Losing weight and getting fit isn’t merely about looking good on Instagram. In fact, a lot of people lose weight to prevent death, which is quite a motivator. Have you found your “why” for weight loss?
In reality, it doesn’t matter why you want to lose weight if you decide to do so. What’s sad is how so many people in the fat-acceptance community view weight loss and fitness as an attack on their lifestyle choices, especially when it’s from a celebrity they love.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks.
But for those who want to lose weight and build their level of fitness, the first step is grounding yourself in why you want to do it in the first place. Finding your “why” can be quite a powerful motivational tool.
Sure, we can talk about the practical benefits of losing weight. However, your reason to get started will be the thing that keeps you moving forward.
7 Reasons Why I’m Losing Weight and Getting Fit
Everyone has underlying reasons why they decide to jump on the weight loss and/or fitness bandwagon. But are the reasons strong enough to keep most people on task? Judging by how often people fail at diets or eventually give up exercising, I’d say probably not.
If you truly want to make a lifestyle change, you need to keep your head in the game for the long term. And figuring out your most important motivators is but the first step.
So, what are some motivators for me to lose weight?
1. I Don’t Wanna Die
First, not dying is pretty high on my list of motivational purposes. After cheating death as often as I have, I don’t really want to tempt fate. And yes, my weight was a big contributor to nearly dying in the past.
Despite what the “healthy at any weight” people think, obesity greatly increases the risks of heart disease, stroke, more than 10 types of cancer, and more. Why would anyone want to play Russian Roulette with those problems on purpose?
You’d think in the wake of several “fat positivity influencers” dying recently, people would put more thought into what they put into their mouths.
For me, I’d rather give myself the best chance of surviving the next decade. And if it wasn’t for losing 80 pounds thus far and improving my overall fitness, I would have been dead years ago. For one thing, the cardio exercises I’ve done since 2014 vastly improved the functionality of my heart. I don’t have nearly the flutter issues I had back then.
2. Higher Resistance to Illness and Injury
Fitness helps reduce the risks of illness as well as preventing injuries. Evidence supports how staying active reduces the risks of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, pneumonia, and many others. This is why you see fewer healthy people suffering from things like the common cold or flu compared to those who are obese.
Then, physical fitness reduces the risks of injuries by improving blood flow, strength, and stamina. For instance, lifting weights helps solidify muscle mass and strengthen bones. As such, your limbs are harder to break during an automobile accident.
I am a bit of a clutz. So, anything that is going to benefit me from not breaking anything is ideal. Not to mention that I still have a child at school and don’t want her bringing home the next latest and greatest illness.
3. Self-Sufficient Around the House
One of the greatest benefits for me in terms of fitness is being self-sufficient. It’s nice to carry two 5-gallon jugs of water at a time into the house. I like being able to lift heavy furniture while I clean. And I like the idea of tending my pumpkins in the garden or doing some yard work without getting winded.
In fact, I still talk about my visit to the grocery store and picking up a 50-pound bag of dog food with one arm and thinking I picked up the smaller size.
That’s one thing a lot of people don’t take into consideration. There are a lot of practical benefits when it comes to losing weight and fitness that go well beyond appearance. You’re more capable of taking care of things yourself without needing assistance.
4. Prolonged Fun Physical Activities
Nothing is worse than having a nice day of activities planned with the family and then not being able to participate as much because you’re too winded to climb a slight incline for about five feet. Yes, that happened when I weighed 290 pounds.
Plus, there are times when I would love to play an entire basketball game with the boys or go swimming at the lake without getting wiped out too fast. Those are the things that can happen when you’re incredibly lethargic and morbidly obese.
Although I’m not quite to my goal weight yet, I have noticed a profound difference in energy levels and stamina during such activities. It’s nice to actually outperform the kids when it comes to physical activities. If you want to win, you better bring your A-game. I don’t let anyone win.
5. Physical Attraction
Like I said during the Tuesday night show, if you can’t see someone on top of you, it’s not going to work out. Physical attraction is a key element to a solid relationship. If you’re physically repulsed by someone, the intimacy part of the relationship is far more difficult to maintain.
Humans are a very visual species. What we see can draw emotions of all kinds both good and bad. So yes, liking what you see in your partner is important.
I know, you’re probably thinking that looks aren’t everything and that it’s shallow to justify appearance. In reality, though, you can’t deny human nature. We are often drawn to what the eye sees as beautiful. And even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I would still like to do my best to give that person some eye candy.
6. Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse
No, I don’t actually believe that a zombie apocalypse is going to happen. But what if a massive calamity or natural disaster did occur and threatened the human species? Would you be a burden or a hero?
Being fit would vastly improve your chances of surviving the most deadly of disasters. It goes along the lines of what I mentioned earlier about being more resistant to injury and illness. Having a healthy body and mind can ultimately play a pivotal role in your survival.
When those zombies come out of the forest, running at full speed for as long as you can will keep you from being someone’s dinner. Or, picking up that two by four and pummeling away at the dead will protect yourself and your family.
The bottom line is that being fit will give you the greatest chances for survival whether you’re facing a devastating earthquake or having to fight through a cat-five hurricane.
7. To Prove to Myself I Can Do It
Lastly, I want to prove to myself that I have the motivation and willpower to reshape myself in such a manner. I know I won’t have the motivation to maintain six-pack abs indefinitely, but I would like to see if I could develop them just once in my life.
Plus, I am driven by breaking personal records when it comes to exercise and weight lifting. I find it fun to constantly outperform myself while reaching new heights.
It’s actually an incredible feeling when you surpass your own expectations of yourself. The first time I held a 2-minute plank, I geeked out about it for weeks. It gave me a bit of a self-esteem boost as well as reinforced my confidence.
Why Do You Want to Lose Weight?
In the grand scheme of things, there really are no right or wrong answers when it comes to finding what motivates you to accomplish goals. As long as they can keep your attention for longer than a few days, that’s what really matters.
Do you want to fit into that small swimsuit? That’s completely fine. Want to carry a couch down a flight of stairs from the third floor? Do what you need to do, bud. Want to look good on Instagram so you can be a fitness influencer? Who am I to say that’s bad?
It doesn’t matter why you want to lose weight or get fit as long as that is what motivates you.
Find your “why” and make a commitment to yourself. You only have one body. You might as well get the most mileage from it that you can.
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