My Motivation … quite simple … to look like a Shape Cover-girl or better.
Simple motivator which has required my utmost effort & determination … but good news is … I’m getting there :)
Today was Movie Day—a day in which I do nothing but watch movies, and I try to have one at least once a month.
You see, I love movies :-)
And today, perhaps to rekindle my inner child, I spent 91 minutes watching a movie that I literally watched every day for an entire summer when I was 12 years old: Rocky IV.
Now, you may not agree with me that Rocky IV is one of the best movies of all time, but if you’re a Rocky fan at all, you’ve GOT to agree that it’s the absolute best out of all the Rockies (and there will be time to debate that later if you don’t :-)
I mean, what a great story, right? Rocky, avenging his best friend Apollo’s death by defeating the highly-favored, monstrous Russian on his own turf in Russia−even for someone who’s seen it 79 times like me, it’s pretty intense stuff.
But apart from that, even if you somehow didn’t care for the movie (and I can’t imagine how), Rocky IV can still teach you something extremely valuable and applicable to you and your own goals.
And that is, the raw power of motivation.
Let’s be honest, if Rocky had gone in to fight the Drago prior to Apollo or at any other time, under any other circumstances, he would have got his butt handed to him. The dude was a monster, and had Rocky outmatched in every possible way.
But because Rocky had something extremely powerful to motivate him (the fact that this guy killed his best friend), he was able to seemingly defeat some crazy odds and emerge victorious.
Let me ask you a question: What’s YOUR motivation? What is it that gets you up in the morning and over to the gym before work when everyone else is sleeping in?
What is it that allows you to regularly pass up the quick and easy (and frankly, delicious) foods that so many others regularly indulge in?
Do you have a REAL source of motivation? If you don’t, it’s highly likely you’re going to get “knocked out” by all the temptation and “easy ways out” that surround us on a daily basis.
Let’s face it, it’s a heck of a lot easier to eat whatever, whenever, and skip the whole workout thing then it is to live a fit, healthy lifestyle.
You absolutely have to have a very powerful source of motivation, because without one, your toast.
So do you have a source of motivation that keeps you going strong toward your goals each and every day? What is it?
Reaffirm it by posting it in the comments section below to start today off with renewed focus (and if you don’t value your “reason” enough to post it below, it’s probably safe to say that you don’t really have one).
Talk to you in the comments section!
Joel
Related Posts
351 comments - add yours
You need to see the movie “Bigger, Stronger, Faster”. What motivated Stallone was the steroids he took off-screen. It’s hypocrisy how it portrays the honest noble American. The big bad Russian Communist uses steroids to get big but our noble hero uses hard work. Absolute hypocrisy.
I’ll respect Stallone if you admit that he didn’t use steroids to get that body.
Rocky IV was *definitely* the best! Great motivation all around.
My motivation is that this year Dec 31, 2009 I turn 40 and I always said that i would be fit and healthy at 40. My daughter is another motivation for me I come from an overwieght unhealthy family and it is time that someone stops the cycle and it is going to stop with me. Now that I am eating healthy and exercising I have noticed that I am a much happier and healthier person I still have several pounds to go but the largest wieght has already been lefted (my struggle with diets) I am no longer on a diet, I have changed my life when I call it a diet the assumption is that it comes to an end when ideal wieght is achieved but that is not the case, it never ends it has to be looked at as a live style change or old habits will creep in and the weight will return. Just as an aside my daught er now that all temptation has been removed from the house has lost wieght as well as a family we can beat are family history.
My motivation is probably different than most people’s. I come from a long line of cancer in my family…my mother & my older sister have both had breast cancer, three of my grandparents & my dad died of different types of cancer. In all the reading I’ve done, weight & proper eating are crucial to avoid cancer. I’m now entering menopause & hormones also play a part in this as I’ve read. The weight just doesn’t come off as easily as before.
My other reason is that I have four children, ages 14, 12, 9, & 5. I want to be healthy & strong to be able to keep up with them & to enjoy them. I homeschool, I do the bookkeeping for my husband’s business, & we’re in the process of buying a farm amongst other things.
So, do I need to keep fit & healthy? Absolutely!!! What other motivation do I need?
Having been overweight in the past is my primary motivation to do what I do. I will never allow myself to be in that place again. In a way I’m quite thankful that I’ve experienced what it’s like to live at an unhealthy body fat percentage because it truly limits your happiness. Keep up the good work Joel. A very appropriate and entertaining post, as always.
Thanks for the reminder that I need to know what my motivation is for wanting to change. Right now I am pissed that I had to buy the next size larger jeans (and they fit tight). I am also pissed at myself for paying over $100 per month for a gym membership for me and my son and we are only going about 2 times a month (that is about $50 a visit. Not a good deal). On the plus side I have been reading some of your e-books and am going to start making some changes in my life.
Hi Joel – my motivation is to avoid the type 2 diabetes that my father has and grandfather had… Need to stay trim, and healthy… Have a wonderful day:)
My motivation is…I’m tired of dieting. I want to be finished with this once and for all. I have been “dieting” for 10+ years. This is it. I will reach 180 lbs, and I will stay that weight for the rest of my life.
The greatest workout video ever produced, but “Rocky Balboa” shows motivation and determination at any age. I’m basically a marathoner, but I know a good core workout helps my running, frequently breaking the 4 hr mark over the last couple of years.
Rocky IV is cool but I think Rocky III is my favorite. My motivation is to be as healthy as I can. My father had lots of health issues that presented themselves in his 40’s. I just turned 40 this year and was previously diagnosed with MS. My goal is to get my weight down around 185 (from 208 this summer) and make healthier choices in my diet.
Hi Joel,
What really motivates me is that again after 6 months of change my common “way of life”, following a better and healthier diet, I can fit again in my suits, I have again the same measure on waist after 15 years…. and I only train 45 min 4 days a week! and follow my diet carefully. Now when I found people from my school generation they see me completely astonished that I have a better condition than them and look younger!!!
And I agree with you Rocky IV is the best, I always carry a CD on my car with “No easy way out” and “Hearts on Fire”, they are like an anthem to me to keep me motivated!
My motivation is:
1: To make that girl do a double take.
2: To have my friends say, “If he can do it, so can I”
3: To have my friends wives say “Damn, I married the wrong man”
4: To not huff and puff after walking up a flight of stairs
5: To not feel like crap when I wake up in the morning.
6: To repair damage that was done in my younger years.
7: To be able to handle myself should trouble come my way.
8: To increase the options I have in life.
9: To feel more confident, improving quality of life…especially in the sac!
10: To stop talking about it, and to prove to myself and others that I can.
Sorry, I don’t think I introduced myself when I first joined. I’m Andy, 28, from Canada. 5’9″, 190 Lbs., 27.7% BF.
The biggest problems I’ve had is getting into a diet. I decided to just go for it with this program, as I couldn’t be bothered nor afford a dietitian. I’m in my first week of the program and feeling good about. Definitely dedicated this time, and feel that there is nothing that is going to stop me from reaching my goal of dropping thirty pounds of fat!
Action speak louder than words!!
My motivation is the thought of lessening my asthma. To be able to walk up stairs and to class without wheezing and feeling embarrassed all the time. Also my grandmother is my motivation, she became handicapped right before she was possibly going to go the Olympics for swimming, and i feel that if i become more fit and better at the sports I play (particularly fencing since she used to fence) then she will be able to vicariously enjoy the sports she is unable to participate in now. It may also convince her to try your program and loose some of the weight that inevitably piled on after she lost the ability to use the lower half of her body.
My motivation is HEALTH then family. I’ve been Cancer free for just over 2 years and with 6 grandchildren to watch grow up, I have to get healthy.
My motivation is to stay strong, lean, and healthy now so that someday when I start a family, I can lead by example and pass along my healthy and active lifestyle. I also want to feel good and comfortable in my body and not judge myself against others.
My 3 kids. I think about how it feels when I have the energy to play with them when I take care of ME first.
I’m close to 300 lbs and at the age of 35 I’m 8 months post-op of a full hip replacement. I’m getting married on July 17th to a girl that got me through all that among alot of other things. It motivates me. She deserves a fit, well disciplined, healthy husband.
Feeling light, energetic and in control of my own body, is what motivates me. From time to time I’ll think “oh what the hell, go on have some”, and you know what, I’ll pay the price for the rest of the day, feeling weighed down, sluggish and disappointed with myself. Feeling good is what motivates me.
I completely agree. Another point that I really like about that movie was when Paulie – ;) – asks him when he’s going to spar… and Rocky tells him he doesn’t need to because his technique is already perfect. Being so good that all you need to do is stay honed.. now that AWESOME!
@Steve –
The quote is actually “I MUST break you” (then he smashes his gloves down onto Rocky’s)
What a great movie..have to agree, this is the best Rocky of them all….I have even watched this movie to prime me for a workout–several times within the last year…hehehe
I have many motivators. I just turned 39 I’ve always been told I look younger than I am and that I’m in pretty good shape, but I want to look freakin’ FABULOUS at 40! I have struggled with low metabolism, extreme fatigue, adrenal exhaustion (burned out from a high-stress job), and I’m sick of feeling tired, I want to FEEL fabulous at 40. I’ve had a tough couple of years financially, and between that and some bad habits, I’ve gained a few but frankly can’t afford to replace my whole wardrobe in a bigger size, I need to get back in my gorgeous skinny jeans again!
But probably my biggest motivator is my mom…she’s been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, you name it, and her whole family has a similar health story so she has trouble seeing a reason to change…I want to be a role model for her, to be her motivation (well, me and her beautiful grandchildren!), to show her that you can do it, not because you have to force yourself even though it hurts, but because it’s worth it ’cause it feels GREAT.
Good shout! The training montage with Rocky up in the mountains is the most epic scene ever!
As well as being a martial artist and the desire to stay in shape for the love of my sport, a lot of my motivation in the gym is nothing more than the test of my own will, I just love pushing my body to the edge and knowing that the discipline and focus that I use there will help me anywhere in life.
Nice post
Being healthy, fit, and have a good body.
Regards
Juergen
I am motivated to lose the weight because I cannot do the things I used to do and really miss doing.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hey, it’s Joel! So you want to know a little more about me, huh? Well, I’d be happy to oblige :-)
I guess it all started back in 2001 (my freshman year of college) when I was just a “skinny fat” 19-year old kid. At the time, I was spending close to 2 hours a day in the gym (now my workouts last about 30 minutes), and despite my efforts, you’d probably never guess I worked out a day in my life by looking at me...