Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008...10:52 pm
What Inspires You?
I have been thinking a bit about inspiration tonight as I read through some of the recent blog comments. What I am realizing is I don’t know that I know what truly inspires me.
Andrew wrote that I have inspired him:
You can get back on the horse John. Back when you posted about running 2 miles in a row you really inspired me. I ran 6 miles in a row the other day and I owe a lot of it to you and this website.
So did Violet:
Thanks for this post, John. It inspired me to go out and do a 2.5 mile run - my old cross country race route. I have been cheating the runner in me by walking a lot - it feels like I’m still doing something, but you’re right, it’s not as effective for weight loss.
In the first case the inspiration was an action that I took, and presumably how I wrote about it. In the second case the inspiration was not a direct action, but rather really calling out to the reader to reflect on themselves.
Metroknow wrote about what inspires him:
One other thing on the “inspiring” thing that JoLynn mentioned — a couple of weekends ago I watched the movie “300″, and although its quite graphic in its depictions of warfare, all of the actors who were the Spartans were pretty ripped, which totally inspired me to get my workout act together. Because I can tell ya, I ain’t no Spartan…
As I read this I realized I don’t get inspired from seeing “ripped” guys, but I suppose that may be because I am not at that point in my journey, I’m still at the losing weight part. So that tends to be what I like to read about, and to see, are dramatic changes like what you see on Biggest Loser, for example.
But does it inspire me? Has it caused me to go out and take action? To stop myself when I go to the pantry to fill up a bowl of Gorp (like I did tonight, for no reason).
No.
I think I need help finding inspiration but then more importantly taking action on it. Knowing your weaknesses is half that battle.
What inspires you? Would you be more inspired by someone who went from obese to normal or normal to totally ripped? Is it only a function of where you are in your own journey?
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19 Comments
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
April 24th, 2008 at 12:13 am
It is an interesting point that you make about whether or not something actually inspires you take action. I know a big turning point for me was when it truly sunk in that I was passing bad habits onto my children.
For me at least, nothing is more motivating than wanting to set a healthy example for my babies.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:40 am
I find inspiration from a variety of things. One that hit me tonight was http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/2008/04/24/how-to-reduce-your-cholesterol-by-over-50-without-drugs/.
Anytime someone proves that diet and exercise can make real health changes, from the inside out, I’m impressed and inspired.
It’s amazing the power of blogging……………..:)
April 24th, 2008 at 7:25 am
April 24th, 2008 at 11:33 am
April 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am
So, I’m inspired by the vision I hold of where I’m going, of what I’m manifesting in my life, not only in the physical sense, but also in mind and spirit. I’m going for a whole body, mind, spirit transformation, which I think is needed (basically a lifestyle shift) to keep the weight off.
I also get inspiration from feeding my mind the positive every day, and specifically re: weight loss, I find inspiration in positive success stories of people who made lifestyle changes to get and keep the weight off.
Hey, I could have just said that the shining sun inspires me (which it does).
Inspiration is everywhere, we just have to look.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
April 24th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
April 24th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
@sickofbeingfat - I have also noticed habits being passed to my kids and I am not happy about that.
@iaadmin - yeah, andrew’s blood work results were awesome and very inspiring I agree! I know many of my weaknesses, yes. Doing something about them is another matter.
@cammy - drawing inspiration from your own success is a good point, and it’s a reason why I think blogging is so good - when you are down you can read the archives to get re-inspired.
@angie - “I never know what will get me out of them until it does.” - I really like this quote, and it’s a good reminder why it is important to just stick with it.
@jolynn - “I find inspiration in positive success stories of people who made lifestyle changes to get and keep the weight off.” - this is probably my biggest inspiration as well.
@susie - inspired by inner strength, that’s a good one.
@steve - “Converting that inspiration into motivation and action has been my challenge and goal- before desperation sets in.” - yep, that’s me too.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:46 am
You do tend to become like the crowd that you hang with. I’ve been reading you blog for some time now and it did make me think about going out and run or walk a little more as well. I would say your blog has inspired me. It is good for me to think this way. Great Blogging.
April 26th, 2008 at 8:05 am
When I think about it, that’s part of what finally got me moving towards a healthier life in the first place — knowing that several people, including myself, had given up on me. At that point, the desire to prove them (and myself) wrong became so strong that I (finally) began what would eventually turn into a whole lifestyle change.
I don’t know, perhaps that’s not the most healthy or noble of ways to draw inspiration, but I’m well aware of the fact that I have a healthy stubborn streak, and if it helps motivate me to keep at this, well… I’m ok with that.
This was a very thought provoking post. Thanks for getting me thinking about this.
j
April 26th, 2008 at 8:48 am
April 27th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Heres my transformation
http://www.summershred.com/all-about-me/my-transformation/
April 27th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
We just completed week one and both of us are doing well. I’m sure there will be setbacks. When it happens, I’m going to remind myself I don’t want to be the Fat Bastard anymore.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
April 29th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I will second AndrewE’s note though. I think for me, THAT is the biggest inspiration that actually works - and as part of that journey, being active in the communities of folks that are on the same path via my own site, commenting on others sites, and just generally participating.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Of course, I like challenges and progress also inspires me. Feeling healthier helps keep me on track too.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
My allergies, caused by being overweight and unhealthy eating, were really annoying the hell out of me.
Being overweight also made me sweat like a pig all day long and make me tired just when climbing stairs. At this point I’m not even mentioning the negative attention people often gave me.
It was all just to have a normal life. Of course, when I finally was there. I was still not satisfied. I wanted more, I wanted single didget fat percentages, etc… It’s all a mind game really.
For now, I’m glad with where I am. I’m not starving myself and I’m not overweight. I could benefit from some more exercise again, but I’ve got that planned for within a few months.
Anyway,
Great post John. I will definitely be coming back later.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
for me it’s my own potential to be better than I currently am.
in all aspects of my life.
M.
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