What keeps you motivated or inspires you to keep going?

[Estarossa19]

All of my clothes fitting looser and overall energy improvements so far. I've dropped about 30 pounds in the last 3 months and started moving a lot more. Knees and ankles don't hurt going for a daily walk anymore.

My wife and I are expecting our first in 2ish weeks and being able to keep up with a little one was one of my reasons for starting. Being part of an inactive family and being glued to videogames cause my parents had issues moving due to weight made me realize I don't want that cycle to continue.

I've tried every diet under the sun and uttered the phrase, "Diet will start again Monday" for years at this point. Actually seeing some changes has been awesome and super motivating.

 

[Abrakebabra]

Could have written your post myself almost - and in fact am having surgery in 4 days time to sort the herniated disc that's been plaguing me for years!!

My main motivator is to not be embarrassed by photos of myself. I'm 6'3" so have always been able to carry off having a bit of extra weight and still not looking too bad, but a year or so ago I saw a photo of myself and was embarrassed how awful I looked. For now I just want to not be ashamed.

I also have a great XL top that I want to fit in, and I keep trying that on. It's not there just yet but it's definitely fitting better than it was...!!

 

[randompersonrandom]

To be healthier. I don't expect to be as hot as I was before I gained weight but it would be nice to be able to buy clothes. Way too many options are just not workable for me yet.

I'm so excited to see the time when you get close to where you're ultimately going. You came in around here at around the same time I did, and I know you were facing a long row to hoe. You're so determined and practical, and I have so much confidence that you'll get to where you want to be, and I hope we're both still hanging around here when you do; cause I'm looking forward to hearing about your joy.

 

[ForrestRun]

Thank you for posing this question, I've not actually put a ton of thought into this!

I've struggled with my weight my entire life. I've yoyo'd between 300+ lbs and even once down to 185 on a keto diet and what I called at the time "extended fasting" (aka, eating disorder ). I started my journey with GLPs to overcome the constant food noise I'd dealt with for 20+ years, and on that front it's done wonders. But like many of us, I also did it for vanity reasons -- I'm single, middle-aged, and have got enough wrong with me that I didn't want to add "fat" into the equation.

But as I lost weight and got back to the gym, my motivation shifted from the superficial to the more meaningful. I just want to feel good about myself, about how I'm perceived in the world, and about how I physically feel in my body. I feel better physically now than I ever have, and realizing that is what keeps me going. Remembering the headspace and malaise I was in at other times is really a huge motivation for me.

So basically my motivation is understanding my journey so far and that I want to stick with it! I know that backsliding would be devastating to me, so I keep on!

 

[neo6488]

So much of being active Ive never pursued just due to weight. Hoping slimming down helps with that. That being said Im down about 65lbs from my heaviest and I frequently feel that I dont look or feel any different. Probably something I should address.

 

[Calm Logic]

My only motivation in life: To show the reta bros that tirz is awesome, haha.

 

[Chili777]

My only motivation in life: To show the reta bros that tirz is awesome, haha.

FAIL

 

[Camlbacker]

What keeps you motivated or inspires you to keep going?

Mots-c.

 

[Myfathersbastard]

I have just changed my profile to the aesthetic I'm striving for. Hopefully each time I see it, it inspires me to keep working. Ambitious I know but got to aim for the moon!

I also have a back injury (herniated disc) that the docs say will be a whole lot better if I weigh less and can get rid of the fat that has infiltrated my lower back muscles. Being pain free is a huge motivator for me. It's plagued me for years.

I have a couple of t-shirts I bought that are really nice but I have never worn as they're currently too small and have hung in the wardrobe since. I will try them on periodically to see how they fit and look forward to the day I can go out in public in one. That's one goal.

I would also like to look good in a nice tight knitted jumper, rather than a bag of jelly that been dropped a few times haha. Im tired of wearing oversized baggy things to hide my body.

What's your motivations/goals/inspirations?!

Edit: On reflection of this, if I'm truly open and honest about it what I really want is to feel happy in my own skin and be proud of my body. I've felt very insecure and unhappy about how I look for all of my adult life, which has had a nock on impact in my romantic life (or lack of one). I have a string of failed weight loss attempts previously through more conventional methods. I'm now just over a month into this journey and already feeling very positive about the future and excited about what's to come.

Self loathing and the willingness to inject cheap research peptides from China into my system.

 

[Fat2Fit26]

At the start 3 years ago I was in a shitty situation, in poor health and just going supermarket shopping was exhausting. And I just wanted to try to lose 20 or 30 kilos so I could walk and move around more easily.

Now 78 kilos lighter, it is just 1000 times more comfortable being in my body, and I do not want to lose that, and I have super good health reasons not to put the weight back on. GLP medications make keeping the weight off much less difficult. And thanks to this forum and cheap Chinese peptides I can actually access them.

Wow, that is HUGE! Well done. Super happy for you. Glad you’re reaping the rewards from the effort you’ve put in. And yes, thank the stars for Chinese imports haha!

 

[Fat2Fit26]

At the start of last year I was 300lbs at 5'8" with 45% bodyfat and a visceral fat index of 19. Early in that year I ended up a 41 year old morbidly obese divorcee. So just like every man in a midlife crisis who cant afford a Jag, to the gym I went! After a 50lb loss I plateaued. Then I found GLP's. Reta changed my life and introduced me to the world of grey market peptides. Now I'm down to 195lbs with 19% BF and visceral fat index of 8.

Motivation was hard at first, but once I started seeing the small changes, it really got me going. The body dysmorphia is still there and probably will be for life, but I'm slowly learning to like the person I see in the mirror. Muscles are now showing and have a decent amount of definition which keeps me more than motivated. Last years goal was to lose 75lbs and I lost 100. This years goal is 15%bf. Self loathing and anger lead me to GLP-1's and then my ADHD hyper-fixation turned me into a walking petri dish of sketchy Chinese research compounds.... And I wouldn't have it any other way!

View attachment 15631

The "after" photo was about 15-20 lbs ago, but it's the most recent one I've got.

WOAH! Nice work bro. Like night and day already there and you’re even lighter now. Very happy for you. All sounds like it’s going the right way for a happier healthier life. I’ve already started seeing the first signs of muscles showing (slightly ) so that’s exciting isn’t it.

I also have an ADHD fixation habit which has reared it’s head with this journey

Keep going man. You’re going to look so good in that Jag when you get it

 

[miss-sanne]

I want to me be again, loose the pounds, I got metabolic dysfunction after pregnancy.

AND most importantly, be healthy for my kid and for myself. :-I

 

[cldfront]

I only ever wanted to not have to shop in the 'plus' size section. Just wanted to be able to walk into a store at the mall and buy regular sizing clothes and wear them comfortably.

 

[MsGizmo]

Awww .. thanks so much.

 

[Fat2Fit26]

I have no desire to be diabetic. It’s on both sides of my family, and I’m getting to the age where it start becoming an issue easier tha not.

Great motivation and awareness. My dad made himself diabetic and then reversed it with diet. I was definitely heading a similar way and was/am insulin resistant to some degree. Wishing you all the luck.

 

[Fat2Fit26]

That’s right. I was diagnosed two months ago. I had an ultrasound and an elastography, which showed a fairly high grade. However, the latest blood tests indicate that with tirzepatide, diet, and exercise, I am gradually improving and slowly reversing the condition.

I was diagnosed with this quite some time ago after my bloods indicated raised ALT levels. I didn’t take it too seriously really as the guy doing the ultrasound said it “wasn’t that bad, nothing worse than everyone else who comes through”

However I’m not sure that is the right attitude haha. I would be interested to have a repeat scan when I’m further along my journey. Glad to hear you’re heading in the right direction

 

[Fat2Fit26]

My progress is what is motivating me, very simple I guess.

Seeing results makes me want MORE results!

Im only early but I feel this MOOOOOORE!