Reasons Why I Want to Get in Shape

There is one thing that I have not done before and I feel may be a necessary part of succeeding on this journey.

I have never made a list of reasons why I want to get in shape and be healthy. It's always just been something I want because I don't like the way I look, but it's so much more than that. So much more.

I realized I wanted to make a list shortly after Patrick asked when we could start to get in shape. In normal circumstances I may have been irritated at the assumption that he thinks I need to get in shape, however being so open about my weight loss (and more important, my negative self talk) gives him pretty clear insight into what I may need on this journey.

I've asked Patrick quite a few times if he would join me with working out and eating healthy. Every time we tend to make it a few days together we both end up falling off the wagon.

But this time it was his idea, and I think that's what might make this stick this time around.

So I made a list of reasons why I'm doing this and I think keeping this list visible (on my motivation wall) will help me remember why I want this. I think lists like this are meant to be open and honest, so although some of these reasons may seem vain or unimportant to some, they are mine and no one can take that away from me...

Reasons Why I Want To Get In Shape:

1. To have more confidence

2. To be more comfortable with my body

3. To be prepared for and complete The Dopey Challenge

4. To have more energy

5. To be a better influence on my children

6. So my husband will find me attractive

7. To feel strong

8. To reach my goal weight and maintain it

9. To spend at least one whole day without thinking about my body negatively

10. To want to stand in front of the camera instead of always being behind it

11. To not feel self conscious waving to someone while wearing a tank top

12. To run a mile without stopping

13. To finish a 5K race without stopping

14. So that when my friends from the Weight Watchers boards say they want to meet up for a hike I will be excited to go and not make excuses to not go

15. To be physically healthy to have a baby if we decide to continue our family

16. To have the right eating habits in place so that if we do have a baby I won't gain 80 pounds while pregnant like I did with Isabel

17. To say yes and actually go in every time the kids want to go to the pool

18. To not cry in the fitting rooms while trying on bathing suits

19. To feel confident in a bathing suit

20. To not wonder or care what other people think of my body

21. To not care if my husband checks out other women, because their husbands may be checking me out 

22. To not feel my body jiggle with each step while I run

23. So I will stop thinking people are talking about or laughing at me

24. To start needing to shop for smaller pants instead of larger ones

25. To believe people when they tell me I'm pretty

26. To not hide food/candy wrappers from my husband

27. To avoid high blood pressure (runs in the family)

28. To feel confident to wear the lingerie without spilling out

29. To show my daughter that beauty is more on the inside then the outside

30. So I can finally have an after photo

31. To fit into my little black dress from 5 years ago

32. To be able to love myself, like my husband loves me

33. To believe my husband when he tells me that he thinks I'm sexy

34. To be more positive

35. To get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (from 5 years ago)

36. To handle stress without food

37. To handle happiness without food

38. To have the confidence to do a Boudoir photo shoot for my husband

39. To not wonder if something is going to zip up

40. To look (and feel) good naked

41. To have more patience

42. To be constantly high on endorphins

43. To look forward to my next workout

44. To fit into my skinny jeans

45. To wear a short dress without wearing 3/4 spandex pants underneath to hide my thighs

46. To encourage my husband to keep at his weight loss goals

47. To feel proud of myself for reaching and staying at my goal

48. To get rid of that "what if" pair of jeans because I know I will never be that size again

49. So that I could possibly be a role model for those that want to lose weight

50. To feel confident in a pair of shorts

51. So I can stop feeling envious of thin, healthy women

52. To know that I am worth spending the time on myself

53. To not moan and groan from getting up from the floor

54. To buy cute underwear without worrying about indentations

55. To train in a sports bra and shorts on hot days

56. So that I will take more pride in how I look on a day to day basis

57. To be more willing to try new things

58. To be more socially comfortable

59. To sleep better

60. To sit on my husbands lap without worrying about hurting him

61. To get a massage without feeling self conscious

62. To have the energy to clean the apartment instead of sitting on the couch

63. So the workout DVDs will stop collecting dust

64. So I can watch my body get stronger

65. To notice my body changing

66. So others can notice too

67. To avoid weight related health issues

68. To live longer

69. To see and be able to play with my grandchildren

70. To not have to squat and tug my jeans up over my thighs

71. Or suck in my gut to button my jeans

72. Or wear a larger shirt to hide the muffin top

73. So I can stop thinking the bed is breaking when it creaks

74. So I can focus on some of my other goals

75. So I can stop blaming my lower belly pooch on the c-section

76. To not be self conscious eating in public

77. To not have a section of my body that I dislike

78. To be able to easily think of things I like about myself (both physically and otherwise)

79. To be comfortable being intimate with the lights on

80. To learn how to water ski

81. To learn how to snow board

82. To ride a motor cycle

83. To climb a mountain

84. To have a healthy BMI

85. To not fear the doctor's scale

86. To know that fast food is not the right choice

87. To know that no excuse is worth it

88. To prove to myself that I have the willpower to do this

89. To enjoy myself on vacation

90. So I can save money

91. So I can accept a compliment when someone gives me one, rather than feel the need to deny it, tell him he's crazy, or silently wish I felt the same

92. To make it through any Jillian Michael's DVD challenge

93. To be more comfortable in the kitchen making healthier meals

94. To stop fearing the scale

95. To be less critical and negative about myself

96. To stop avoiding mirrors and windows

97. To take pressure off of my knees and avoid another knee surgery

98. So I can show off my muscles

99. So I can say my weight out loud with pride

100. To love myself