I hate shopping for new clothes, so my motivation is not having to go shopping when my clothes don't fit right. Also the fact that I feel so much better and have less stress in my life when I work out.

I also feel motivated when my clothes start getting tighter. The last thing I want to do is get fatter! Lately, with the kids out of school it has been tempting to eat more sandwiches. I found that bread goes right to my waist! I noticed that I was gaining weight so I have tried to stay away from the bread and exercise more.

I don't really need motivation to train because it has been part of my lifestyle for years now, it's just what I do. I think you will have problems in the long term if you have problems with motivation. I don't think your training will be sustainable if you are struggling to motivate yourself, you should enjoy it!

I think you have to make yourself ready. You have to make workouts a part of your regular routine, not a means to an end. You have to treat it like a job that you want to keep. You don't call in. You don't miss.

nene5 wrote:I think you have to make yourself ready. You have to make workouts a part of your regular routine, not a means to an end. You have to treat it like a job that you want to keep. You don't call in. You don't miss.

Exactly, it needs to be part of your routine. Most people do not have a problem with motivation when the training is an established part of their routine. Of course, we all have the odd day where we don't really feel like it, but as soon as you warm up you will be ready to go.

shaun wrote:I don't really need motivation to train because it has been part of my lifestyle for years now, it's just what I do. I think you will have problems in the long term if you have problems with motivation. I don't think your training will be sustainable if you are struggling to motivate yourself, you should enjoy it!

I agree that when something becomes as routine as breathing you no longer think about why you need to do it, but you just DO IT. I wish that it were easy for me to get to that point but I am working towards that goal....because I know that as I get thinner the working out will get easier and will be more enjoyable but sometimes I get tired just thinking about the exercise so I know it is a bit of a mind over matter struggle to stay focused on WHY I need to workout until I reach the Automatically doing it stage!

What motivates me if just living a healthy lifestyle and trying to attain a physique like those that I look up to.

lrlady66 wrote:

shaun wrote:I don't really need motivation to train because it has been part of my lifestyle for years now, it's just what I do. I think you will have problems in the long term if you have problems with motivation. I don't think your training will be sustainable if you are struggling to motivate yourself, you should enjoy it!

I agree that when something becomes as routine as breathing you no longer think about why you need to do it, but you just DO IT. I wish that it were easy for me to get to that point but I am working towards that goal....because I know that as I get thinner the working out will get easier and will be more enjoyable but sometimes I get tired just thinking about the exercise so I know it is a bit of a mind over matter struggle to stay focused on WHY I need to workout until I reach the Automatically doing it stage!

Exactly. You don't think should I go to work today? It's just something you do, part of life.

You should find exercise you enjoy doing, but don't forget that exercise is not a good means of weight control when compared with diet. Quality over quantity when it comes to exercise.

I come back to read this thread when I am feeling like putting off my workouts. I am getting better of not talking myself out of my workouts. I know that this weight I want to lose won't go away without working out. Each workout puts me closer to the body I want.

I keep my goal in mind, an image of myself how I look after I have achieved my goals. And the compliments I will get. A few months after I started out, some of my friends made comments and I must say it felt so good and it gave me even more energy to keep going. I now enjoy working out, and it's less for other people but more for myself, how I feel after exercising and the feeling of getting stronger.