BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Public Health What helps keep you motivated to workout?

My current motivation is two fold: I have a reunion to attend in the spring and I am getting married in the summer. Plenty of reason for me to get up a little earlier every morning.

Wow Jamie,

Those are probably the two best motivation to get up every morning and hit the gym.

Mine is to award myself a professional photo shoot session when "the time is right". I have avoided taking many pictures in the last few years, and was shocked to see myself in a test video footage this summer... ouch! p.s. never volunteer... I mean for videos or photos.

I see my dad, who is in his 80's, so crippled with arthritis that he can't even walk anymore. I don't want to end up so stiff and in such bad shape that when I'm old, I can't be energetic and healthy.

I've been a walker all my life and once exercise is part of your daily life, it's just something you get out and do. You don't really think in terms of motivation any more. I did get me a little CD player tho and listen to books on CD as I walk, plus I walk my 2 dogs who would never let me skip a day.

Back in January, I joined the Y and am taking water aerobics and some other great classes. The fact that I'm paying for membership is one thing that keeps me going there! But I do enjoy the classes and they are giving me a new level of fitness and good feelings about my body that I wouldn't want to give up if I quit going.

If you keep at it, exercise just becomes part of your life.

Wow! Both of you have fantastic reasons to keep you going. Paying for a membership somewhere is a fantastic push yourself to actually go. Finding a partner to go with you is also a great way (as long as they won't talk you into skipping workouts).

A picture of myself on a beach in the PNW from years ago when I was a size 8 is what motovates me to at least try to workout. Every time I see a recent picture of myself, I feel very out of shape. When I am down to the size I desire, then I will reward myself with a whole new set of photos.

I walk everyday (several times a day which is probably at least 3 miles daily) and although I have a hard time following an organized or strict diet, I simply eat less of everything and have cut out all sweets and sodas.

With winter coming on, I will be going over to the gym in our complex to use the equipment there to workout.

Also, having the right type of workout clothes helps a lot to motivate me. Every time I have to buy new workout clothes in a smaller size, I feel great!

I am a size 4, but I used to be a size 14 years ago, which there is nothing wrong with being a size 14, but I was unhealthy at that size because I didn't exercise and thus was out of shape and eating junk food. I worked long hours and never had time to exercise. I totally revamped my lifestyle, took up running at one point, and eventually settled down to a daily cardio and weight training routine that I can live with. More importantly I got a hold of a problem I had with secret binge eating. I have a healthy relationship with healthy food now and so in answering the original question, fear of returning to an "out of control lifestyle" and "gaining weight" motivates me to workout.

A friend of mine that was borrowing her sisters wedding gown to be married in had a goal - to fit into it. She kept at the workouts and looked sensational in that dress!!

I have diabetes type 2 and know I need to work out. I don't seem to have the motivation to do it....(and, no - I guess my type 2 doesn't seem to be motivation enough).

Although I know I need to do it, and want to, I just can't find the motivation..........ideas appreciated....

I have heard that looking at ones self in the mirror naked can be helpful. Especially if you remember to look at the backside. I don't know how effective that is.

I also have heard people say that they are more compelled to work out if they have a buddy to work out with.