Comments on: What Inspires You?

By: MizFit

MizFit — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:12:09 +0000

very interesting and thought provoking post.

for me it's my own potential to be better than I currently am.

in all aspects of my life.

By: Nico

Nico — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:38:07 +0000

When I started my weight loss journey my main motivations was to have an easier life.

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.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:31:23 +0000

I think what inspires me most is seeing other people commit and stick to their plans. It's reading about that ongoing daily battle that others face (as well as myself) that just helps keep me going.

Of course, I like challenges and progress also inspires me. Feeling healthier helps keep me on track too.

By: metroknow - AlmostFit.com

metroknow - AlmostFit.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:30:00 +0000

Just a follow-up note to my little comment in the article that you quoted: While I felt like I was inspired by being in the virtual company of fit-looking people via a movie, the truth is I have not worked out (other than a few runs) since then. So was it truly inspiring to get me to take action? Doesn't look like like it. . .

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.

By: AndrewE

AndrewE — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:45:26 +0000

I find inspiration in reading about other people's journeys and knowing that it can be done.

By: baldeagle

baldeagle — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:47:45 +0000

For me, inspiration/motivation comes from the recent acknowledgment that I've lost something I valued. I was fit. I used to be… And therein lies the rub. I just started a blog like this one, challenging myself and my girlfriend to get back as much of what we lost as we can.

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.

By: Kenny

Kenny — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:34:02 +0000

Hey John, I just found your website. Congrats on the weight loss so far. I know how hard it is with the diet and exercise. I got to a certain point to where I enjoy working out and eating right because I know that I will have something to show for it. As for inspiration, I was always on the pudgy side since I was born. Probably because I ate fast food everyday. Forty Mcnuggets when you are 13 probably isn't the best way to stay in shape or the healthiest. I always wanted a six pack and never thought that it would be attainable. One from when I started, I finally saw those little lumps under my stomach. That was a good day . Good luck on your weight loss!

Heres my transformation
http://www.summershred.com/all-about-me/my-transformation/

By: Pedometer Challenge: Days 5 & 6 « Fat as Hell…

Pedometer Challenge: Days 5 & 6 « Fat as Hell… — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:48:46 +0000

[...] coupled with John's recent post on the subject has gotten me thinking about inspiration. I read a lot of weight loss blogs and I see people [...]

By: justoofat

justoofat — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:05:13 +0000

Although I'm sure I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, one thing that I think works for me is the idea of a challenge. I'm not much into winning or competition, per say, but if I feel I've been challenged or that someone believes I *can't* do a thing… well, that's when I'm going to do everything in my power to prove them wrong.

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.

By: Alexa Cooper

Alexa Cooper — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:46:51 +0000

Humans are socials. We like to do things with other people and we like to do what others do. We even get inspired watching other people do something. So, everyone here reading about your running, inspired them to go running as well.
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.

By: john - from fat to fit

john - from fat to fit — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:42:34 +0000

@kate – I hadn't considered inspirations changing from day to day but I think you are right, good point. Normalcy would indeed be good!

@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.

By: Steve v4.6

Steve v4.6 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:45:45 +0000

Seeing others overcome adversity, improve themselves, and help others is outrageously inspiring. Converting that inspiration into motivation and action has been my challenge and goal- before desperation sets in.

By: Susie

Susie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:25:19 +0000

I am inspired by those who follow their desires and dreams, and know what the "basics" of life are. They don't waiver from what is truly important.

By: JoLynn Braley

JoLynn Braley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:39:46 +0000

What inspires me is the human potential – that's always been my main inspiration in life – the only limits you have are the ones you place on yourself.

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.

By: Angie Hurst

Angie Hurst — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:33:46 +0000

I enjoy hearing success stories, but honestly, that's not enough to get me up off the couch. (or out from in front of the computer) I have to have something more tangible. A 'reason' always helps me. For instance, when I was having heart arrhythmias I freaked and started working out more. Or, now that I know in a month I will be riding my bike for 11+ miles over hills, I have the motivation to go out and ride. And when I do see results, it motivates me to do more. But it changes constantly, and I do go through slumps, I never know what will get me out of them until it does.

By: Cammy

Cammy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:25:01 +0000

I was inspired inititally by other people's successes, but I think continuing inspiration comes from my own successes. It's that "energy creates energy" thing, or the snowball effect, or whatever you want to call it. While I do have my difficult moments, I now know that I can get right back on track and keep going. (Pssst! I know that you can, too!)

By: IAAdmin

IAAdmin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:40:17 +0000

If half the battle is knowing your weakness, do you know yours?

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……………..:)

By: Sick of Being Fat

Sick of Being Fat — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:13:43 +0000

Hi John,

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.

By: kate

kate — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:19:35 +0000

What inspires me changes from day to day. Some things just hit me some days… while other days they don't even make a dent. In general, I don't want to see hardbodies. I don't expect or aspire to that anyway. All I crave is a little normalcy.