What motivates you? Help.

[NMMMAFan]

I am 24 and I am 6'1" and weigh 200 pounds so yeah I am a little soft. I have a fairly high metabolism and In hichschool I was shredded from working out with the football team. But now I have a wife and a mortgage and can't seem to find the motivation to get back in shape.

Anyone have any tips on how to get started on a new workout routine and get back in shape. I would like to start out slow just so I am not completely exhausted all the time.

[MikeMartial]

What motivates me? I don't like to suck, and I don't want to be a fat piece of shit that can't catch his breath after a flight of stairs. I like to know I can kick ass if need be, and I get twisted enjoyment out of watching fear and realization creep into the eyes of guys half my age as I either spar them or leave them in the dust on the trails.

I also have a wife and a mortgage, and I work shiftwork. I have more time than I need, so why drop the excuses? The way I look at it, you HAVE time AND disposable income. Put it to good use, and I don't mean buying a HD plasma tv.

You probably won't find your motivation in others; you have to do it for yourself. Best bet? Join a school, be it BJJ, Muay Thai, Judo, Boxing, etc. Find a style YOU want to train in....not what these forums dictate. Believe me, 3-4 times a week of any of those classes, and your going to feel it. Make it a lifestyle.

[Brandon MacRea]

Competition is my motivator, man. Nothing gets you up for another round of punishment or running an extra mile like the image of your opponent doing it twice.

Mike has given some great suggestions. Join a gym, you won't look back!

[DeadlyHobo]

Find a school where you enjoy training. It doesn't have to be MMA even.

Bonus answer: When I know I need to go out and run but don't feel like it, I watch a Randy Couture fight. Always does the trick.

[IrishAssassin]

joining a school is a great idea...if you are not looking to start mma training... i suggest join a gym - a real gym where there are people in excellent shape - not an everyone is fat and thats ok gym- start lifting correctly -check out strength and power forum - and doing cardio - if you want to start slow on the cardio i have a suggestion that seems to work for some people - go run 10 minutes on a treadmill - two days later run 11 minutes - two days later run 12 and so forth until eventually you are running for 45 minutes or more. feel free to add in other forms of cardio that you'll see on these boards but that is a way of building up cardio slowly

[JRT6]

The only lasting motivation comes from within, you either want it or you don't.

[Rugger12]

get your wife to workout with you, so you can push eachother to be more attractive. ex, she wants you to have broader shoulders, you want her to have flatter stomach. help eachother choose workouts.

not wanting to be a fat piece of shit is also a good motivator. or simply wanting to be a better competitor.

but since im still single my main motivation is that there is always hotter girls out there that i need to take down

example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-_vShQ5nL8

[$uperman]

To be a better fighter and to get stronger.

[nrgizyen]

I feel for you, when I was doing school I had so much energy but after I got a job it kinda drains everything. you have to do something fun something that you will enjoy, I realize the older I get the easier I get unmotivated by repetitive workouts. just try new stuff, if you stick to it for a month and realize you can fit into them high school jeans you'll keep on track. words will motivate you too, so forums like these are great, you can come here and hear about people's success and it'll motivate you.

[Jubacat]

I have a family, work and I go to school.

I have about half an hour each day to workout. (Not as much as I would like, but it something) I work out most days. Keeps me in decent shape.

I do it because I don't want to be a slob. (Plus my wife gets turn on by a good body