What motivates you to exercise?

Hi,
I am so glad I found this thread.
I have not worked out in a long time (and even then it was very little) and decided that from today onwards in the morning I would start. I thought enough is enough is enough. I worked out before but I am very bad with consistency. I know the exercises and nutrition but I have problems staying motivated. For me, mornings are the best although it is hard to drag your butt out of bed especially in the winter time when your bed is nice and warm. However, I feel good when I get that done and it gives me energy to do other things and makes you feel like you are ready to take on challenges throughout the day.
So I thought I would start a thread on what motivates people to stick to their exercise regiment and tricks you use to coax yourself.
I am so glad I found this thread.

So I thought I would start a thread on what motivates people to stick to their exercise regiment and tricks you use to coax yourself.
0
Comments
1) The changes I see in my body. I've lost about 75 pounds since high school, and I am finally feeling at home in my own skin. It's an awesome feeling!
2) I feel better when I get my activity done. I have made a habit out of going in the mornings, before classes and work get started, and it really helps me mentally to face the rest of the day when I know I have already been victorious by getting a workout in.
3) I can eat more when I work out! :oops:
I get the consistency thing. That's ALWAYS a struggle for me. I've been going strong on my plan for several months now, and it has come down to just getting out of bed and doing it. Every morning when my alarm goes off, I don't even think about it--I just get dressed, get my keys, and go. That way, by the time I fully wake up and start thinking about how I want to still be asleep I'm already at the gym!
Willpower will only last you so long. For me, it came down to changing my thinking and making this a decision, a contract with myself. I am worth the work it takes to be healthy. And yeah, looking good sure helps
2) I have a fear of getting fat. THat right there is tons of motvation.
-that high I get after I'm done at the gym
-I have a fear of looking like a roly poly (i'm only 5'0 with a small frame)
-Other people who workout and like talking about it on the internet like
here and on oxygenmag.com, shape.com, maybe a few others
-the music on my IPOD
-spin class (its hard but at the end, I feel like I've conquered the world)
-buying workout clothes/shoes and actually wearing it to the gym
-a bikini I just bought (it fits and all but there's always room for
improvement right?)
-and its silly but I have a workout dvd (Great Body Guaranteed by Beach
Body,and their motto is "You're closer than you think" they say it a
million times thru out the dvd
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I can eat more.
My muscles ache if don't get a good workout.
Of course--Miss Janet Jackson---She looks good for 40.
If they ask how you found out about the site, type SlainSoul. You will love it.
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4a, mbl, low porosity, normal thickness, fine hair.
1. The changes in my body. Even if I don't lose fat, my body will get firmer and more shapely when I regularly exercise.
2. My clothes look better. I love the fact that I can pick something out of my closet and not worry about whether or not it will fit me, because I know it will.
3. Stress relief. If I don't work out, my stress level rises and I feel WAY on edge, which I hate. Working out mellows me out.
4. My mood. I'm prone to bouts of, well, depression, I suppose. I hesitate to call it that because I think it takes away from those who suffer from clinical depression. However, sometimes, I feel really down and I have no motivation for anything. When I get like this, I know that if I can get myself to work out, that will be one thing I accomplished that day, and I feel better.
5. The compliments! When you work out, people take notice. My bf's family always compliments me on how I look. It feels good to put on jeans and a tank top and still have people go "Wow! You look great!". I also love that my bf notices that changes in my body also and tells me that I look good. When I see him for the first time that day, I know that he is checking me out and liking what he sees, which makes me feel great.
3B that is no longer CG, but still endeavors to have healthy hair by not using sulfates.
1 - I love the feeling of a strong, healthy body
2 - I hate dieting and want to be able to eat what I want and stay at my goal weight
3 - Vanity and looking sexaaaay in my clothes (and without them hehe).
4 - It controls my anxiety problems without medication.
5 - I love the sense of accomplishment I get from taking the time out of the day to do something just for me. I might not feel like getting to the studio, but I always feel awesome afterwards.
- If I don't go I lose weight very quickly (not a good look on me).
- I look around me at the people in the town where I live and don't want to end up like any of them now or in the future.
I was a personal trainer before starting my business, so I used to work out a lot. The past few years I'd really slacked off though, since my life is so busy now. But having the parents have heart attacks so close together like that has really motivated me this time.
BTW - your login name is interesting. Is there a story behind it?
ETA: I didn't see your sig line, but I'm still interested in why you choose that name if you don't mind sharing.
2. it makes you look fit & feel better about yourself
3. it's healthy
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1) During a transitional period in my life, living in an apartment that I could not stand, with a really ill-designed, poorly kept, not-very-clean bathroom. I couldn't wait to go to the yoga studio and use their nice clean shower!
2) Taking an assignment for work that required that I bike about 15 miles to get to and from the office. [This is my current situation.]
I realize these are unusual circumstances, but they truly have worked the best for me as far as getting me to do the work.
Typically, I just try to keep it extremely accessible and build it into my schedule as much as possible. The other thing that has helped is finding a form of exercise that is fulfilling emotionally and spiritually, not just physically. So this would include: anything outdoors and yoga.