What keeps you motivated?

making exercise date with my friends and family

sunday and wednesday a go to the gym with my mum and brother
tuesday go to the gym with my best friend
monday wednesday thursday go to dancing with my friends

make people your excuse to keep going

I refuse to be a statistic. I value myself too much to fall into being part of the 65% of Americans who are overweight/obese. And I definitely want to be the shining example for my daughter that with work, calorie control and right attitude, that there isn't any reason to be part of the 65% if there's no medical issue.
When you truly value yourself like you should, then motivation isn't an issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I think little things every day that I think about keep me going. I was playing basketball with my friends son and I am not agile at all like I use to be. I felt like a bumbling giant playing with him. Then one day I went to walk and the park was PACKED with people and I was so embarrased I was about to turn around and leave when I saw a man walking that had to be almost twice my size. I said to myself, don't be a lazy bum, if he can do it so can you. I felt so much better after I did it. The just the other day I went to walk and it was raining so there was hardly anyone else there. So I decided to try running. I haven't really ran since high school so after I felt so acomplished I wanted to do it again and again.

For the long term I keep thinking about how eating crap food hasn't made me any healthier so maybe I should try eating the healthy stuff for a while and see how that goes. I'm still young enough that I can lose weight faster and easier then if I wait another 5 or 10 years. I've doubled the number in my pants size since high school and I felt tired and sluggish all the time. I don't want to feel embarrased to go back home and visit my friends and family because I've packed on lots of weight. And I think most of all I want to have my mom finally shut up about my size.

I look at my before pics, when I was at my heaviest 306.2 and I know that I never want to go back there, I have come to far to mess it all up now and I want to press on till I make it to my goal. I think of my kids and how I want to be around for them for a long, long, long time! I want to teach them to eat healthy and to love exercise so they don't ever know what it's like to be obese! I want to show those who say I will quit and won't make it to my goal that I will do it!

Now that is a motivating statement- clapping for you

Thanks!!

I told myself I was doing it and I am not quitting until I do.

I make a plan for the week and try to stick to it as closely as possible. Once I commit to the week, it's a done deal.

I also like to take inventory of myself in the morning (before gravity, bloating and god knows what else happens to me) to see my progress. I think about my workouts and remind myself of the progress or results I've gotten from them and how happy it makes me. That is usually enough to get me to go if I'm feeling questionable.

Oh, and I post pictures of the "goal" me or pictures of fit people I want to resemble all over the place and that's a good reminder to put down that extra bagel/cookie/whatever.

Sometimes, it's hard. I can play mind games with myself and convince myself that I don't need to work out and all that business. However, when it comes down to it, after I workout I feel SO much more settled with myself. I'm not thinking about how I should work out and how I didn't, I don't feel as stringent with my calories for the day, and I just feel like I made a healthy choice that day.

My boyfriend is kind of an exercise freak and works out 6 days a week. We kind of keep each other motivated. Try to find someone who can keep you accountable--even if it's on mfp!

I have a 4 year old Border Collie named Dudley that has Addison's Disease.

He's put on weight since diagnosed, because he has to maintain a daily dose of prednisone, as well as monthly Percorten-V shots.

Once he put on the weight - my husband and I notice he was having trouble getting in and out of his dog door.

So, 22 days ago we started walking every morning... just me and him... and George Michael on my ipod.

I've lost about 10 lbs in 22 days - and he's SLIDING THRU THE DOG DOOR LIKE BUTTER.

I love him. He's worth getting up at 4:45am.

Short term, I stay motivated because if I don't exercise in the morning, the rest of my day drags. And I hate that.

Long term, I want to be healthy for my kids. They are 2.5 and 7 months and even the baby is really active. I want to be able to enjoy playing with them. Also, my dog had a rough year. I was pregnant over the summer and husband works crazy shifts. Then husband deployed. So the dog has also put on some weight as it has been hard to walk him since last June/July. So I am motivated to get my doggy back in shape. It bothers me that it's my fault he put on some pounds.

I also want my kids to be healthy. It's working. My son will come home from school and ask for carrots or broccoli for a snack and it makes me happy that we're already positively impacting his eating habits.

I love the biggest loser And Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition!

But mostly... I guess at the beginning I was motivated by working out with my housemate... it kind of held us both accountable. Now though, she is too busy to workout with me, so it's just me. It seems like now I'm motivated by A) the fact that working out means I can eat more and That I'm actually seeing progress and am really close to my goal!!! I just want to get there already and I def won't get there without working out! I'm feeling much stronger and really enjoying it

Also the MFP community really helps a lot. I adore my friends on here and that we are all similar with similar goals

I go to the most fabulous gym studio and the people there are brilliant and motivational, we have all pledged to lose 1 stone by Easter and if we don't there is a forfeit, mine is a 3 mile run (I cannot yet run!!), I am 2.5 lbs off target and got 4 weeks left!
Also if I don't go for a few days or I am ill or anything like that the guys who run it will always email or text to see how I am and if they can do anything.
I also do my measurments every 2 weeks and if I have put any on I have to give them £10! I haven't had to do this yet!

I use clothes. I go shopping, buy something super cute, and then surprise buy it a size or two smaller. I try it on when I need a picker upper. It helps you get motivated plus you have a cute outfit to wear when your other clothes don't fit. I also set mini goals my first one was to be under 200. When I finished this, I took a day off of working out and had a "ME" day. Hope this helps a bit.

How far I have come. I keep a giant calendar in my room right behind my bedroom door so I see it every morning. I cross out ever day I don't binge and eat healthy. It helps motivate me and reminds me of how long I have come. Also, my MFP pals are extremely motivating for me. Such lovely and strong people.