I've thought about this for a while. While everyone here motivates and inspires me in one way or another, Paula just amazes me. She's like the Little Engine That Could. She doesn't give up. She doesn't let anything get her off track for long.
Then there's my friend, Susan, who constantly nags, I mean, encourages me via IM on a daily basis. We're so much alike and yet so very different, it's great to have a friend like that to hash things out with.
Then there's Jane who inspired me to try TNT and I'll be forever grateful to her for that.
And on and on and on -- but this could turn out to be like a never-ending Oscar winner's speech of thanks. Truly, there is not one person currently in this challenge who has not motivated and/or inspired me.
What from among your competitors in this challenge has inspired you most to continue this journey?
i have found this whole forum incredibly inspiring and i can't imagine doing nrol4w without it. i think i have been most inspired by the weekly motivation/whatever threads. i have also gotten tons out of the monthly photo postings. it's painful to put yourself out there, but it's great to see the results everyone else is having. karen
I'm not much of a competitor, so that aspect of it doesn't mean much to me. I'm more of a support person, and enjoy reading posts from others and being part of a group (though I've been hiding and eating a lot lately )
But I did have a good experience yesterday at the gym I'd like to share. We all know the comments people say about others in the gym who never change....i.e. the cardioqueen who never improves, the lifters who never get muscles, etc. And naturally none of us want to be that person. So yesterday a lady came in whom I haven't seen for a month or so. She always works out by herself, does a hard workout, and doesn't stand around chitchatting. She was doing a pretty heavy upper body workout yesterday (way more than I'd ever do timewise) but now you can really see the changes she has made. I can call her fit and muscular now.
Ah....but at the time I was doing cardio. I didn't want to do weights. I'm tired of having a sore knee, hadn't done cardio for a week and a half, needed to sweat....but didn't want to do weights. Watching her made me remember the comments about doing the workout for how you want to look. Do I want to look like a cardioqueen, or a bodybuilder? And watching her made me realize I need to get out there and do my weights.
Which I did, hard and fast. But I did them.
I'm not really following the plan right now, though I'm still doing the exercises from Stage 2, minus the legs. I'm feeling very discouraged, have been eating a lot....but I'm going to keep at it, at least doing something.
When I see where she stared from and what she has accomplished I get sooo motivated!!!!
Ha! And that's what motivates me - when my story motivates people, that in turn motivates me to excel even more.
The whole accountability issue here on the forum has been a major motivation. Thank you, ladies, for the knowledge and laughs you provide!
You know, the thought that we are competing against each other hasn't crosses my mind It's more like we are competing against ourselves, and the rest of the competitors help each other overcome difficulties.
What from among your competitors in this challenge has inspired you most to continue this journey?
Can I have more than one answer? I can? Good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Natalia
You know, the thought that we are competing against each other hasn't crosses my mind It's more like we are competing against ourselves, and the rest of the competitors help each other overcome difficulties.
Hear! Hear! I totally agree with that. When I see the monthly pictures of everyone, I never think "wow, they are doing SO much better than me". I think "she is kicking some serious ass" and it makes me happy to see everyone's progress. It also motivates me to read the training logs of everyone and see how hard everyone is working. It makes every drip of sweat, every stiff muscle so much easier to deal with, knowing that there are others feeling and doing the same thing.
I also find it hugely motivating that we are a group of women who like seeing muscles develop on us and like being strong. Love that.
I have to say that Jane's determination is very motivating, especially in the diet department.
Picture-wise. In everyone's pictures there is something I notice that I find motivating. Mel, Natalia, Leah and Ms. LoriAnne all have my goal body and reading their stories, what they are eating, their struggles and so forth, gives me that extra umph that I need. We are all going through this together.
Sorry about the book.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
You know, the thought that we are competing against each other hasn't crosses my mind It's more like we are competing against ourselves, and the rest of the competitors help each other overcome difficulties.
Me! I've inspired myself and that is amazing! I made a pact with myself to log on here daily and read at least 3 posts (I don't have much puter time). What a difference having a community (even if it is cyber) of support makes. Big hugs to everyone here for sharing their stories and big hugs to moi for listening!!
I am not a very competitive person but I have loved seeing everyone stay so strong. Having a group of strong, amazing, determined women who are intent on seeing this challenge through is so fun!
This has been a fun and motivating way to stay on a program. I've really been enjoying it. Of course talking trash with Diane and having our little deadlift competition where I let her kick my ass is no doubt helping her immensely Then there's Natalia and mel who have stolen our after pictures!! It's good to see that it works and will work for all us oopma-loompas too if we keep on keep on with it.
I agree that I tend to forget this is a "competition." I am inspired by those whose bodies rock, for sure. The "I CAN look like that if I really work at this" factor is huge for me. But I'm also highly inspired by those of us whose bodies don't quite rock just yet, and yet we put our photos out there every month and trudge on! It's very difficult for me to do that, and I'm sure it must be for others, too! I'm also motivated by everyone's stories and just by having some women to chat with who get it. Most of my IRL women friends are still in the "cardio 'til you drop" mindset, and when I mention weights, they either act like I don't know what I'm talking about, or their eyes glaze over.
Once again although not official, I started same time as the rest of you and have been following you through your logs, and these threads.
Can't say enough about the info provided, the motivation, and the results I see when you post your pics.
I think I've become addicted to this forum and have spend more time at the computer at home than EVER before. My hubby wonders if I have a cyber lover some times...just kidding.
Natalia is an inspiration to me. I see her results and think "that is the direction I want to go". Then I read the boards and read others highs and lows and that what "keeps" me sticking to this. Everyone here is an inspiration to me because without you I would have slacked off or gone easy long ago. So Thank you!
__________________ "I'm growing older but not up. My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck. So let the winds of change blow over my head. I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead."
Honestly, Y'all keep me going. I love the fact that this board doesn't obsess about what you are putting in your mouth and everyone realizes that they have to find what works for them and not worry about what everyone else is doing.
Jane inspires me because as busy as she is still finds the time. That's what I have to work on right now especially with the way my schedule is playing out for the next few month (lots of travel and lots of work).
Diane inspires me because she's hella strong and she finds the time around taking take of 5 little ones. And she's setting an awesome example for her girl that women can be strong not only mentally but physically too.
Natalia - well she's got the body I want to end up with
Toni - Cuz she always comes in to check up on me.
Y'all really help me stay focused on what's important - being strong.
I don't have as much time to hang out here like I would like to because of work, but I am in here reading when I have time.
And now if you'll excuse me, I have deadlifts to do.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
Every single member of the challenge has shown tremedous courage in putting up pictures on the internet and saying I am going to push myself to get to my goals. I am so excited looking at everyone's progress pictures and knowing that all of you are out there and you are not giving up. It has really helped me to know that this can be a struggle for all of us, and we all have our good days and bad days and are in this together.
Jane - You have inspired me with your consistency, your delicious recipes you've shared, and your awesome progress pics.
Ginger & Tracey - You guys are always so cheerful and positive and enthusiastic! Neither of you ever feels sorry for yourself (like I sometimes do) and that inspires me greatly.
LoriAnne - You make me laugh. And your pink bikini is hot!
Diane - You are strong as hell and your determination is awesome.
Karla - You are so crazy into this stuff - how can we not be inspired?
Paula - You have been through so much crap this year, but you don't give up.
Everyone! I love the motivation, the support, and all of the helpful suggestions I've gotten.
Natalia, Leah, and Mel because of where they already are.
Diane because she is strong and because she makes the time to fit it all into her life.
Paula because she is so determined even with all that has happened these last couple of months. I would include UConnJulie here, too, as she's had a lot of roadblocks as well.
Karla with her 'military' attitude toward just doing what one needs to do.
Orangechic and LoriAnne with the bright bikinis and (again) the determination to get it done. LadyNoir here, too, but I don't remember if she has a bright bikini or not .
Wendy has a great attitude about food and her workouts.
Ginger is getting great results and I love her enthusiasm. Susan4 for this same thing, too.
Tracey/dillyt is helpful and a cheerleader for everyone.
Jane because I admire her ability to just make a plan and stick to it.
LisaS has been very helpful in pointing me in the right direction on the exercises.
The people who missed out on the official challenge, too, have been just as helpful and supportive.
I know I could think of something for everyone, but this is far as I got right off the top of my head in the last 2 minutes. I don't think I would have worked this hard to get through this without everyone here!
wow! I want you all to know that even though I can't post lots because of this business (which is really going!!!!) I will see this challenge through to the end. I really have enjoyed everyone's progress, and I am inspired by the beautiful strong women on this board. I have committed to posting my pics and measurements monthly.
and thanks to karen for the shout out about my food and workout enthusiasm. one of these days, I will get my before before pics (at 228) and post here. it means so much to me to be recognized for food and working out, because when I was sedentary and overeating, my attitude about food and fitness was extremely unhealthy.
OFFICIAL WOMEN'S CHALLENGE: Weekly Motivation, whatever thread ... Week 10/26
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Then there's Natalia and mel who have stolen our after pictures!! It's good to see that it works and will work for all us oopma-loompas too if we keep on keep on with it.
"I'm growing older but not up. My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck. So let the winds of change blow over my head. I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead."
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