What motivates you to work out?

[Deleted]

For me, first is looks, second health and third setting a good example for my child. For my husband it is clearly his love of food.
What about you?

[tractor]

I started because I didn't want to resign myself to the same body image that my grandfather, dad, and brothers have. Overall we aren't big people, but it seems we end up with quite a nice round belly as we age. I was starting to creep up there and decided I had to do something. Now I work out three days a week, have a flat stomach (and hope to keep it that way).

I also love food, and now that I work out on a regular basis, I can eat what I want and keep the fat off. The funny thing is, the more I work out, the less I crave sweets and alcohol, but the more I crave sex, I guess that's a fair trade off.

[Deleted]

Tractor, karma to you for your flat stomach. Sex drive absolutely increases with regular exercise.
Snerdley, do you think you could dance while wearing a steak minidress?

[Deleted]

I just feel so much better afterwards. And, at 58, I still have a lot of flexibility and energy. At this point I'm almost afraid to NOT exercise! It's been an almost-daily habit for over 40 years.

[Deleted]

my mirror

[Artemis Windsong]

Right now, to keep everything somewhat toned. To give me somewhere to go everyday and fill time. To keep the family history at bay. The workouts I do today will create a better tomorrow.

I used to exercise like a fiend when I had job frustrations. That was the one way I could clear the jerks out of my mind. Knowing they will reap what they sow and more than they sow, is of little comfort.

The extroverts have an answer right now and the introverts answer in the morning.

[ZaireinHD]

my energy pills! and I DO feel better during and after exercising!
BUT I CAN'T stay consistent!!!

[Frappuccino]

I recently started working out again. I seem to be hungry/starving all day long after exercising. I am obsessed with food when I work out regularly and I gain weight. What do you folks do about this, if you experience an increase in hunger also? Thanks

[pig]

Mirror definitely. And competition whether against others or myself. And others telling me "jacked" I look tee hee.

[ihearyou2]

For me its the endorphins, I'm totally addicted to the feeling after a good work-out. I can't get enough of it. If it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't exercise as much as I do, if at all.

[Jake 48]

All the cute girls at the gym

[Deleted]

And competition whether against others or myself

Okay Pig, I challenge you to workout work off. Just trying to help.

LOL Jake. That is why I don't go to the gym. No, I don't want to be hit on while I work out thank you very much.

[pig]

"Okay Pig, I challenge you to workout work off"

No I mean powerlifting and bodybuilding. Or if you are just trying to compete against yourself by getting personal records in whatever lift you're doing. I find it very motivating.

[Deleted]

I got it the first time. I guess my humor is not translating well today? Besides, how you know that I don't powerlift?

[pig]

Possible, my sense of humor is odd I'm told. I never said I didn't think you powerlifted but with an avatar like that I would have my doubts

[Deleted]

I admit that I don't powerlift and that's not really my picture in my avatar. However, I do have an outfit exactly like that one that I wear to the grocery store every once in a while.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I recently started working out again. I seem to be hungry/starving all day long after exercising. I am obsessed with food when I work out regularly and I gain weight. What do you folks do about this, if you experience an increase in hunger also? Thanks

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=healthyliving&action=display&thread=4299#ixzz1GFDn0nOk

I have the same problem. It seems to get worse the more I workout with weights.

Try eating a little something every 2 hours, (make sure to watch the portions). Stick with high protein for snacks (a few walnuts or almonds, low fat cheese) or high fiber (fruits, whole grains). Drink LOTS of water. Sometimes if my stomach starts growling between dinner & bedtime, a small glass of skim milk will take care of my hunger.

make sure you start the day with some whole grains & protein. Steel cut oats are really good; Kashi has some hot cereals that have 50-100% of your RDA of whole grains in ONE serving!

as far as the OP - I feel better when I workout. I also enjoy food, so I NEED to workout! And even though I'm not as thin as many of the women I see, I jiggle MUCH less than most of them.

[Deleted]

Vanity number 1
Health would be 2

[azphx1972]

Health

[Deleted]

Yes, sometimes life is tough.

[Deleted]

A couple more things- first, I had some business clothes made by a tailor. I love them. He cautioned me tactfully about yo-yo weight gain and loss. He used generous seam allowances and said that if I gained weight I should let him know and he could let the seams out so I didn't strain the seams- but that you can't let them out/take them in multiple times. Even if that's not in your budget, a favorite, expensive item of clothing that wouldn't fit if you gained 10 lbs. can help!

Also- I got roped into a sprint triathlon in May. It's for a good cause- people in my church will be pledging to support a mission in Haiti (school and birthing center), and one of our parishioners goes there personally several times a year so I know the money is used where it's needed. It's me, our priest and another parishioner. They're both 30-ish guys. I am not! I've done the 1/3- mile lake swim, 9 mile bike, 2.4-mile walk/run each of the last 2 years in a local corporate competition. This is 1/2 mile swim, 12 miles bike, 5K walk/run and it's in late May so I'll need a wet suit in the water.

This kicks it up another notch. I've had no problem with the 2 tris I've done previously, so this one (probably) won't kill me, either- but I've lengthened my workout times and I swear I've got a little more adrenaline during my workout. Our priest, who used to play football but became pretty rotund as pastoral and family duties caught up with him, has dropped a lot of weight and entered his first 5K last year- so maybe entering competitions is the answer for motivation.

[Deleted]

That is awesome athena53! Good luck!

[bean29]

I work out for a variety of reasons.

1) To get in better shape/keep my weight in a healthy range.
2) Health reasons - I am less tired, posture is better, less back problems. My joints were bothering me before I started exercising - no longer an issue.
3) I can eat more
4) My workout is somewhat challenging. If I miss more than one or two workouts a week, I am sunk...so I get my but to the gym fairly regularly.
5) I like the way I feel after I have worked out - probably endorphins but I don't know.

[Formerly SK]

1) Health and anti-aging (I'm 38)
2) Seeing improvement in my strength and abilities (with lifting)
3) Energy - I actually like feeling the mild soreness of my muscles after working out
4) Looks
5) Role-modeling good health and active lifestyle for my children

My ds (6yo) has autism and really low muscle tone and poor physical ability. In the back of my mind I'm thinking we'll eventually create a home gym of some sort and I'll use my knowledge to help him to get some strength. But first I need to work on my knowledge.

[whispering17]

Not much!

[flopsy]

my sister was a great motivator but now we live on opposite coasts so eeeeeh. i don't look different other than gaining a tiny bit of tone when i consistently work out but it does make me feel better about myself.

[ZaireinHD]

Mar 9, 2011 12:04:36 GMT -5 @pig said:

Mirror definitely. And competition whether against others or myself. And others telling me "jacked" I look tee hee.

This will be my next step trying to STAY consistent. Getting a proper mirror. The full body mirror we have here at home I'm NOT unhappy with my weight. Clothes or undressed. BUT when I'm at work and I pass by the windows and see how fat I am!!!
Yikes, makes me a bit upset!

[ZaireinHD]

But I'm not sure where to purchase a full body mirror? I know I don't want to make the purchase on-line!
Too many purchases I've made on-line that I would so much rather go to a store and see and touch for myself.

[shandi76]

I work out to stay fit and healthy.
I also work out for the endorphins and stress relief. I'm pretty addicted to exercising and feel more stressed and tired if I don't work out.
I also love food, so I need to work out to burn off all the calories.
I also enjoy the social aspect of it (I mostly do exercise classes/ mixed martial arts: can't be bothered with cardio machines.)

[pig]

Zaire you can get them anywhere. Bed Bath and Beyond, Wal Mart, Target ect.

I got motivation at the doctors yesterday. He went to take my blood pressure and said he needed a bigger cuff so he went and got a fat person cuff from the other room. He grabbed my arm as I was leaving and said "You're getting huge!". Too bad it wasn't a female doctor.