What motivates you to train??

[Tim Wescott]

What are everyone`s reasons for training and eating correctly?

I know it`s for better health & strength, but what keeps you motivated,and continuing to strive to improve?

[axgar]

Easy to answer - Carrot / Stick.

The Stick: For me it's not returning to my former self. Overweight, below average health, and lack of physical attraction to my wife.

The Carrot: I truly love the feeling I get working out! The body is changing for the better and my wife is in lust! ;D

[Mystic79]

To fight depression and to prevent myself from craving alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Although I've been clean so long, relapse can always be a possibility. Also lifting enables me to give it all I got, and have goals for myself. On top of that it ensures a better lifestyle and healthier diet. So many benefits, I can't name 'em! But motivation would have to be for overall physical and mental health.

[the14legion]

to always keep improving and get big.
im little low on motivation right now but its because im overtrained.
like i always say the hardest part isint the got damn training. its the eating 6-8 solid meals a day i f**king hate it but i do it religously every 2 hour.
same food all hte time fish and rise and spinach.
eating clean all the time only time i eat "regular" food is once every week when dieting so my offseason is MUCH more stricter than my diet because when diet i eat for 6 days good and 1 day i eat whatever i want while bulking clean all the time or i would be weighing 300lbs by now fat LOL

[WireNWood]

The thought of what it was like when I could barely put on my socks or tie my shoes - when playing one game of ping-pong with a 10 year old girl would leave me out of breath - when I could find nothing in life worth getting out of my chair for.

Stretching my calves, or holding a package, or operating a hand tool and seeing a new bulge or a new cut in my arms or legs. Probing that bulge with my fingers and finding hard sinuous muscle.

[Tim Wescott]

Good responses guy`s!

I`m personally trying to fight off the aging process,and failing miserably!! ;D

In all seriousnes I credit the bodybuilding lifestyle for saving my life.I know it sounds a bit dramatic but I was an actual drunk living in the street.I have regained and exceeded my self-esteem,fought off my depression ,and gained structure and focus once agaion.

I`m also prepping for thec NPC Masters Nationals and I want to place top 5 so bad I can taste it.

I will continue to train until I`m satisfied which I know I never will be.

Thus I get to live a good productive but at times obsessive lifestyle.

I`ve done far worse things to my body though!!

Another plus is meeting all the great people I have come to known in the sport and on the web that I proudly call my friends,which includes all the great people on this forum.

Train like a demon and exceed your wildest dreams!

[WireNWood]

I'm begining to look forward to the "meeting people" part. The support and comraderie I see flowing here has played a significant part of that.

I'm beginning to keep my eyes open for some type of BB competition or event that I can attend (as a spectator) in Tucson or Phoenix.

Gotta be something in Phoenix.

[Tim Wescott]

Ray, Just do a websearch on bb contests.

there are a lot of different organizations out there:

NPC
NABF
ANBC
Musclemania
INBF

If you type in one of these with the word bodybuilding after it,the websie it brings you to usually has a schedule posted of contests all over the country.

[MikeKy]

Vanity? LOL... Nope, I was in decent shape in my early 30's and have let myself go so to speak. I never got heavy or anything, but the muscle moved around. You know, "My chest slid down around my waist". The biggest thing was I couldn't do the things I wanted to do without being worn out before I was done. I hated that. I have always done everything I needed done. Be it cutting down trees or remodeling or pouring concrete etc.. Of course I also wanted to fight off ageing as long as I can.
The people here are an added plus/benefit. Great folks for sure.

[tarzan]

what motivates me is this pic no supplements, no steroids, just hard work!

[Michael]

I will admit to the vanity, but really it is also a low self esteem issue with the opposite sex for most of my life. It may not be the best reason, but what a lift when a pretty woman at the grocery store check out line, or at the gas pump, starts a simple conversation with you ;D , that I know would have never happened before I started lifting.
Of course, fighting off age ( now in my mid 40’s), and good health are important, and more recently, the helpful effects it has on dealing with depression that problems in life brings.
The activity and great trainers on this board have made this a reality for me, pushing me over the line from a part time commitment to lifting most of my life to full time life style.( I still have a long way, but at least I am over the fence).

[Jesse]

motivation is when my family feels safe when i am around. motivation is when all i have to do is look someone in the eye and they know not to screw around. motivation is walking in and helping to lift something heavy whenever it is needed. motivation is looking at old photos and knowing that i have busted my ass to grow into a bigger man, both inside and out. motivation is being able to walk around in a tank top and not feel skinny. motivation is loading plates on a sled and knowing that i will have to push the weight till i fail or if i dont i know that i have failed.
there is a lot of motivation!!!

[Gord]

What motivates you to train??

My desparate desire to attract the members of the opposite sex. ;D

[PassionateBB]

It seems to have the opposite affect with me! ;D

Gord said:

My desparate desire to attract the members of the opposite sex. ;D

[axgar]

PassionateBB said:

It seems to have the opposite affect with me! ;D

A shame.

At first I was putoff by women much better developed and stronger than myself (ego? ). Except for hormones and steroids, etc that mess the physical traits that make a women I have come to actually enjoy the physiques of bodybuilding women. Nothing like muscle to provide solid attractive curves instead of flab! ;D

[Ireland]

I am 54 been training since1965 . Whats great is when I run into someone I graduated with . A example .I had shorts on the other day and a guy I know said Pat what do you do for your lower legs for them to look like that ? He said it kinda smart like .
My wife was with me in a store .

I said, get a set of 80 -100 lb db's .A bell in each hand and do calf raises and do 8 sets of 12-15 reps with them at least once a week . I have been doing that now going on 40 years !Thats why they look like they do . Things like that motivates me .Great picture of Sandow by the way !

[NWSaint]

To constantly defy age (I absolutely love the look on peoples faces when I tell'm that i'm gonna be '40' in December, heheheh), stay strong and in killer shape and to be a good rep. of the sport.. period!

ps- and also, one of things that really drives me is to think of what I'd look like if I didn't train



"NW"