When it comes to exercise I’ve realized if I don’t have a serious fitness goal I won’t be motivated to wake up early or do a full workout. What motivates you?
For the past 3 months I’ve been in an intense power weight training/aerobics class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5am at the gym that I pay extra for (smart move, if we pay, added incentive to show up) with Michael Banks, but at 4:30am when my alarm rings I have to seriously wonder, is this worth it? When I was training for Mrs. Utah I had added incentive/fear-based motivation, but now, “maintaining” isn’t as motivating. So I’ve had to dig deeper and ask myself what truly will keep me motivated FOR LIFE. I don’t want to regress or lose what I worked for!
Recently I was looking around the 5am class and wondered, “what is motivating them to be here?” I wish I could interview them privately. Real Simple June issue had a reader poll, on the very question so when I discovered it this week I enjoyed reading their responses. I particularly liked the ones that were more about how exercise makes them “feel” rather than how they “look.” I read another article recently with actress Kelly Rippa who said that she’d recently transformed her body though a body sculpting class and said yes, her body is in the best shape of her life and she’s grateful for that, but she’s trying to just love her body for what it does for her and not what it looks like. I appreciate that.
Several years ago I was assistant and Publicist for 60-something Mary Louise Zeller, 5th don Tae Kwon Do international champion. While I worked for her I fell in love with Tae Kwon Do and she taught me to never believe that the body has to “age”, she does more push ups now than she did at 47, and she’s living proof that the body can be strong and fit no matter what. But she is always working for the next competition, the next challenge, the next…goal.
So here’s mine: My long term goal is to be able to run a 5k whenever I want and look like I can as well. My short term goal is to complete my 2nd 5k this Summer. How I will do this: Keep attending my T/Th workouts to increase stamina and strength, and continue weight training with Liz Rosenbaum 1x a week to learn more about how to train properly and increase my overall fitness. When I run, particularly in nature, I feel free, I feel joy, and I feel my body and spirit are in perfect harmony, stress decreases and peace increases.
Your turn. What motivates you to exercise? Any fitness goals you wish to share?
Exercise for me is crucial. There are so many things in life I can’t control. I am beginning to panic about sending my oldest child to kindergarten next year. But I find I am in charge when I exercise. I am the one that decides not to push snooze on the alarm. I am the one that pushes those couple extra miles. It is about me and my watch. I am training for a triathlon in July and the St. George Marathon in October. The goals are crucial. But so is my Garmin. I feel the results emotionally, spiritually and physically when I exercise. I love it.
BTW-The article is great in BQ!
NOTHING ! LOL !
It is 11:10 pm and I just got back from a 5 mile run, so I thought it would be appropriate to comment on this post. When it comes to exercising, everyone is different. I hear some people say how they don’t like it, but I feel like I can’t live without it. It really helps me fight depression and release stress. Besides, I can’t stand it when my clothes don’t fit right or when I don’t have muscle tone. Call it pride, but I also want to look good, strong, and fit. It make me feel better inside and out. THAT’S my motivation. My workout for years has been to run 2 miles at the gym on a treadmill and then weight train for 40 minutes. But right now I am really craving being outdoors so I am running. I decided to have a goal…something to work towards so I’m going to run the 15k Freedom Run on July 4th. Then, I think I’ll do the half marathon up here in Cache Valley in August. Because of my knees, I’ve never done such long runs, but it’s personal now and I REALLY want to find a way to accomplish it.
Kelly, I don’t know how you get up so early. I can’t stand getting up early in the morning to exercise. I’m tired, weeker, and dread the whole thing. At night I have more energy and in the cool night air I feel like I can run a lot farther. I am finally at that point where running feels good and sometimes I even look forward to it. It also helps to have a couple different running partners. Sometimes 1 person can’t go, so you call up another. Tonight I ran with 4 other girls in the neighborhood. Keep it up Kelly. I need you to motivate me too!!!
What motivates me to work out is feeling healthy. I love feeling sore after a long run rather than feeling sore because I pulled a muscle from NOT working out. I love to run, It has always been something that I have wanted to get more into. I recently went to runnersworld.com and mapped out a fitness plan for myself. I want to be able to participate in marathons. That has always been a dream of mine and it is time to make that a reality. I am tired of wishing and dreaming. I get great ideas and then a couple days later I push them away. I want to be able to tell people that I run and it is my passion. Some many friends and family have things they are great at and me? I never have anything to talk about! That is all about to change. Here I come marathons! LOOK OUT
Ashley, how far do you run for your daily jog? Where do you live? If you enjoy running so much and don’t have knee problems, you should definitely go for your marathon goal! Start by working your way up by running in local 10k’s, 15k’s, a 1/2 marathon (like the Top of Utah one that I’m working towards) and then a full marathon. This time of year, there are runs to participate in all over the place. I look forward to mentioning in my next Christmas newsletter: “This year I ran a 15k and a 1/2 marathon for the first time in my life!”
Go for it!!!
Deb (is that okay to call you Deb?), I currently (until the end of July) live in Rexburg, Idaho. I am moving home to Montgomery, Alabama though. I have been doing pretty good at running about 2 to 2.5 miles a day, but stopped because of work and homework recently. I have been looking around at some marathons recently. I have found some in Tennessee and North Carolina that I might perhaps try and look into. I will probably look into it once I get home also to see if there is anything like that around where I live. I sure hope so! My older brother also told me he is interested in getting into running as well. He has just recently stopped smoking and is getting his life on track. He really want to become more healthy and I also see this being a great opportunity to become even closer than we are
Interesting question : )
I’ve worked out consistently for over 20 years. My answers may be different from others because I’ve always enjoyed training rather than competing in sports.
My overall goal is life long fitness. The fact that one day this body will return to the dust helps me to have a long range perspective.
What motivates me:
-my pants being lose
-having the energy to do the things I want to do
-being able to work all day without getting tired
-having strength to do things others can’t (moving furniture, groceries, etc.)
In my workouts:
-gaining strength
-gaining muscle
-losing bodyfat
-gaining energy
-gaining stamina
One thing that has dramatically improved my workout consistency is setting a goal to get all 4 of my workouts in each week. But more importantly, having a reward for achieving that goal. For me, it’s as simple as renting a movie.
“I don’t live to workout, I workout inorder to live”
My first thought was to joke and answer… The Mirror!!!
But upon reflection… pardon the pun, it’s more of reminding myself to be healthy for myself and my family. It’s so easy to just sit and watch television instead of going out for a run.
Thanks for the great post!
Hello all,
I’m currently researching various weight loss programs and courses.
So, if you don’t mind please answer in this topic: What’s your single most important question about weight loss?
Cheers, JD
Its great to hear stories, but for me it;s been just a month that i have started doing exercise after a long lay off.i do 20 minutes of interval training on the tread mill, 20 min of weight training and 1 hour walking five days a week My goal is to lose 50lbs in a year’s time. I have also started controlling my diet.. I hope to achieve my goal and remain motivated to do so