My motivations were a bit different I guess.
So you all know I was the fat kid in high-school (for those who didn't- yeah I was huge back then).
I had always wanted to lose weight, but never got myself into a proper routine until I just one day decided to start jogging.
Went jogging once a week and lost most of the weight. Then I started working out with weights in 1990.
So my motivation in the beginning was solely to get in shape once and for all. Not for anyone else but myself.
However once I started training I cuaght the itch to compete in bodybuilding contests. From there on I had a set goal that I would compete on stage
"one day."
After 18 months I competed in my first show. Came in 5th place out of 19 guys.
So then my motivation and goals went in all directions. I would continue to compete and become a professional bodybuilder. I would own my own gym. Be a spokesman for a nutrition line etc. Lofty goals.
I did my second contest 8 months later. The way the judging went, it looked as if I was either going to win or come in second. I didn't even make the top three. I was devastated.
Over the next year I flip flopped between wanting to compete again or not. I chose not to, and my life took a different path.
Eventually I quit working out completely in late 2003. Didn't touch weights or do anything remotely like exercising for two and a half years.
I finally started up again in mid 2006 because I had once again become pretty fat (not as huge as I was back in high school, but fat none the less).
These days I workout again because I will
never allow myself to become fat again. Much like everyone has mentioned, I workout purely for myself, to stay ahead of my inevitable battle of the bulge, and to stay sexy.
Kevin