what helps you stay motivated?

[SoldAtAuction]

I am trying to get back into shape, lose some weight and get stronger. I have set a weight loss goal, and agreed to do a 5 km fun run this spring with a friend. I am coming off a bad year for illness, so I am basically starting from scratch, fitness wise.
I am using mfp, and so far, I have logged everything. It has only been 11 days, so it hasn't been too difficult. I am exercising more. I have started taking Hapkido , three sessions a week, each two hours. I am also dance or body pump three times a week, for 30 minutes. This weekend I am also starting C25K.
I know I can do this.
I have attempted this sort of thing before, and failed because I didn't stick it out. I know I need to work on staying focused, and motivated, to get through the rough spots.
What things keep you motivated? Is it a habit, or something you work at every time?
I really need to do this right. Any advice is appreciated!

Hmmm well I am still learning to stay on track myself haha but I think the whole point is to get so that those healthy choices and extra exercise becomes habit. So after a while it just becomes second nature to chose healthier foods and walk/ run/ cycle instead of driving everywhere etc. I think if you have to really work on it every time, long term, eventually you'll fail because it becomes a chore and no one likes hard work. I think the key to it is building it into your every day life gradually so it doesn't feel like you are HAVING to do anything too hard to begin with. I started walking more, then walking faster, then walking further etc. Also started swimming once a week, first week I could barely do 20 lengths without feeling weak and tired. Now I'm up to 60 lengths. I think you need to be doing something you enjoy in order for you to stick at it. I LOVE swimming so it works for me, it is good for toning and isn't something I dread every week.

I think what keeps me motivated is my children seeing Mummy being healthy and taking care of herself, not in a selfish way but in a positive way so they know I want to be fit and healthy for them and also it encourages them to keep fit and eat well too.

My main motivation this year is my 30th birthday this year. I do not want to enter my 30s being unfit and over weight. I don't want to look back at photos with my children and realise I looked and felt worse than I needed to. Does that make sense?? Maybe not!

I am also motivated at the moment because our 10th wedding anniversary is next year and we are going on a family holiday to Greece. I do not want to be unfit and unhappy during the trip.

Thanks Stick
I do want my kids to see me strong and fit! It is just hard, day after day, when you are feeling achy and covered in bruises to keep at it.
I guess it is one of those thing that you just keep doing, and one day it wont hurt so much, or leave you so tired!