What keeps you motivated?

[Scout200]

Keeping up the habit of working out every day is tough for most of us. What are some ways you keep yourself motivated to hit the gym on your off-days?

-Scout

[yesownz]

Not having 7% bodyfat is probably the biggest reason >_>

[cranny]

The fear of being chubby again like I was through nearly all of my adolescence. I think I hated having to wear "husky" size jeans more than anything.
That plus I want quality of life in my later years. I'm working too damn hard right now to have it otherwise.

[Killer]

To not look at pictures and say "WTF happened!!!???!!!!" To be different and to have something that only can be bought with blood, sweat and tears (well, unless you are a genetic freak).

[Gymrat]

To be able to look down and see my penis lol

[Swole_2112]

One, keeping what I've worked so hard to achieve. Two, seeing myself get stronger with time.

[silver_shadow]

the reasons that i work out for are many - but when i feel a bit lazy, i motivate myself by reminding myself that i hate looking at the average guy out there and having anything to do with him. i need to tell myself that i'm different and that i need to push myself so that i continue to be as different from him and get further away from him too. i don't want to be a lazy beer guzzling, chips munching, arm chair sportsman and complain of a slipped disk from sitting in uncomfortable office chairs (i'm not kidding - this happened!).

[Mr. Pelham]

Trying to get back to being zipped to the bone. Knowing I can achieve what I set my mind to. Knowing a lot of people can't do what I can do. Expanding on the blue print of my life.

[booey]

I have two mental images in my head throughout the year - what I want to look like in the short term, and what I want to look like in the long term. By having those images in my head, it keeps me focused to reach those goals.

[Jrod5150]

There use to be many things that motivated me when I was younger. The main reason was insacurities. Followed by physical results. Then it advanced to strength and just a good self-esteem.

Now days i'm past the motivation aspect of it. It's a way of life for me. Period.

[Samson.]

Good music like Sepultura and Slayer keeps me going (both before and during). I also find that working out with a shirt off (at home) really makes me appreciate where I'm at and what I've achieved (mostly during my 20's), because I like watching the muscles work under the skin, and the vasculature dilate.

[eliseexige]

The mirror, and my training logs that I recently finally learned how to keep.

also, being able to wear whatever I want is nice again. not feeling bloated, seeing progress daily/weekly, etc. 7% or die trying!

edit: Like JRod said - it's just a way of life now. You have to get there on your own though. I don't even think about things anymore, especially diet, which has been by far my biggest hurdle. Now I just do it, and I'm seeing results like never before.

[G-REX]

Getting stronger and getting better at my lifts. I'm constantly tweaking form, working on my weakpoints and trying to get stronger.

[Killer]

Agreed with the way of life. It is easier for me to live this lifestyle and esp diet most of the year than not.

[amped26]

if I need motivation I just read some training logs or posts on the forums to fuel the fire :)

[Gettinripped]

getting up earlier than the rest of the population and feeling like i get a head start. i'm out working the others and i love it.

[Scout200]

My motivation comes from my family. I find myself constantly running after my 3 young children and I have to be able to keep up!! Also, I plan on sticking around for a really long time ;)

[Alumni]

I love getting compliments on my body, and if I stop or take too many days off it goes to shit. I have a goal to reach and although better than average I know I can do better.

[Scout200]

Expanding on the blue print of my life.

I really like your choice of words... That's awesome!