For me it was not being able to do something that I really wanted to do. If you're anything like me (heaven help you if you are), it takes a daily promise to myself to keep at it and not quit on myself. Short list of things that motivate me:
1) Front, back and side pictures of me in a pair of swim trunks. Take these pictures every couple of months to get a reality check on your progress.
2) Write down the answer to these questions and read them every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to sleep (from Body-for-Life by Bill Phillips):
- Have you made the decision to change?
- What are your reasons for making the decision to change?
- When you look at yourself, do you honestly like what you see?
- How do you feel deep down inside?
- How do you really feel about yourself?
- Are you confident, energetic and strong?
- Do you often wonder if you're on the right path?
- What are the pros and cons of continuing in the direction you're going?
- Would you like to create a better future?
3) Punching a new hole in my belt every month
In order to get, and stay, motivated, I have to have something to lose. For me to have remained in the poor physical condition that I was in, I would have ended up with diabetes, heart disease, or who knows what else. But what really kicked me in the arse was the thought of having to quit diving because I would be endangering myself and those who dive with me every time I go for a dive. That was my motivation. Seems kind of trivial, but right here, right now, that's more than I care to lose. Hope that helps.
-Frank