Random Poll: What MOVES you?

"I'm also probably weird in this sense, but I like the pain that comes along with being sore the next day after a good workout. It get a rush from it."

Well, then I'm weird too lol.  I love that little bit of soreness the next day.   This also helps to remind me to change up the exercise routine.  My body gets bored, so in order to get that mild pain, I have to do something a little different or a little bit more intense in the next workout session.

As much as I hate to admit it, the exercise does help with the depression.  I still take meds for depression but I feel like the exercise gives it a little boost.  I envision the little med molecules working better because i'm moving them around in my body more than if i just sat on the couch all day.

Silly, maybe.  But it works to keep me going.

--Becca

I am a lazy person by nature.  Given a choice I would rather spend the day in bed with a good book drinking hot tea. I go to the gym every morning at 9 am.  Every morning starting at 8 am I start making excuses over why I don't want to go.  One of the things that keeps me going every day is that I don't like the way I feel if I don't go.  I am edgy, irritable, and a ***** to be around.  I also feel guilty and start to put myself down.  My little voice that made excuses earlier tells me that I am going to gain everything back and I will never reach my goal.  It is not worth that feeling.

Once I drag my lazy butt out of bed I enjoy being there.  I love the feeling of accomplishment when I have really pushed myself.    I feel good about who I am.  I have started to develop friendships with other members of the gym. The personal trainers and instructors know me by name.   People I have never met before have started to come up to me and ask about how I am losing weight and how to use the equipment.  ME!!  The fat kid that was picked last on every team. 

My greatest motivation is my mom.  I am training to run in the race for the cure this spring. 
I do not enjoy running, but I am doing this in memory of my mom.  She died at 56 of breast cancer.  I had another friend that died last year of breast cancer as well.  She was also only 56.  Every time I start to complain to myself about having to run I remember my mom.   She never once complained.  She drove herself to Chemo twice a week,and continued to work.  My friend that died never complained either.  Every time I think of the fruits of the spirit and the description of the perfect wife in proverbs I think of my friend.  If they can go through cancer treatment with a smile on their face and joy in their heats I can make it through a 45 minute run.

 My motivators: 1) Nature/sunshine and 2) Vanity/ego

The only exercise that really gets me excited is taking a walk around the lake near my house. THe path is paved and just urban enough to keep really dangerous critters away. I get a real peace from watching the geese, seeing the water ripple and being surrounded by trees. Being in the sunshine feels good and gets me some natural vitamin D! Plus it's free..... cuz I'm a cheapskate!

The vanity come in with my exercise clothes. I love them! I'm a designer ***** so anything that puts its label where all can see (Lululemon, Addidas, Reebok, etc) gives me a thrill. (pssst.... no one knows I bought it at Goodwill!!!! ha ha ha). And work out clothes tend to fit tighter and give good lift - if you buy it that way - so it shows off to the world how small I am now. Hence, the ego.

Well, for one thing exercise makes me poop.
my son motivates me all the time. He's 2 and I've made exercise part of our routine. Everyday when its exercise time he lets me know to get my kiester up and start moving. I exercise on my own 4x a week but I know I will be exercising atleast 20mins everyday because of my wonderful son.

 I still have a major problem getting motivated so I have a number of tricks:

1. I sign up for a half marathon and other events.  If I don't train, I can't finish or I finish in a lot of pain.  And I do the Napa to Sonoma every year to raise money for CCFA so from March to July, I'm training with a group which makes it more fun and motivating. 

2. I want to be active for my family instead of watching them have fun on the sidelines.  My hubby is very fit and active and I want to do things with him.  Had the best vacation this summer when we went to the Carribean on a cruise and we did spin classes together, snorkled, sailed, climbed a waterfall, went spelunking and went dancing.  I could move!

3.  I feel so good afterwards, and I love the way my arms look when I regularly lift weights.  Ok, I'm vain too.

5. I remember my father-in-law not moving in his last years until he got to the point where he walked to the curve and fell just picking up the paper because his muscles has weakened so much.  I never want to be like that.

6.  I want to watch another episode of Scarecrow and Mrs. King and only allow myself that when I'm on my elliptical.

5. When all else fails, I repeat to myself a mantra I got from Kendrick Fitness
   " Do something today that will make your future self happy"

my exercise stalled big time. i used to dance jazz and ballet when i was growing up so i finally found a class that does adult jazz, ballet, modern dance, and hip hop. so i am trying out the jazz class now. it is not enough to lose weight but motivates me to lose it so i get better.

What motivates me at this point it is 4 words

Augusta Seventy Point Three!

I have a Half Ironman in Augusta I have committed to this year and preparing for it requires months of work on so many things.

13.1 Running (We all know I do this)
56 Cycle (Haven't done the distance or gotten my bike yet but I do give my time to spin to get in shape for it
1.2 mile swim Nailed this a couple weeks ago now I just have to get better at it and eventually not need a break.

I am confident I can finish in the alloted time but I want a strong Finish as there will be a total of 5 OH people doing this race. 

In addition to the physical aspect you have hydration and nutrition you have to eat right to put in the HOURS of training to accomplish something like this. Yes I now wake up at 4am on saturday to swim 2000-3000 meters (1.25-1.8 miles).

Other motivation are my friends and family both my real life friends and my online friends. To think less than a year ago I was able to RUN my first 5K, I had completed others but had to walk some points, in 33 minutes.  Now I have to do intervals that require me to walk and can do 4 miles in 39 minutes meaning even being forced to walk I am faster and stronger than I was this time last year.  I have friends ask me to help them with their running and have convinced a number of Post-ops that they can do a 5K or a half marathon.

The respect I get from people for the changes I have made to my life is not something I am willing to give up so I continue to do what I do.

Even Last night I had a friend on FB telling me about their cardio session and it was awesome to know that I had some how inspired and helped them get to that point.  Ask anyone on here who is an FB friend and they will tell you that at least 5 days a week you will get multiple posts a day from Dailymile.com about my training. This also keeps me on track because I know if I go long enough someone is going to comment or ask whats up.

My life is what keeps me on track and my life will allow me to be around a much longer time for my wife and kids.

like some others, the feeling after working out is awesome to me! I like feeling tired and sore, especially when it is time to do my farm chores at home. (weird huh?)

I started kind of slacking off going to the gym - life happened and exhaustion overwhelmed me. I kept coming up with different excuses. The only time I was at the gym was regularly was at my scheduled time with the personal trainer.
So I scheduled months in advance. I never cancel with the trainer (unless it is family - my mom is bedridden). I have started 2x a week. Next week I start 2x a week for an hour instead of my 30 minutes (a group personal training).

I cancel on myself, but not with someone else going with me.

(If I ever get money straight I am going to get a bike and ride to the pool to swim... I like those 2 things )

 I exercise to get away from my kids.

Does that sound horrible?

I love my kids. No, scratch--I ADORE my kids. I'm not even a kid person, but my kids rule. They're fun and easy and make me laugh. 

BUT. I've been geographically single-momming it for 15 months, and have 11 months to go. With my children.
By myself.
24/7.
All the time.
Every day. 
Without breaks. 
Or vacation.
Or pay.

SO!! The gym is my escape. They have a daycare with a staff who plays with my kids and keeps them happy so I can swim or walk or show the elliptical who's boss, or even just take a long shower and lay in the sauna and pretend I'm on a beach.

It's my little way of retaining some sanity. 

just got this in my email and thought of this thread

http://www.ivillage.com/mindful-workouts-fitness-motivation/4-b-415683?nlcid=hr|01-27-2012|