What keeps you motivated?

[smalltowngal]

What keeps you motivated to eat healthy and exercise? I have found that keeping a journal of everything I eat and all of my workouts keeps me on track. If I have to write down that I ate a piece of chocolate cake it usually keeps me from eating it or if I look back and see that my workout is blank for 3 days I am motivated to get moving.
Some people are motivated by having an accountibility partner...some simply because of health reasons...some by putting old pictures of yourself on the refirgerator. What keeps you going?

[gemsab]

An old picture of me pre-weight loss definitely keeps me motivated. I do not want to look like that ever again. I also do not want to have to buy clothyes in a bigger size.................I'd rather spend the money on smaller sized clothes. And most of all, I am motivated by my lady friends at Curves and my BEST group on another site. Hee Hee!

Emily

[emarray]

Honestly, I wish I knew.

My motivation has been at an all-time low for too long now. It's gone on permanent vacation and left me behind. Or it's fallen and I can't pick it back up. Or something like that.

I think I need to find my determination again before motivation has a chance to kick in. Determination and discipline and...well, I really like Nike's tagline--"Just Do It."

No excuses, just do it.

I need to just START doing it again.

Maybe a food journal would be a good place to start.

--Meri

[Michelle]

What keeps me motivated when I start working out again is the amount of energy I have how good that makes me feel. Not that I suffer from a lack of energy, but it becomes more evenly spread throughout the day and allows me to concentrate better in classes.

[jasper]

I honestly think there are many things keeping me motivated, for one my DH has type 2 diabetes and is starting to suffer from alot of the effects of this , so I don't want to be fat and forty!!! I think that is another thing , 40 for me is a milestone which I would like to be the best and fittest "me" possible so those are motivating to me. Also the ladies at Curves and my Aqua classes make working a fun and enjoyable outlet, WW online has been good in helping keep track of what I really eat.

[txgurl]

Several things keep me motivated to eat healthy and exercise. I feel better, sleep better,stay well, and keeps me in the smaller size in clothes.

I have read how it affects our health as we age and can keep us from possibly getting some of these diseases that plague us as we get older like diabetes and heart disease. It might even keep us out of the nursing homes.

There is an article in WebMD that discusses how walking keeps the brain young. I like the sound of that.

I believe there is more production of the growth hormone that keeps us young when we exercise, as this goes down as we age. There are just a whole lot of reasons to get ourselves off the couch and moving.

:walk: :situps:

[clogaholic]

I keep an old (fluffy ) picture of myself. That and the fact that I really don't want to have to diet for almost a year again. It's actually easier to maintain than diet :D

Dancing helps & I love it :bliss:

[Marian Paroo]

What keeps me motivated?

Well,I paid so much for my membership at the gym, and I am so stingy that I just can't let it go to waste.

And the race-walking makes me feel so good!

[Mysty]

I think I will have to try some of your motivational tips! I have been pathetic lately and since I quit smoking last Feb I have put on the pounds. I think I am still in shock because I have never every had to lose weight in my life! Turn 40 and quit smoking.. works every time :)

[colleendancer]

Motivation can be started and maintained with baby steps. I know I am having the same problems and starting small and keeping a positive outlook is a big plus.

Colleen

[crunchies0313]

Motivation to work out is not a problem. I love the way I feel afterwards, and seeing the "skinnies" in the gym make me work harder. The eating healty. I can do it for about 5 mins a day. ITS HARD!!! I try, but it is a daily struggle.

[sagespot]

I recently started a food journal that has really helped keep me motivated towards healthier eating habits.

Having to get up in the middle of the night to write down the oatmeal cookie has stopped me more than once from getting up in the first place! I was shocked at how after only three days I realized how horrid my eating styles were.

I'm happy to say that since I started the journal two months ago, I've lost 15 lbs.! :)

[countrygirl]

Hello! I try to keep up with how may calories I am taking in and how many I am burning. Like I have a cup of coffee 0 Calories and an orange for breakfast 60 Calories, I do my house work which burns about 5 calories a minute. I am homemaker so it takes me about 30 minutes to clean up and I burn about 150 Calories. I know it sounds strange, but it works for me. I try to keep up with it all day.

[danigirl]

That I guess would be a personal preference answer. I can't say that I eat well because I don't. I mean I am not a junk food junky but I need to have my sweets during the day. I stay motivated because after using my elliptical in the morning I feel energized and I seem to feel great ( mood wise ) after Iam done. I feel like I have accomplished something that is good for me. I know if I don't do my elliptical... I will be on the couch for the rest of the day!

[CocoinTX]

I think a lot is in your personality. When I say I'm going to do something , I usually stick to it. I have been slipping lately. Seems the more I tell myself I need to lose a few more pounds to get in that swimsuit, the more I want to eat! :eek: Also, I have to watch what I eat for cholesterol reasons now too. UGH! I actually feel and look better when I eat healthy. That's a plus.

[Gwenhwyfar]

The picture pre-weight loss is a huge incentive. I do not even have to look at it; the image is graven in my mind's eye.