Sage

Alrighty- so I've gone about oh, eight years of my life saying that THIS was it, I was gonna lose weight, I was gonna start exercising. A few times I've managed to keep exercising, mainly when I had a health and fitness class that made me go to the gym to get a grade. And I've lost weight those times too, even when I wasn't being totally rigorous and going to the gym every day. And this year, I told myself again, THIS was it, I was going to do it, and I did for a while, but then, I stopped.

I looked at myself today and thought "this just isn't me anymore." I don't look like how I want to, and I feel like my body isn't a true representation of ME.

I know some of you will have snide comments about how I should get off my lazy ass, and I'm past all that. I wanna know what keeps you motivated? I live in an apartment complex with a 24 hour access gym facility, and I feel like if it was just 100 yards closer to my apartment, I *might* be motivated to go; when I say that to myself I feel so ridiculous for being so un-motivated. I'd really appreciate any and all help with how to start/ where to start/ how to maintain/ how to lose weight steadily. I've had a comprehensive health and fitness course, so I know about heart rate and fat burning zone and diet and things like that. But I still need some help!

So, all you wonderful TFPers (and you guys are great about giving advice on anything!), what did YOU do to get off the couch? What was YOUR motivation?

ps- feel free to PM me if you have any good, long winded (or even short winded) suggestions/advice for how to actually go about changing my lifestyle.

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joemc91

Sophmore year of college. I just decided to lose some weight, started swimming and running every night followed a few months later by going weightlifting occasionally. Now that I'm down to a more appropriate weight for my build (157 light build, down from 200) I'm going to gain endurance for sports and muscle for strength and to a lesser extent, to look better. Of course, the eye candy at college gyms is a plus too . I really don't know what keeps me motivated however. I do enjoy the sports and lifting is ok since I run into a lot of friends at the gym. My motivation used to be looking better to help me get girls more interested (shallow, but seemed like a good idea when I started) but I've pretty much failed at that so I don't really know anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if it were the feeling that I would fall back into my high school self if I stopped. Hopefully that makes sense, although it's of dubious help.

Arroe

I never was really overwieght, but I go to the gym several times a week to work out any stress or anger I have. I also like to go to the gym before I go out at night (around 5 I'll go so I have time to shower and change and go out by 7:30) because it makes me feel much more self confident and when I look in the mirror I always look 1000 times better than before. Once you get into a routine then you don't really need to worry about being motivated because you will automatically do it.

R3d

depression.. getting out and doin something keeps that shit away.. that and i wanna get back to how i was when i graduated from highschool.. i want that 8pack back

cinnles

I say "you can read that book if you're going to be on an exercise bike", so I hop on down and read for half an hour before doing a round of weights.

I get a bit irritable if I don't go to the gym these days, so thats pretty much why i go!

Ultimate_Gohan

Well SAGE, I was kind of in the same boat as you. After highschool, I was about 150 and I am 5'11" with the skrawny body. I had a neck and head together looked like an upside down triangle. My neck was was very, VERY thin and I had bad posture because of it. I wanted to get bigger and fill myself out. I went to the gym and I kept thinking, I know it will take a while but it will all be worth it. Before I knew it, I am 195 and I can bench around 260. I went for my driver's licence photo and I really saw the difference. Now all I can think about when I go is I don't want to look like my old licence.

Grasshopper Green

I never lost my baby weight, other than the actual baby and loss of accumulated fluids...about 20 extra pounds. I just decided I was tired of looking like that, I wanted to fit comfortably in my clothes again and I refused to buy bigger ones. Plus, I want to look decent for my upcoming high school reunion, which is vain of me, but it's the honest truth.

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"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

ryfo

my health. Ended up in hospital with 245/155 blood pressure and no known cause (not really overweight & don't smoke) also suffer anxiety decided to try & help myself and joined the local gym. Haven't really lost weight but bp and anxiety have improved.

shred_head

I just wanted to look better, plain and simple. I've always been skinny and just wanted to add something to it. I'm still not what I want to be but I'm much closer than I was before. And actually, now I'm dieting to lose a little bit of fat on my stomach to bring out my abs, and so far it's working. I really like what I see in the mirror nowadays and that makes me happy so I plan to keep it up.

And I keep doing it because I really enjoy it. I love being in the gym and always look forward to it, even on the dreaded leg days. So it's not a chore for me to go or to keep up with it, to me it's just a lot of fun.

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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" -- Albert Einstein

"A clear indication of women's superiority over man is their refusal to play air guitar." --Frank Zappa

Sage

thank you guys SO very very much! Keep posting your motivations! I'm on my way to finding mine... I know that if I go enough, I'll start liking it a lot (this has happened before) but it's the starting it up that I always have trouble with!

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Suave

My best motivation was probably my brother. He works out more than I do, so if I ever feel like I want to work out but just can't, I can pretty much just look at him and be inspired (him being the younger brother, and shorter than me, I feel that I should have more muscle ). My competitiveness has waned, but it's still a good motivator to see family members or friends doing what you want to do.

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"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein

"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

Mel

It took me so long to actually get out there and start to train... So many times of starting and then giving up till eventually I felt so bad I just did it and kept going. My SO has helped me a lot, and needing to train to get my black belt got me out there as well.

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dogzilla

My father was never very active and his health started to deteriorate from about age 40. I promised myself that I would never let my health deteriorate due to something I didn't do. My wife encourages me to stay in shape and she is also pretty good about keeping in shape. We figure it's better to do this than to spend our old age crippled by heath problems. Finally, since I work a desk job, it's a nice change to get out and do something in the countryside.

rockzilla

I started working out about a year and a half ago because I wanted to get stronger and look better. I stay motivated because every couple of weeks I'm able to lift a little more weight, or I'll notice a little more muscle definition when I look in the mirror. Getting in shape has all but eliminated all the everyday aches and pains that I used to deal with. Not to mention that working out is the best stress relief I can think of. I look forward to getting to the gym after a rough day at work. There are so many benefits that I couldn't imagine stopping now.

frogza

It used to be for looks, I was tired of being the skinny guy that everyone under-rated during sports. That has changed now, I really don't care what people think of me.

When I was 19 I herniated two disks in my lower back. I hate taking pain pills so I tried looking for ways to get rid of the pain and discovered that strengthening my stomach fould help. Now one disk is in great shape and the other is mildly dehydrated, and I have no back pain. So I keep working out partially to keep the pain away.

Second reason: I picked up rock climbing about 4 years ago. So I keep my arms and legs strong because my life depends on it.

Ilow

I think people generally make the decision for one of two reasons: either approach or avoidance. They either want to move towards something--looking good in their bathing suit, looking good for a reunion, improving their quality of life, looking better to the opposite sex, or they want to move away from something--looking out of shape, being in poor health, not having as many dates as they would like, and so forth.
Probably a combination of the two is best for long term fitness motivation, you have to both be disgusted with your current state, and also want an improved one.
I find that the best kind of workout is when you don't even know your working out. For instance i love to mountain bike (when the trails aren't covered by 2 feet of snow) and find that this activity is both invigorating and a good workout. Another plus to this is that I can go with my friends. If you are considering getting off the couch, I would highly suggest that you try to do it with someone who has similar goals, training partners are a huge difference maker.
I think at least a good portion of my fitness regimen is for vanity's sake, and don't see too much wrong with it. I also want to be able to be healthy into my older years and not have to use a walker the day I retire.

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"Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about"
--Sam Harris

Ace_O_Spades

We have a great support/buddy system at our University for our Football program.

If you don't do your weights, you're responsible to your teammates. We keep eachother motivated.

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Feh.

0energy0

I lift to I can look good, actually be better at breaking, and it's all for the ladies!

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Is the juice worth the squeeze?

BigBlueWrecking

I started hitting the gym really hard to train for different races. Nothing is better than finishing a race no matter how long or short. Sign up for a 5K to start small and then train for it.

Traithlon's of any lenght really keep my motivation up, and then it is to beat my own score. After you get started you will really start liking the way you look and your overall confidence will get better. You will feel better and that will motivate you. Just find whatever works for you and stick to it. You can't let a bad week or weekend let you stop the routine. Find another person to work out with to keep the motivation. Good luck and keep us posted on your success!

Willravel

After trying everything from work out partners to betting on my work out consistency, I finally found motivation. My wife. I met a beautiful girl a few years back who quite simply was in the best shape I've ever seen. She flirted with me and I got her number. I realized that in order to compete with other guys who might try to charm this beautiful and wonderful woman, I'd not only need to be intelligent, charming, confident, a dork, and friendly, but in excelent shape. At the time, I was about 223 pounds with a belly and little definition. A few years later, and quite a bit of work, I am holding at about 170 pounds and I can sprint for about a mile without stopping. No belly, little body fat, superior health (I haven't been sick in well over a year) and a better night's sleep than I thought possible have been perks. My wife and I have a beautiful daughter and will be together for the rest of our lives.

madcow

I started working regularly 3 years ago, started running 3 miles every other day and gradually moved up (started lifting weights too). Now I'm up to 25-30 miles a week and can run a 5:40 minute mile. I started because my sister started running one summer we were both home working during college. I stuck to it basically to show her that I could. Now my motivation is much much different. I have gotten in the best shape of my life and I feel that if I were to lose that I would be letting myself down BIG TIME. I also love the way I look (shallow I know), I love the way exercising makes me feel and I love that I am succeeding at something.

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Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.

thingstodo

I lift and do other stuff so I can eat and look decent. A side benefit is that I feel great. when that happens, I get the motivation to push longer on the cardio, and that ;eads tofeeling even better and eventually pushing ecen harder. It's a positive cycle I can live with - no pun intended!

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If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

intecel

I realized how fat, unhappy, and lazy I really was and decided to take a plunge. On my 24th birthday, I stepped on the scale and it was 201 lbs. I still had the mindset that I was 150 lbs like when I was 18.

I followed a friend to the gym and he got me on an elliptical. I thought I was gonna die from just 15 minutes of it. My HR was around 190 when I was barely moving on it, and I realized that I only burned about 200 cals in that time...

So, the next day, I started browsing forums on nutrition and exercise and since then I've been hooked.

I'm now a semi-lean 13% BF, down from 25+%, 31" waist, 165 lbs and I just started my first bulk a few days ago. I feel better than I ever have my entire life.

I can't wait to pack on some muscle now.. .

outdoor

I think setting SMART goals is the best way to stay motivated.
S- specific
M- measurable
A- attainable
R- realistic
T- tangible

Set both long and short range goals. When you meet a goal you feel great about it and want to keep going. I know it's easier said than done, but it helps me.

stevie667

Looked at myself in the mirror after a 3 month long ecstacy binge, thought fuck that and picked up my weights.

There have been times when i feel like i'm going nowhere, that i'm no different, but the times when i look in the mirror and see how far i've come makes all the effort and hardwork worthwhile.

Gilda

Mostly it's being able to fit into my clothes. Going up a size would mean having to buy a lot of new clothing, and while I like shopping, not being able to fit into my favorite dress would be a big drag.

I go by clothing fit. If I step on the scale and find that I've gained 5 pounds that month, but find that I'm filling out my clothes better, I'm fine with that. If things start to get tight, I'm not down with that; it's more time on the recumbent bike and stair master.

apeman

my motivations:
preventing boredom (general exercise)
staving off depression (general exercise)
the need for speed (biking)
ability to rip people's heads off next time i'm in a fight (weights)
oh, and impressing chicks

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pain is inevitable but misery is optional - stick a geranium in your hat and be happy

Iliftrocks

Hard work is good for the soul, and it helps you to sleep..... insomnia and depression suck.

If you don't like lifting, walking is a great way to get out and do something. Maybe try some different activities like dance, bowling, etc. until you find something you like and that might help you keep motivatied.... Though I've never tried it, a couple of the women at work swear by yoga...

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bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

R3d

couldnt have said it any better myself.. except i run more then bike..

StephenSa

Well, I'm a bit of a geek/nerd I guess. I love Sci- Fi, read comic books, go to Renn Faires and the like, don't have any interest in sports, heck don't even know anything about sports! Anyhoo, at various conventions and especially at the Renn Faire I see lots of people that are very overweight and generally soft. That's sort of the stereotype of those with my personality ala "comic book guy" from the Simpsons. I was a big softy myself and just decided I didn't want to perpetuate that stereotype. I started going to the gym. Any time I considered slacking off I thought about how great it would be to be "muscle guy" at the Faire or look a little more like the heroes in the comic books I read. I hired a personal trainer for ten sessions and that taught me a lot and kept me consistent with going to the gym. Now that I know how to exercise and have made it a regular thing its not so hard to go and I enjoy it. Also after making so dramatic a change (I lost fifty pounds of fat and put on muscle) my friends comment regularly on my gym activities or what I'm eating (God forbid one them see me eat a french fry!) so knowing I am being watched helps motivate me as well. I'd recommend having a goal - a certain weight target and a realistic time frame to reach it. For me it was a 32 waist by opening day of Renn faire. If its a goal that involves accountability that helps. For example, set a date in three months where you'll go to some beach activity or meet up with a group of friends you have'nt seen in a while. That way you have the extra motivation of wanting to look good for the event. If you can hire a trainer or make appointments with a training partner that will help you get to the gym when you rather skip. Much like an airplane it takes a lot fuel to get off the ground but once your up there you its a lot easier. When you start exercising the first month will be tough but after that it'll just be a part of your life.

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Thousands of Monkeys, all screaming at once. Pulling God's finger.

Sage

Thank you guys so much for all the comments! I've started a big swing in the right direction for my eating habits- more water, less processed carbs and fat, more lean protein, more veggies and fruits, and I found that was pretty easy. I've been using freeweights at home, and once spring break is over I'm going to talk to the head of the Health and Fitness dept at my college who's a good buddy of mine, so I can pinpoint just what it is I need to be changing. It's hard as hell to want to do it, but like I said it's so stupid to just keep looking at myself and telling myself I wanna change and then not doing it.

Keep the good advice comin!

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minyn

Here's my list of motivatiions. it is in cronological order becuase as i grow, my singlemotivation changes. i generally only have one at any one particular time, no idea why.

1. 7th -9th grade - my friends. i had a lotof overweight friends and the couple who wanted to do somethign i agreed to go work out with them, and it worked well for myself and decently. cheering on a friend is less self centered and keeps you going simply becuase you dont want to to give up on them. make sense?

2. 10-12th grade - sports and that little voice that kept saying "you do this now and youll be able to look good forever" a bit naive but it worked then.

3. THroughout college ive had a few. Avoiding the freshmen 15 (which a lot of my friends earned), a challange from other friends and sometimes myself.

4 Bolder Boulder - I will run it one of these years. but that'll take a lot of training cuz 6 miles is no morning jaunt.

5. Boys - yea, its been stupid but its worked for me a few times. only side affect is it is short lived.

my current one? I dont want my summer to end up like last years, one that included three jobs for 16 hours a day and living off popcorn and soda at the movie theatre i worked at. it was dangerously depressing and i need to avoid that from ever happening again.

basically it has to be one that you find works. and if anythign, play the "youll hate getting there but love the feeling afterward" game cuz thats my prob. i hate getting ready and the first half hour, but afterwards i feel dangerously indestructable!

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"Woke up this morning with a blue moon in my eye"
~A3 "woke up this morning"

"Don't compromise yourself, you're all you've got." -Janis Joplin

Strange Famous

Im still looking for some motivation... I wish I could find it.

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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Scarlet

Well, I wouldn't wish my motivation on anyone, but here's mine. Last September, I lost a friend I've known since high school to breast cancer. When she went into the hospital the last time, I felt horrible. Partly because I knew she was losing the battle, but also because I had been squandering my youth and my health by not taking care of myself. So last August I started eating better. In September, I added a step class once a week with another friend from high school It was a small commitment to make, and it was as much a commitment to maintaining and celebrating a longtime friendship as it was to exercise, but we both felt like we owed it to Nancy to make the effort to be healthier. I've since started walking on the weekends and working out with weights, and I've taken up belly dancing. I've lost 42 pounds so far and still going...and loving every minute of it.

Secondary motivation...a line I stole from the movie, American Beauty "I want to look good naked"

lindseylatch

Although mine isn't as bad as Scarlet's, it's bad in a different way...I want to look good for the b/f.
And, my mom tells me I'm fat...everytime I go home I feel like shit. She doesn't even have to say anything anymore. too many visits where the first thing out of her mouth was weight related ("Oh, you've gained a few pounds" or "You've lost some wieght, now don't gain it back!"). Ugh...her weight insecurities have been nicely passed on to me.

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"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities"
"If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him."
"It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
-Voltaire

gotekix

My motivation is myself. I have been lifting weights for about a year now. I've been pretty active all my life, playing sports and biking. I like looking in the mirror in the morning and seeing that I am in shape. It also helps that now that I've been lifting weights I get compliments from friends and family. It makes me feel even better when I can help someone out with their diet and workouts. That's pretty much what keeps me motivated.

lordpoopshank

I just think about all those really hot chics that are gonna want my bod when its chiseled and ripped.

almostaugust

My mental health. Fitness has always been a part of my life, when im inactive i get depressed. I went through a stage when i was 18 that was pretty dark. I just started going for these 10km midnight runs. I did this for 3 years. I guess it was a kind of cathartic therapy. Also, somewhere in there, i like the pain, and the high after the pain. All the best.

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'And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass'

kwong_1978

Everyone's got their unique motivation-Be it for yourself or someone else. The thing I've notice is that to keep going-one have to make it a lifestyle. A daily routine of exercise and proper diet. Then once it becomes entrenched and habitual-Days or weeks without-will leave you empty and dis-satisfied.

Minorci

For me.. my primary motiviation is that im sick of being podgy and decided to do something about it. Suffering from depression a little bit was a lack of motiviation but i started doing with with a friend, a gym routine. I can safely say this added activity in my life, - im going to the gym at least 3 times a week now - has gotten rid of my depression, im incredibly happy during the day and i feel fantastic. That was the only thing i changed in my life was become more active. Definately been one of the best decisions i've made.