Reasons to Get Fit and Stay Motivated

Dear internet and future self. Here are the top reasons why you want to get fit and continue training:

  • It's good for your health
  • Helps you build confidence in your body which in turn

    • Create confidence in your mental self
    • Allow you to date knowing you also look good
    • Can show off muscles and strength when needed
    • Enhances your personality (so that you aren't subconsciously thinking about how you look)
    • Look great in group pictures and selfies and festivals (Coachella)
  • You paid money for a gym membership ($45/month)
  • Leads to better sex (endurance, effort, etc)
  • Fit into better/fashionable clothing. Pant sizes will go down when you workout and eat less.
  • More energy throughout the day
  • Able to participate in sports with endurance
  • You won't feel embarrassed going to the beach or pool.
  • Do it for self-love. Give your body what it needs.

Here are the reasons that stand in your way of obtaining this goal:

  • Requires easy, medium, or tremendous effort
  • It requires lots of discipline to keep attending the gym
  • Soreness will continue to be a thing. You need to get used to it.
  • Laziness: being a couchpotato and watching movies or TV shows
  • Tiredness: you might want to hit the bed instead of workout and expel energy
  • Timing may not be convenient if you have conflicting schedules or events
  • You love food, soda, and alcohol
  • You subconsciously think people are looking at you

Here are the actions to help you stay on track:

  • Find your true motivation and remember it anytime you don't feel like working out or get tempted to eat bad food.
  • Go to the gym as much and as often as possible with an effort on persistent workout.
  • Keep tracking calories and be honest with yourself. You know what's good for you. Don't be tempted.
  • Weigh yourself every morning on the scale. Keep track of all incremental changes to your weight.
  • Change up your workout as soon as you start to get bored with the current set up.
  • Forego as many "group" events as you can that involves food, drinks, or alcohol. If you do go, keep track of those calories.
  • Check out all those pictures of people that you DO want to look like.
  • Remember that the goal is attainable. The process is slow but you will eventually lose weight. Trust the process.
  • Hack yourself.

    • Brush your teeth early to prevent late night eating.
    • Park far away to get extra steps in during the day.
    • Purposefully take breaks around your work building.
  • Lift weights or do a body workout while watching TV.
  • Drink water when you feel hungry.
  • Remember the memories when you were not proud of your body:

    • San Jose incident where you could not ride an attraction because your body was too big.
    • Squeakiness of chair/bed/sofa due to your weight
    • Reflections of the mirror because you were ashamed at how you look.
    • Beach or pool time with your friends
  • Remember when you did look good (230 lbs), you can get there again.
  • Make it a habit and part of your routine.

    • Try different gym schedules (before work, after work, or both)
    • If not the gym, at least maintain by going for a run, hiking on a trail, participating in cleanup (preferably whole day).
    • Break a sweat for an extended period of time
  • If you eat outside, pick healthier choices.

    • Stick to white meat like chicken and fish.
    • Do not add sauce to your food.
    • Don't drink sugar (no sodas, lemonade, etc).
    • And don't forget to log your food.
  • Other people have been successful, which means you can be successful too.