What motivates me:

People.

When I see the 90-yr old man swimming laps, steady as a machine, day after day, in the lane next to me.
When I see a mother helping her developmentally disabled daughter to swim and exercise.
When I meet middle-aged men and women taking swimming lessons for the first time in their life.
When I run next to the 70yr old widow on the track or the 80-yr old farmer, walking in his wranglers when the weather is bad.
When I meet diabetics or chronic-illness sufferers making positive steps to improve their lives.
Honestly? If these people can do it, then surely I can find it in me to do it too.
I'm not talking about being an Olympic athlete, or trying to up anyone, but if neighbor JoeSchmoe can run a marathon, there is no good reason why I could not do it either.
All you guys are totally inspiring to me! 




Music
Who doesn't appreciate a good tune? When the going gets tough, as far as exercise is concerned, an upbeat song can do wonders to finish out that stride you didn't think was in you.


Results
Baggy pants? Yes, please! When I realize I can lift more, run faster, bike longer, stretch farther...it feels too good to give up.  Hard work and managing your will power/discipline always pays off. I know that if I can only get to the first step, I can surely get to the second, and so on. Seeing your body and mind beginning to change for the better is a huge step in enjoying a better lifestyle altogether. Then, once you've reached your initial goal, it's amazing to see that  there is never a limit to bettering yourself.

Feeling Good GREAT!
After being 200+ pounds during pregnancy along with flu-like symptoms for 5 months, and not really feeling there was anything I could do about it, I vouched I would never let myself get that way if my womb was empty. Every step I took felt like my hips were splitting and my body would cave in on itself (or maybe explode?) at any moment; it was literally suffocating.  I can't tell you what pregnancy has taught me as far as empathy goes for the chronic pain so many people suffer either by lifestyle choice or disease. It's easier for some than others to maintain or turn-around, but making the right choices is almost always hard to do.
Eating healthy, nutritious food, and pushing your body to make new limits feels amazing: energy, stamina, postive thinking, new limits, better task efficiency, the list is endless...  Everyone on earth deserves to make the opportunity for themselves to feel amazing. It takes effort, and time, and will, but if you want it bad enough, you can have it.  And in the end, it is always worth it--for your family, your community and yourself. When you are your best self, you are a better instrument in the hands of the Lord.