I read a fitness tip today that suggested I write down my reasons for wanting to lose weight. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few very shallow reasons from wanting to look good in cute clothes to wanting to look good naked. Really, some variation on wanting to look good.

But hell, who doesn't want to look good? Wanting to look good has never translated to me losing weight and keeping it off. Here's my dig into deeper reasons.

1. My kids. Kids learn by example and teaching them lifelong healthy eating and exercising habits is probably one of the best gifts I can give them. They're not going to care how I look growing up or what advice I tell them about how to be healthy. The things that I put on their plate at dinner, even if it is lots of veggies, means nothing if I am not eating those healthy meals and making exercise part of my life the way I would want it to be for them.

2. Feeling trapped. I am literally carrying a layer of fat over what would be my healthy body. I can feel it in my arms, thighs, belly, hips and butt. Just a jiggly, uncomfortable layer of unneeeded (because I live in a warm climate) fat insulation. My healthy self is trapped and all I have to do to get it out is nourish it with the right amount of healthy foods and make it strong with exercise so it can bust out.

3. Efficiency. I am a sucker for a good lifehack or productivity driver. Turns out, the hot tip from high acheivers is to get fit. Healthy foods and the blood circulation and stress relief from exercise, though seemly steals time away from the day, more than makes up for it in improved brain function/focus and more energy to get things done.

4. Being my best self. I strive for excellence in so many other areas of my life. Why am I neglecting the vehicle that drives me through my life? Probably because it seems selfish to prioritize myself/my health/my vanity over all the other things I have to do. But I can't be my best self with a crumbling vessel. Plus, having it all and not having good health seems like not seeing the forest for the trees.

5. Vanity. Who am I kidding. I have 3 weddings, 2 photo shoots and a husband that shoots daily vlogs. Of course I want to look good. Plus, I'm getting older and I know that the best way to keep a youthful look is to be at my ideal body weight and eat regenerative fruits and veggies.

6. Self Reliance. One of my goals for 2017 is to be self reliant and prepared for emergencies. I feel like an important part of being a responsible adult is being able to survive and thrive under a variety of circumstances, which includes natural disasters. I want to be able to hike with a backpack of necessities if I get stranded somewhere. I want to walk, run, swim, climbetc. long and strong enough to not be afraid of adventures and challenges life may bring. Or that my kids might want to try.

7. Identity. I want to be able to be a person who works out and makes healthy food choices. As something I do everyday and as something as I am and am proud of.

How about you, fellow dietbetter who took the time to read this post? What are you doing this for?