I work at the front desk at a hotel. The exercise facility is about 25 feet away from the desk. There have been SO many people who have used it faithfully (ex: soldiers who stay for over a month and contractors who have been coming once a week for years), and I have to honestly say that this is where most of my motivation came from last year. Every time I think about not working out, I think about them. They come out all out of breath and sweaty (and they're in shape!) I want to be like them! I admire them so much. I wish I could tell them. I wish they could see the progress I've made.

Jillian Michaels also motivates me. I never thought I'd say that! I always thought she was a big meanie. Then I got her DVD 'Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism', and it totally changed my mind about her! She means business, and that's what I need...a swift kick in the pants!

Dr. Oz has helped some also. I like being able to catch his show on my days off. I've learned a few things!

Calorie counting (although tedious) has been a tremendous factor in my weight loss journey!

The guys behind the desk at my gym who greet me excitedly every time I go in (which is rare) are always friendly and full of inspiring words.

Stickers! Yes. They are inanimate objects, but I get one on the calendar any day that I eat right and exercise. Only half a sticker for eating right and not exercising. No sticker if I eat badly, even if I exercise! Regrettably (just a little), I slipped up between 3/7 and 3/12, but I am back on track! I love the feeling that I am doing the right thing for my body.

SparkPeople challenges. I need to find another one of these quick! I mess up about half of the time, but the times that I go all out, I go for it!! I need a good one right now.

Gym and Fitness related pages on Facebook. I love seeing the before and after pics on my news feed! It's so awesome.

YouTube! I had totally forgotten that there are so many people who have channels devoted to their weight loss success. It just popped into my mind yesterday. This is very refreshing! I'm excited to take a peek into others' lives over the next couple of days (I'm off Wed & Thurs now) to see what kind of encouragement I can find! I'll take anything I can get right now!

There are others, but those are the ones that have really helped me the most! In case anyone needs any ideas! And it's always good to have something in writing for when I need something to refer to.