

My mental well-being is dependent on working out and being active. So, it's medication or exercise and I'm fortunate enough to be someone who can manage without medication as long as I exercise.

Iron_Miss_Canada wrote: »

Because there is no better feeling than nailing a pr that you've spent months working towards.

This right here. Getting that PR is an incredible high.

jimmmer wrote: »

To crush my enemies. See them driven before me. Hear the lamentations of their women.

The usual stuff...

Although I love this answer above, mine is vanity, sanity and health. In my 20's it was only the first, after two kids and a desk job, I added the second. Once I hit my late forties I added the third.

I've exercised for, gasp, a half century. I like to feel exhausted and drip with sweat. At 61 I'm still working out. I'm working on getting back to maintenance range and staying there. I like being able to do all the workout DVDs as its getting harder and I'm getting slower. I like doing resistance work too. I get up and work out before work and six days s week. It starts my day off perfectly. I don't need partners or other people around, i just do whatever exercise routine I'm into for that decade.

Maybe at the first couple of months you'll need motivation. But when your body gets used to it, it becomes a lifestyle. No need for motivation. You'll just want to do it. So probably the secret is, just to focus on making it your lifestyle. After that you'll be automatic. Just like eating.

For me it's the desire to continually better myself

I must:
Lift a heavier weight than last time
Do more push-ups before I collapse in a heap
Run further than last time
Run faster than last time
Finish the workout I couldn't finish last time

At the end of each workout I write down exactly what I did so I can make sure the next one is better.

My secret is 3 parts:

1) I remember how everything ached when I was heavier. I was slowly killing myself. It was so hard to run for a minute. My parents have medical problems that I don't want. They are old before their time.

2) I am really enjoying finding out what I/my body is capable of. I can lift heavy, bend into crazy poses, climb rock walls, kick bootcamp booty, spin like the devil, enjoy ocrs and play with my nieces and nephew for hours.

3) I don't want my nieces and nephew or anyone else I know, to be unhealthy and shorten their lifespan. I am an example that you can be healthy and do what you love. Also I am the crazy, fun, Aunt and my nieces and nephew need that energy in their lives for at least 50 more years.