Great question! It seems like one of my main motivations for doing almost anything is simply to prove to myself that I can do it. In fact, the best way to get me to accomplish anything is to insist that I can't do it. Weird, huh? I think I may have some issues to deal with. :)

My recent interest in running is motivated by something different though... lack of clothes that fit properly. (likely due to the fact that I spend 8+ hours a day sitting on my rear in an office, and 4+ more hours a day sitting on my rear in class or studying) So it is more of an economic motivation - either I can spend lots of money buying a new wardrobe (not an altogether bad thing - I love me some new clothes!), or I can get into shape and fit into what I have, and treat myself to a few new things in a smaller size. I find the second option much more appealing!

Wow.. I didn't realize you did karate! That is amazing... I totally understand the running thing. I was a competitive swimmer through college and found that once swimming was done, I wanted to run. Want and can are totally different stories... I've slowly built up to be able to run a few miles, but if I skip out for a week or two, I backtrack.

Good luck with your black belt test... how exciting!

i love running and i too have motivation problem with this activity. when i was running more regularly (3-4times/week), i would want to run more. now that i run more like few times a month, i don't look forward to it as much. strange. good luck with karate testing, my husband is also a black-belt and he's been doing it for 15 yrs.

Great questions.

I knit as a creative outlet. I've always enjoyed doing things with my hands, so knitting works for me. Beyond that, I find it fascinating to understand how knitwear is constructed. The knitblog community is amazing too; I doubt I'd be so into knitting without it.

As for running, I do it partly to stay in shape and partly to meet a goal. Marathon training gives me focus. Its a challenging, but achievable goal with measurable results along the way. Running partners and a training schedule are invaluable. I was a casual and reluctant runner before signing up for races and following training schedules.

Nice thought-provoking questions! My primary knitting motivation stems from an innate need to *create* - I don't get to do that in a tangible sense at my job and have always had some form crafty output to help with that. Knitting is the latest incarnation of that crafy output,and I think will be the longest lasting and has been the most satisfying.

I too come from an upbringing that made it clear I can/should be able to do anything a male can do. I can sweat copper pipe joints, my dad taught me alongside my brothers, I mowed the lawn as much as they did etc. Its a good way to be brought up I think.

Can't help with the excersise question - its something I've never been able to stay motivated for myself. Good luck on the black belt test, be sure to let us know how it goes.

Interesting subject, what motivates me, hmmm, you know I don't know off the top of my head. I guess overall it's love that motivates me to do things, maybe that's why I have a hard time excercising, love of food and hate of excercise.

I'm going to have to think about this for a while I see.

I find the actual act of knitting relaxing, but the planning, the modifying, the designing incredibly challenging! It keeps me going, simple patterns where I don't have to use the calculator bore me :). I find it thrilling and challenging to make something that's "perfect" - something that looks great and fits well, but I'm definitely a process knitter and have no attachment to the finished objects.

Shrug is looking nice, and I think your plan to graft in the back is a winner. You'll do a nice job on that one, I'm sure.

Why, you've been a busy bee as well since the last time I was able to visit... I really really love your sherbet socks, there is something about the knit ankle sock that gets me all giddy these days! The Ruffle shrug also looks lovely, can't wait to see it on! And as far as knitting motivation goes, I think you hit the nail on the head, it's just so relaxing and enjoyable for me, like a little escape at the end of the day before bed, and the fact that you have these functional pieces at the end is what keeps me coming back time and time again, that whole what can I try next thing, it's always changing and there's always new techniques to pick up...excersize is a little more monotonous, that's why it's hard for me to stick with it anyways, I require a little variety after a while, I could never just run dat in and day out for ever. Yoga is better for me, they change up the routine and the order every class, holds my attention better:)

Ruffle Shrug looks good! It's very feminine.
I knit because it's relaxing, and because I get a lot pleasure out of creating something with my hands. Knitting is also my form of artistic expression. I'm not really an artistic person, and knitting is as close as I get to creating art.

Enjoying the process of what you need to do is key to getting it done...at least on a regular basis. The one thing that has kept me going to the gym is the way my body feels when it is thin and in shape. I never want to have the roll of fat around the middle or pant as I walk up the stairs. Keeping the positive way I feel about my body now keeps me motivated.
In knitting it is the simple process of wrapping the yarn (a beautiful yarn) around the needles and watching the process turn into a useful and beautiful object.
Thanks for a very thought provoking post!

I'm impressed! Karate blackbelt, wow. I have the same problem as you when it comes to running. The desire to be in shape and lose weight (both of which running achieves fabulously) somehow just don't motivate me enough to run. The one summer I did run continuously I had no friends living by me and I worked all day and ran at night. I think I would be much more motivated to do classes with friends around but those are just beyond my budget right now. Knitting, like you, feeds my homebody side. I love being home, but I can't stand not being productive. Plus I love clothes, so this just fits.

Motivation for knitting: because it's something creative, crafty and totally unlike any of my other hobbies.

Motivation for running/cycling/skiing, exercise in general: because I'm competitive and I can't stand to be fat.