I'm not saying I'm not motivated. I'm just wondering how fellow jsf members keep up the motivation, or get motivated. What drives you?
Please let me know. 66n40 is curious.
:jumping: :claphigh: :bb: :bow:

Purely internal. But I do sometimes take time specifically to think about my motivation.

For instance several weeks ago I wanted (or thought it would be nice) to loose a few lb of fat. However, having made this decision, I found myself eating in a way that was not conducive to the results I wanted. In other words I wanted to eat foods (and therefore did) that I would normally avoid while cutting.

So I thought about this and asked myself why I wanted to eat this way, why I felt like I wanted to eat chocolate etc.., obviously loosing the fat wasn’t important enough.

After actually taking a couple of relaxing hours to myself to think about whether I really did want to cut and why, I ‘found the motivation’ so to speak, and so far so good. It just took a bit more effort than ‘Oh, I’ll cut now’.

I use the same technique with bulking or anything else really – get to the point where I decide I really want something enough that I truly want to make it happen and do. If I can’t get there than I ask myself ‘why’ and usually I feel good about the decision – either I decide I do want it, or no, it’s not high enough priority and I’m fooling myself if I think I can ‘find’ motivation for something I think I ‘should’ do rather than something I really ‘want’ to do.

I have a few ways. When I was in high school, I was somewhat athletic but in very poor shape, and I was viewed by a lot of my peers as nothing but a nerd. So, I started trying to bulk up to build a tough-guy image and get some respect by being able to beat people physically as well as academically.

Then I joined the military and that meant regular fitness testing, plus the need to be in shape do be able to do my job. It can also be a pretty competitive atmosphere, especially when your roommate can run a 3:13 marathon and do 100 pushups on command.

Back in May, I read the "Alpo Diet" by Dan John and combined that with my drive to do REALLY well on my next military fitness test in September. That is what is pushing me right now.

Then, of course, there is Hotornot.com... :tu: http://hotornot.com/r/?eid=ALSSELA-KDB

On a side note, my friends and I often wonder what motivates older people because I know a lot of them, such as my father, used to be athletic but really let themselves go once they got into their career and family... that scares us.

Tim

I live and work in Orlando, Florida, favorite in-country tourist destination of the American middle class masses. Just driving to work near International Drive, I see enough obese moms, dads, and kids huffing and puffing in the Florida heat to keep me motivated to at least eat clean 80% of the time and exercise enough to maintain even if I'm not trying to cut or bulk.

I was also in the military for 4 years (enlisted Army) and can attest to the competitive athletic atmosphere that timwalsh300 mentioned. All that regular PT becomes addictive--or I should say the physical and psychological results of all that regular PT becomes addictive. You get hooked on that feeling of physical superiority over all those soft and squishy civilians, and you can't fathom ever looking or feeling like one of them again.

When the above isn't enough to keep me motivated (it generally is, though), I also like to pick up my most recent copy of Oxygen to see what real dedication to diet and training can do, look at my "before" photo from May 2004 (yuck!), and yank on my favorite pair of non-stretch AG jeans to check if I've been slacking off too much. After I got down to size 4/6 I set a rule that I would never go UP a size in clothes again, so the Pants-o-meter always works.

I also love to re-read this article from Testosterone Magazine, posted at Skwigg.com (http://skwigg.com/id13.html):

Merry Christmas, Bob

By Chris Shugart

Testosterone Magazine

"So, what are you doing for a living these days?" Bob asked me. We're sitting on the couch at one of those tedious holiday get-togethers, you know, the ones where you're supposed to be nice to family members you never see except during major holidays and funerals. I think Bob is my wife's brother-in-law's second cousin or something.

"I'm the assistant editor and a writer for Testosterone magazine," I say. Bob looks at me with a blank expression on his face, as if I'd just told him I sell handmade testicle warmers beside the freeway and was looking to open franchises across the nation.
"It's a bodybuilding magazine," I say.

Blank expression. Deer caught in the headlights. Ronnie Coleman doing trigonometry.

"Oh," Bob finally says, "I heard you were, like, one of those bodybuilder guys or something. So, what's that like, you know, working out every day and stuff? I just don't have time to lift weights all day, but I have been meaning to get rid of this beer belly." He takes another sip of beer. "What do you suggest?" Sip.

At first I was a little offended. I wanted to grab him up and say, "You can't tell I'm a bodybuilder?! Look at my ass! Now, if that's not a nice round squat-built piece of sirloin, I don't know what is! You think that comes naturally? I can crack walnuts with this puppy! Wanna see? Huh, punk? Do ya? Do ya?"

Then I realize this just might cause a scene and could cost me several Christmas presents. I was planning on returning any presents I got and using the money to buy a power rack, so I didn't want to jeopardize this gift getting opportunity. I also realized that old Bob probably had a certain preconceived image of a bodybuilder and I just didn't fit that image. I'm not gorilla huge; I weigh about 205 at 5'11" right now. (When I first started lifting I was a pudgy 159, so that's not too shabby.) Also, I wasn't wearing clown pants, a fluorescent string tank top, a hanky on my head and one of those little fanny packs. And isn't that what real bodybuilders are supposed to wear?

Bob continued to sit there drinking his Natural Light, smoking a cigarette and waiting for an answer, oblivious to the fact that he'd come this close to seeing some serious walnut- crunching ass power. I tried to figure out how I could explain to the average guy what the typical T-Man does and why he does it. How could I get him to understand what it is we do, how we feel, how we live? So I took a deep breath and told him something like this:

"Well, Bob, I guess you could use the term bodybuilder if you really need a label for what it is we do. Most of us actually don't stand on stage and compete, though. We lift weights and manipulate our diets so that we'll look good naked. Sure, it's healthy too, and we'll probably live a longer and more productive life than the average guy, but mostly it's about the naked thing. Truthfully, it goes beyond even that.

"Let's be honest here. We do it because of people like you, Bob. We look at you sitting there with your gut hanging over your belt and we watch you grunt and groan just getting out of a chair. Guys like you are our inspiration, Bob. You're better than Anthony Robbins, Bill Phillips, Deepak Chopra, and Zig fucking Ziglar all wrapped up into one. We love it when guys like you talk about not having time to exercise. Every time we see you munching on a bag of potato chips, you inspire us. You're my shot in the arm, Bob, my living and breathing wake-up call, my own personal success coach.

"You want to know what it is we do? We overcome. We're too busy to train, too, but we overcome. We're too busy to prepare healthy meals and eat them five or six times a day, but we overcome. We can't always afford supplements, our genetics aren't perfect, and we don't always feel like going to the gym. Some of us used to be just like you, Bob, but guess what? We've overcome.

"We like to watch 'normal' people like you tell us about how they can't get in shape. We smile and nod sympathetically like we feel your pain, but actually, we're thinking that you're a pathetic piece of shit that needs to grow a spine and join a gym. You smile sheepishly and say that you just can't stay motivated and just can't stand that feeling of being sore. (For some reason you think that admitting your weaknesses somehow justifies them.) We listen to you bitch and moan. We watch you look for the easy way out. Because of people like you, Bob, we never miss a workout.

"You ask us for advice about diet and training and usually we politely offer some guidance, but deep inside we know you won't take our advice. You know that too. We smile and say, 'Hope that helps. Good luck,' but actually we're thinking, 'Boy, it would suck to be you.' We know that 99% of people won't listen to us. Once they hear that it takes hard work, sacrifice and discipline, they stop listening and tune us out.

"We know they wanted us to say that building a great body is easy, but it just isn't. This did not take five minutes a day on a TorsoTrack. We did not get this way in 12 short weeks using a Bowflex and the Suzanne Somers' 'Get Skinny' diet. A good body does not cost five easy payments of $39.95.

"We like it that while you're eating a candy bar and drinking Mountain Dew, we're sucking down a protein shake. You see, that makes it taste even better to us. While you're asleep we're either getting up early or staying up late, hitting the iron, pushing ourselves, learning, succeeding and failing and rising above the norm with every rep. Can you feel that, Bob? Can you relate? No? Good. This wouldn't be half as fun if you could.

"We do it because we absolutely and totally get off on it. We do it because people like you, Bob, either can't or won't. We do it because what we do in the gym transfers over into the rest of our lives and changes us, physically, mentally, maybe even spiritually. We do it because it beats watching fishing and golf on TV. By the way, do you know what it's like to turn the head of a beautiful woman because of the way you're built? It feels good, Bob. Damned good.

"When we're in the gym, we're in this indescribable euphoria zone. It's a feeling of being on, of being completely alive and aware. If you haven't been there, then it's like trying to describe color to a person who's been blind since birth. Within this haze of pleasure and pain, there's knowledge and power, self-discipline and self-reliance. If you do it long enough, Bob, there's even enlightenment. Sometimes, the answers to questions you didn't even know you had are sitting there on those rubber mats, wrapped up in a neat package of iron plates and bars.

"Want to lose that beer belly, Bob? I have a nutty idea. Put down the fucking beer. I'll tell you what, Bob. Christmas morning I'm getting up real early and hitting the iron. I want to watch my daughter open her presents and spend the whole day with her, so this is the only time I have to train. The gym will be closed, so I'm going out in my garage to workout. You be at my house at six in the morning, okay? I'll be glad to help you get started on a weight training program. It'll be colder than Hillary Clinton's coochie in there, so dress warm.

"But let me tell you something, Bob. If you don't show up, don't bother asking me again. And don't you ever sit there and let me hear you bitch about your beer belly again. This is your chance, your big opportunity to break out of that rut. If you don't show up, Bob, you've learned a very important lesson about yourself, haven't you? You won't like that lesson.

"You won't like that feeling in the pit of your stomach either or that taste in your mouth. It will taste worse than defeat, Bob. Defeat tastes pretty goddamned nasty, but what you'll be experiencing will be much worse. It will be the knowledge that you're weak, mentally and physically. What's worse is that you'll have accepted that feeling. The feeling will always be with you. In the happiest moments of your life, it'll be there, lying under the surface like a malignant tumor. Ignore it at your own peril, Bob.

"Don't look at me like that either. This just may be the best Christmas present you'll get this year. Next Christmas, Bob, when I see you again, I'm going to be a little bigger, a little stronger, and a little leaner. What will you be? Will you still be making excuses? This is a gift, Bob, from me to you. I'm giving you the chance to look fate in those pretty eyes of hers and say, 'Step off, bitch. This is my party and you're not invited.' What do you say, Bob? Monday, Christmas morning, 6am, my house. The ball's in your court."

Okay, so maybe that's not the exact words I used with Bob, but you get the picture. Will Bob show up Monday? I don't know, but I kind of doubt it. In fact, Bob will probably take me off his Christmas card list. He probably thinks I've got "too much Testosterone," like that's a bad thing. I think Bob is just stuck in a rut, and as the saying goes, the only difference between a rut and a grave is depth.

The way out of the rut is to make major changes in your life, most of which won't be too pleasant in the beginning. The opportunity to make those changes seldom comes as bluntly as I put it to Bob. Most of the time, that opportunity knocks very softly. What I did was basically give Bob a verbal slap in the face. You can react two ways to a slap. You can get angry at the person doing the slapping, or you can realize that he was just trying to get you to wake up and focus on what you really want and, more importantly, what it'll take to get it.

If you're a regular T-mag reader, I doubt you need to be called out like Bob. But maybe you've caught yourself slacking a little here lately. Maybe you've missed a few workouts or maybe you started a little too early on the usual holiday feasting, like, say, back in September. Just remember that the time to start working on that summer body is now. The time to get rid of those bad habits that hold you back in the gym is now. You want to look totally different by next Christmas? Start now. This isn't because of the holidays or any corny New Year's resolutions either. The best time is always now.

Christmas day I want you to enjoy being with your family and friends. I want you to open presents, sip a little eggnog and have a good meal. But if your regularly scheduled workout happens to fall on December 25th, what will you be doing at six o'clock that morning?

That's what separates us from guys like Bob.

Let's be honest here. We do it because of people like you, Bob. We look at you sitting there with your gut hanging over your belt and we watch you grunt and groan just getting out of a chair. Guys like you are our inspiration, Bob.

To get inspired to do better than the worst? Somehow like Dale Earnhardt being inspired to race so he could feel superior to people who fail driver's ed courses?

Find inspiration by looking up to people who achieve rather than down on those who do not.

For me personally, it's my career and business, and was my actual lifestyle before any of that. So, all those things together is what drives me, and there is no turning that switch off. :)

~SC~

Find inspiration by looking up to people who achieve rather than down on those who do not.

Nobly put, but I do a bit of both, and I don't mind admitting it, although I'd say that while seeing what I don't want to become is enough motivation to make me stick to a baseline for fitness and weight maintenance, seeing an example of what I would like to achieve is inspiration to really focus and go that extra mile in training and diet.

My real motivation is and has always been competition with and the desire to maximize the potential in MYSELF, regardless of any outside influences.

To get inspired to do better than the worst? Somehow like Dale Earnhardt being inspired to race so he could feel superior to people who fail driver's ed courses?

Find inspiration by looking up to people who achieve rather than down on those who do not.

Yeah, I'm the same way. I don't really get any extra motivation by outdoing somebody who doesn't exercise...but in all honesty, I don't get "inspired" very often by people who are doing better than I am either. Sometimes I do, but not that often. Most of my motivation stems from competition with myself. I tend to be more performance oriented (and less aesthetically oriented), so I get upset with myself if I start having decrements in the gym. I work hard and remain consistent to avoid losing the gains I've made. So, any time I do start regressing, I work extra hard to get back to where I was...and to progress beyond that point. That keeps me from missing workouts and from slacking too badly on my diet.

Nobly put, but I do a bit of both, and I don't mind admitting it, although I'd say that while seeing what I don't want to become is enough motivation to make me stick to a baseline for fitness and weight maintenance, seeing an example of what I would like to achieve is inspiration to really focus and go that extra mile in training and diet.

Yep, fear can be a great motivator. I look around and see how bad it can get, and I don't want that happening to me - and it keeps me on track. A few months back I heard that a guy I knew at college got a heart attack and died - he was just 30 then, a year younger to me - that news gave me the shivers. I will do whatever is in my control to preserve myself :D

Cheers :tu:

I stay motivated for practical reasons: I'm about to turn 20 years old, I'm fat, I never had a social life or went out clubbing, picking up girls, etc. I realize that I only have about 5-6 more good years ahead of me of real "youth", one-night-stands, and footloose living before I officially have to be an adult, a spouse, a parent, a provider, etc. It's kind of hard to pick up women with a jelly-like spare tire, double chin and man tits.

I also get motivation to stay focused by seeing what is possible, physically, if I stay the course, put the time in, and remain disciplined. I love watching truly great athletes. I love looking at their bodies. (edit: I say that in a completely heterosexual way!) I've been watching the Tour D' France highlights on OLN, and have been getting crazy motivation from that. Seeing how amazing these guys look, and how physically trained they are, makes me say "hey, I could have a body like that if only I worked hard enough".

I disagree with many people that seeing positive results in the mirror is a source of motivation. If anything, when I look in the mirror, I get depressed, discouraged, and down by my spare tire, stretch marks, and "chewed-up bubble gum" loose skin. I try to stay away from the mirror at all costs...shirtless at least. Hopefully the stretch marks will fade, and the loose skin will improve as I get my BF% down. At least I stay motivated by telling myself that...

Honestly though, the BEST form of motivation for me is when old acquaintances that I haven't seen for a couple of years see me after losing 125lbs., and they don't even recognize me. Especially if those old acquaintances are young, female, and pretty. It's one thing for your family or close friends to give you compliments because they're "supposed to", but when casual acquaintances do, it's something real special. This HOT! girl used to sit next to me in 2 of my classes senior year of high school, and we got pretty chummy - used to eat lunch together, cheat off each other's exams, etc. The last time she saw me I was about 290 at graduation two years ago. Saw her a week ago at a mutual friend's house, and she didn't even recognize me until I spoke up after about 20 minutes. She was flabbergasted. Couldn't believe it. It's one of the few moments like those that provide amazing motivation! She went on and on about it all night...

I finally made it a 'must'. Right up there with breathing. Soon it became more in-grained I guess..more internal. Waking up to do cardio now is more like brushing teeth. No longer do I allow going out or having lunches sidetrack me.

One more note - I am learning to enjoy the daily process. I enjoy going after yesterday's record. I enjoy hitting milestones. I enjoy food so much more now. Ask me a year ago and I would have elected to fast forward the process and be where I wanted to be at. Of course I failed and got off the track. Now I am savoring the moments. I think this alone makes a big difference.

This HOT! girl used to sit next to me in 2 of my classes senior year of high school, and we ... used to ... cheat off each other's exams...

:nono:

;)

Congrats on your terrific weight loss... and it seems that you have found what you need to do and not do, to keep yourself regular.

:tucool:

On a side note, my friends and I often wonder what motivates older people because I know a lot of them, such as my father, used to be athletic but really let themselves go once they got into their career and family... that scares us.


Speaking as one of those elders... though physicality was always. to varying degrees, was always part of my life... I think the problem is two-fold: 1. they didn't "let themselves go" -- that really is a meaningless statement though I know it is used all the time... it reflects what the observer sees not what is going on inside the individual who is "expanding", gaining weight, going soft. I think what happens is that the struggles of career and family are truly demanding during our late 20's, 30's and early 40's. And the natural physical movement we used to do stops because we discipline ourselves "to sit there" to get work done. And then as we see what is happening, we also experience ourselves as being more and more tired, having less energy.. and we resign ourselves to the fact that "it is just part of growing old" and the effort to exercise seems futile and most of what is suggested to do is pretty ineffective at reversing the effects of a sedentary life style. (Aerobics classes, low-fat diets that are doomed to fail, etc.)

2. Not enough understanding of why we get tired as we get older. It is not just getting older -- which is a factor -- but it is also that we lose lean body mass -- less muscle means it takes far more effort to do things than it did when we were younger -- and also had more LBM because we were physically more active.

Not understanding that lifting or some serious form of muscle building exercise is critical to maintaining strength and energy. As many people here on JSF know... the lack of understanding of this is probably one of the most serious physical fitness problems we have in the US.

3. Not understanding that losing LBM means one doesn't burn as many calories for a given amount of consumption and eating what we did before will now cause weight gain...

4. With time pressures of career and family, fast food becomes a convenient and readily accessible way to cope ... and we all know how destructive fast food is.... Not enough info, role models, guidelines, on how to have quick meals that are nutritious and healthy and not time consuming. No broad-based advocacy of preparing meals in advance for the week ... which is far more efficient than preparing food nightly.

5. Pressures cause a lot of people to turn to food for comfort. They have so little emotional, psychic and physical energy to find any other way to comfort themselves during periods of stress.

6. Not drinking enough water...

This is what I think happens... I know a lot of it happened to me.

It is too bad that there is not more broad based government supported education on proper eating what proper exercise really is, advice on food purchase and preparation, etc. It was too bad that Arnold Schwarzenegger was the President's Physical Fitness Counselor, did not do more for this. He had this info better than most... and the level of adoration necessary to lead...but for some reason...he was totally unable to accomplish much.

Thank goodness that there is stuff like Bill Phillips" Body for Life though it is unfortunate it is now caught up in selling so much product. But those contests have gotten a lot of people started to learn differently about things.

We need another Jane Fonda... she was so important in motivating women to exercise even if they were in their 40's.... We need someone to lead the nation back to healthier eating, learning about LBM and how to prepare foods in a nutritious and efficient manner...

But I assure you all, what you see your parents having done, you will not do. They got to where they were out of ignorance... you all know so much more.

Try new things. Even at the worst of times, I've no problem keeping my weight well below what my peers' is at or exercising at least a little, but these days I like to switch things up, so currently I want to place well in running and triathlon competitions. Going to the gym to simply stay thin and put on a couple of lbs of muscle got boring for me if there was nothing ontop of it.

:) Having read the responses up to this point I find myself agreeing with causticmuse in her assertion (as I perceived it) that choosing to be above the multitude, so to speak..is a great motivator….and it is for me in the ‘now’; However, Justitia very adroitly addressed how and why falling out of shape occurs (occurred) in those of us of more advanced years (The young gentlemen who puzzled over why/what motivates older people must have found her post most interesting.) Having come to the fitness table ‘tardy’ (in my late fifties) I can tell you unequivocally that it was because I realized one day that I had an old ladies body (aesthetics) and I wasn’t yet ready to be an old lady. (I chose to be above the multitude.). I knew I either had to get a grip and find a way back to my former physical self (and in a great big hurry) or I would run out of time and health. I didn’t have the luxury of youth that most of the people on this forum are blessed with and perhaps for that reason it was easier for me to focus then and remain focused now….. I know I have very limited time and absolutely no guarantees. Wonder of wonders though I have found that the side bar to being fit and looking good, (well, as good as one can) is my physical self sufficiency together with my health is vastly improved in the bargain! ……………Now, my lifetime experience tells me that THIS is probably as good a deal as I'll find!! Random thoughts! :nod:

Just being in shape and reaping all the benefits that come along w/ it.

I posted the reply below nearly two years ago for someone who was struggling. I myself have consistently suffered peak/valley syndrome when it comes to maintaining my motivation and performance. I've just trudged through the valley once again, and am about to begin another ascent. I have tremendous respect for those who make an incredible change and then transition the experience into their lifestyle - John and so many others here are a perfect example. It becomes who you are, not something you do.

*********************************************
From August 2004:

Here's my .02 - and I'm simply putting this out there based upon my own experiences. Not everyone may agree, but this attitude has made the difference for me.

Don't make it ALL or NOTHING. If you eat pizza, you haven't failed - if you have a slice of cake at a party, you haven't failed. If you have a beer, you haven't failed. If you miss a few workouts because of other circumstances, you have not failed.

Start thinking about your nutrition and exercise in terms of a life long pursuit, not a 12 week class that you pass or fail. There is no fail. There is simply the continual process of improving your nutrition and health, or letting it back slide. At this point, you have the option of moving forward in the direction of improving your body and self-image, or throwing your hands in the air and go on a Taco Bell binge.

My consistent problem was that if I wasn't doing it right - which at one point meant weighing and measuring every item of food I was consuming, and going to the gym 6 days a week - than there was no point in doing it all. I beat myself up over the fact that I was undisciplined, when the truth was that I was simply being unrealistic. Eat lousy one day, pick back up on the eating plan the next. Miss a workout? One day extra for muscle to grow. Just go back to the gym for your next workout.

My wife sums it up much more succinctly. She said to me:

"You see it as black and white. You're either doing it, or not doing it.
You need to see the gray."

So, see the gray. You don't need to quit. You just need to keep making adjustments. There is no prize for going from 30% bf to 12% bf in six months. The timeframe doesn't matter. The conscious decision to continue behaving in a way that will get you there eventually is much more important.

The other tidbit my wife instilled in me: ( I knew I married her for very good reasons)

"Something is always better than nothing."

If you can only workout for 20 minutes instead of your usual hour - do it. If you have 3 cheese lasagna at the business luncheon, than have that chicken breast, broccoli and sweet potato for dinner.
Focus on the positive benefits of the overall journey, not the negative blips that are bound to pop up along the way.

The fact that you are a member of the forum means you have already made some decisions about your body, your health, and your future - and they are all good decisions.

Best of luck

Don M.

:)I find your thoughts to be extraordinarlly balanced and healthy. Sounds like you have a really 'cool' wife too! Lucky you! ;)

Here's a funny one: When I'm thinking about eating something unhealthy or skipping a workout, I pinch my belly fat. Most of the time it reminds me that I still need to keep working.

I'm totally in agreement with dmul- you have to consider it a life change, not just something you "do". If you think about it as the latter, you can decide that you're "done" and go back to eating crap and sitting around. The benefits are not only in how you look, but the quality of your life for the rest of your life. :tucool:

-L

I'm not saying I'm not motivated. I'm just wondering how fellow jsf members keep up the motivation, or get motivated. What drives you?
Please let me know. 66n40 is curious.
:jumping: :claphigh: :bb: :bow:
Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman :lol:

My motivation comes from my girlfriend, not in the sense that she is pushing me, but the fact everytime a lean ripped guy appears in a movie or on TV she loves it. Also she has pet names for me (jellybelly?) and even though they are said with no spite it hurts and I want to get rid of that and be called superman or something, sounds stupid but it's what keeps me going, even though it hasn't been that long yet Im determined and I know I will achieve my goals.

:lol:

My motivation comes from my girlfriend, not in the sense that she is pushing me, but the fact everytime a lean ripped guy appears in a movie or on TV she loves it. Also she has pet names for me (jellybelly?) and even though they are said with no spite it hurts and I want to get rid of that and be called superman or something, sounds stupid but it's what keeps me going, even though it hasn't been that long yet Im determined and I know I will achieve my goals.

Bravo :claphigh:

Here's a funny one: When I'm thinking about eating something unhealthy or skipping a workout, I pinch my belly fat. Most of the time it reminds me that I still need to keep working.


This works for me too :tucool: