Getting in shape/It ain't easy looking this good

So I have gone through various post-high school stints of getting back in shape: passive marathon training, bouts of "Body by Garth", and a few others as well. After being in Florida for almost 2 months, I have lost between 20-25 lbs and still truckin'. So, for me, what I am doing is working. I haven't done anything ridiculously mind-blowing (no procedures or steroids) or unhealthy (smoking or diet pills). Diet and working out is essentially what I have done.

So why am I taking a break between sets up crunches to type? As I have been on this little "get back in shape" journey, I have picked up alot of lessons on the way and thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to share them if anyone cares. I'll use this outlet to share what lessons I have learned along the way either for diet or exercise - may they come from experience, applied common sense, or a nugget of information I pulled from an article I've read.

Today's lesson - Motivation

This is a biggie (thus, first lesson). Anyone can go work out once. In fact, anyone/everyone does. Why did I want to get back in shape? Make this a meaningful reason. For me, I realized I had gained around 40-50 lbs since high school. Granted I was a skinny little weasel, I was super-active and happy with my physical shape. I got up over 210 lb while living in Wisconsin and that was enough. I wanted to get back into good shape so I felt active again. That is about as deep as I will go about me, but the real point is if you have no reason or end point, it is nothing that will last. That was the problem with the previous stints I've gone through before now. A non-meaningful reason would not have carried me through my 2 months in Florida.

Another fierce motivator is the mirror. I rarely use a scale because between weight-lifting and as much as water as I drink (especially when working out) it would fluctuate too much to be effective. The mirror tells me a good story about seeing results. Sounds simple. That's because it is. Again, the stuff I am doing isn't earth-shattering news. It is basic applied ideas.