That was 65 pounds ago. And I feel pretty! What motivates me to lose these last 15 pounds and maintain my healthy lifestyle forever is something completely different now. It’s not all about the vanity anymore: I’m enjoying feeling healthy! I have so much more energy due to exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods and not having to lug around that extra weight on my bod. I have an extra hop in my step that I’ve never had before. My mom said recently that this is probably the healthiest I’ve ever been, and I hadn’t thought of it that way before. I’ve been skinnier and more physically fit, but my insides are healthier than ever. Healthy insides are where it’s at! The outer stuff will come in time when I keep working out and staying active. Can’t wait!

My motivation then (pre-100lb weight loss) is different compared to my motivation now (healthier weight).

The motivation I had then was the bottom of the bottom feeling of looking around and realizing I was the only one standing in the way of getting what I wanted. The hard core looking in the mirror and pointing the finger at no one but myself. Yes, Annabel – that was the source of motivation for me – looking around and realizing I had no one to blame but myself. And realizing that if I was going to do anything, I was going to have to live 100% of my life that way, not just half-assed. Realizing I was going to have to change my entire life as I knew it which included everything I ate, my social activities, who I choose to hang around with – EVERYTHING. One step at a time, one small choice at a time. Just like anything else. Just like obtaining a dregree, we take one class at a time, one homework assignment at a time. Just like driving cross country, we take one state at a time, one mile at a time. My journey to healthiness would be one step at a time.

The motivation I have now to sustain what I’ve accomplished is remembering what it was like to turn sideways to fit through a doorway. The inability to go to the bathroom on an airplane. The anticipation of ordering at a restaurant with friends and dreading the “oh, poor fat girl shouldn’t be ordering that” stares. Yes, those way deep down feelings that I could hardly admit to myself let alone anyone else around me – that’s what motivates me to keep going. The darkest of dark moments where my only hope was to continue to smile, even if it was a shell of a smile just to prevent me from crumbling no matter where I was. Those memories, those are my motivation – remembing where I was and not wanting to go back. Realizing how happy life really can be if we just put a little time and effort into a healthy lifestyle.

And that, that is my wish for everyone else too! To remember their experiences and funnel them as a source of motivation for future experiences! Thanks for such a great question Annabel! I might have to turn this into an actual blog post, HA!

1) I simply want to be able to walk up stairs without being winded
2) I want to hit six buoys on a waterskiing slalom course
3) I want to complete a triathlon with my brother-in-law
4) I want to live a long life with my wife (my body has to last a long time to meet this!)

To meet my goals I first had to admit something to myself: I get bored easily and sometimes working out can be boring! To keep my short attention span happy, I utilize the many forms of workouts that exist in the world. I’ve come up with some approaches to working out that help me keep going:

1) I try to work out with a family member (I.E: my wife, my sister, my brother-in-law all swim together every weekend.)
2) I do sports I love: swimming, wakeboarding, waterskiing, surfing, etc…

I hate running and biking and being in a gym. My motivation for those is the triathlon I’m committed to with my brother-in-law. Now I have to do them, but I’m not alone.

I love junk food. My motivation for eating good is the triathlon and all the sports I love. I can’t do that stuff if I don’t eat well.

I hope this helps!