What motivates you?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2005
What motivates you?
22
Tue, 03-29-2005 - 7:05pm

I thought it would be fun to share what motivates people to stay on track when your cravings or your laziness clearly want to derail you?

~Overall what motivates me is to have more energy for my kids. I have really been lacking energy since gaining the extra 30 pounds.

~A guilty motivation (and probably not a very positive one) is a neighbor of mine that teases me about putting on weight with my last child. She is stick thin with three kids of her own and for some reason she likes to talk about other women who have had a hard time taking off weight after kids. Maybe she is just really proud of herself..hmm? Her "teasing" really got to me last year and I would love nothing more than to show her I can get back down to a healthy size.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2004
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 8:42am

I was looking at the comments between you and Kim about motivational pictures or lists. My bathroom is sort of a soccer/sports themed room, black and white stuff with a big round soccer ball rug in the middle, I have two nice motivational prints ont he walls. One is of a female runner on a lonely road, lighting makes it look kinda early on a warm morning, in the blocks getting ready to start. That one is "Confidence" with a quotation about winning. The other is of a young gymnasts on balance beam. That one is "Determination." The quotation on it is the one in my profile, "All things are difficult before they are easy." Because I kind of have the mindset of an athlete, I like those things. And that runner has great arms, interestingly enough.

lorie6-26-09.png Lorie 6-26-09 picture by runningwomen

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 10:17am

I know that there a few things that motivate me:


Feeling like I'm athletic again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2005
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 10:29am

This is a good question...made me think a bit on why I even bother...thus...

1) If I don't exercise I gain weight in a flash...I am too old to pretend I'm naturally anything...I have to exercise and I have to dye my hair...there is just no getting past those two facts of life X:)

2) Most of my friends are active and I like being apart of that...one is doing the boston marathon...two have and continue to do triathons...listening to their training stories keeps me motivated and gives me ideas...

and most importantly...

3) I have no real reason not be active...lets face it I'm single and have no kids...I don't have an excuse to be unhealthy...

And to that mean neighbor who makes comments about ANYONE elses weight, I have a suggestion. Its petty and you might be too nice to do something like this. I'm not too nice and do it when the opportunity shows itself. Say things like 'my shapeless friend has been having the hardest time finding clothes...where do you shop?'...OR...'it must be hard to find clothes to make you look sexy with your shape...I have another friend like you...would you like me to ask her for suggestions on where to shop?.

Yes, they are petty comments but no one should ever make someone else feel bad and if they do...they are fair game!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 10:29am
You know a big one (and often forgotten about) is a stress reliever....thanks for the reminder of that *motivator* Lorie!
~IslandGirl


*** Moderation Is Key ***

Getting Fit In Your 30's
cl-vi_islandgirl


_____________________________________________________

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 10:56am
Good question. I see myself getting bigger and bigger as time moves on and I just want to stop while I can still fix things. I am to young to let myself go. Besides going to work out is my time and I love to see how my body changes. I can see muscles on my arms (very little but they are there) and my abs are really starting to show. Plus those huge hips I had pretty much most of my life (since I can remember) .
We have a boat and we will be on the lake a lot this summer and I don't want to hide in long pants. Plus I want to be a good role model for my daughter who is getting bigger and has made it her new hobby to eat. I am hoping she will catch on one day . Plus I just feel better all the way around and I sleep so much better after a good work out.
And yes, I am also going to go shopping in the mall this year for summer clothes (hopefully) . I want those cute clothes and not the frumpy stuff I used to hide in.
Martina
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2005
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 1:35pm

LOL That is golden!! I am going to remember that. I am also not the quick type so I like the suggestions about complimenting the other ladies curves and your comeback is priceless. I will be prepared this year for this gal no matter what, I am not letting her get away with it again.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2005
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 1:39pm
I have seen those prints, they are very nice! I also like the Nike ads even though they are a bit corny at times. I like when they show women running through a high desert and other interesting places. Their quotes are sometimes amusing. I keep my magazines around for that reason, to go back and look through them for inspiration.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2005
Wed, 03-30-2005 - 1:45pm
I will consider that if I can get the nerve up. I am the type that even when someone is rude to me I have a hard time being rude back even though I shouldn't. It's very true that this woman is rail thin but she doesn't work out and she has zero muscle or curves anywhere. She is so thin that if she did have any sort of muscle it would be very easy to see. I agree when you open a dicey subject you better be prepared for the backlash. I think she has me pegged for the type she can get away with this with. I will let everyone know the first time I run into her and get to use the suggestions :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2005
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 8:39am

What a great post!


Let's see, what motivates me?


A lot of things really...


* I want to be the person I was 5 years ago: healthy, fit, and happy-carrying extra weight on me has a way of depressing me and making me sad


* I want my 30's to be better than my 20's


* I want SO to think "Damn, I am a lucky man!"


* I want to have the strength and fitness level to compete in mountain bike/road bike races


* I want to wear sexy clothes again


* I want to go to Chicago for my regional meetings (which w only go to 2 times per year) and have my co-workers come up to me and say-"You look great!"


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Fri, 04-01-2005 - 9:35am

Knowing that I'm going to have pictures taken or that I've got an important occassion coming up. What other's think about my appearance is probably boarderline on unhealthy, but it's true. I always want to look my best when I know I have to be somewhere in particular.

Ginger