| | What inspired you to get into shape?Page 1 of 2 (1, 2) | Last year I did the Grouse Grind with my son for the first time. I am sad to say it almost killed me. It took me 2 hours to complete and at one point I didn't think that I was going to make it. Needless to say, I carried on and made it to the top. It was the best feeling once it was over and done but not fun at all while I was huffing a puffing my way up there. We went again and I cut half an hour off my time. I'm really looking forward to it reopening this spring so I can see how I have progressed.
I found that this experience really inspired me to get back into shape. I went through years of depression and have been given every pill that you can think of to try to get it under control. I have discovered that a pill can't solve the problem but will power sure can help. I now go to the gym about 3-5 days a week and find that my energy and general sense of well being are so much better. I still have my bad days but would suggest this form of therapy to anyone.
Hiking a mountain in really bad shape was not the best idea but it sure woke me up and made me realize that I want to do more active things with my kids. If I am out of shape, then how can I keep up now and in later years? I'm now very active with my kids as well and enjoy every minute of it.
Anyways, enough of my babbling. It was a great experience that jolted me back to life. I was curious to hear some of yours. | |
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Max43
| | Joined: 4/10/2008
Msg: 2 | |
| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 12:57:57 AM | My children. I want to be around long enough (and healthy and fit) to hold my grandkids if I'm ever blessed with any.
Myself. I'm given one body and hope that I'm nice to it so I try not to overeat, abuse it with drugs and exercise it because I dislike living with health problems (been lucky so far...).
Whatever activity I choose, I find it therapeutic and it's great to be outside experiencing nature. I have this weird thing about being inside to exercise so I'll hike/walk/jog in the rain. Yeah, stubborn westcoast person that I am...Oh well. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 2:41:12 AM | | Initially I did it for the chicks, weirdly it didn't work out with that girl, but I enjoyed it so much I kept it up. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 3:16:05 AM | The Tellytubbies..........Seeing what being overweight/outofshape can do to you, I thought long and hard about getting into shape. Since I didn't want to turn purple  . Plus, they just freak me out!  . | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 3:35:50 AM | When I was bartending, I would carry cases of beer and empty kegs up & down this impossibly inclined basement stairway. My abs and body were in fantastic shape. Then I started flying a desk (lol) and it didn't take long, and I lost some definition.
I started going to the gym because I was unhappy with the way I looked. I didn't want to be flabby or get old (truth). I wanted to remain young looking and have a great body. Not to flaunt, but for my own self confidence.
My SO was a bodybuilder and I am in no way as ripped as he is (nor will I ever be). He feels the way I do about staying fit, and being active. It's important to be the best you can be. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 5:45:24 AM | | It looks like you got more bang for you buck, Dave. I see a guy and a girl in the picture now. How do you keep up? lol | |
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K-lo
| | Joined: 7/31/2006
Msg: 7 | |
| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 7:06:30 AM | Looking at pictures of my younger (fit) self inspire me to get back to that place.
Looking forward to spending the summer in my bathing suit inspires me to get thin.
Remembering what it feels like to be fit and active, and how exercise spills over into my life by making me feel more energized and confident.
My joy of cooking and eating at home, rather than eating crap food - - it's so much more satisfying to put the time and thought into a good meal than to go through a drive-thru. And it's just an added bonus that it makes for a healthier lifestyle.
And last but not least - I do like to get and stay thin for a man. I tend to get thinner when I'm in a relationship. Other activities might cause that to happen - but when I have a man in my life, it inspires me to look good for him (or keep looking good for him). | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 7:59:19 AM | I turned 32, and started going from a size 5 to a size 7. I was an athlete as a kid for a long time, and as I got older it was easy for me to maintain without a lot of effort, so it woke me up when that started to change. That and obesity being something that I knew would happen with certainty because all the females in my family were, did the trick.
I simply decided I wasn't going to buy a new wardrobe in a larger size. I spent the money on a gym membership, freeweights, yoga mats and DVDs instead of the clothing store.
Eventually, my diet, supplement and exercise routine got a lot more involved based on wanting to keep my cholesterol down and my heart in good shape, as both issues run in my family...and naturally the results themselves motivate you.
Now I am to the point where if I don't exercise within a day and a half or so, my body actually craves it and I get really fidgety. I usually put in at least a half hour a day... | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 9:11:38 AM | I had my son at 19, so my body was resiliant already, but before I had him I biked over 25miles a day and I worked out about 20hrs a week in high school; I had a 6pack and was in great shape; now, I work out for me. When I modeled I did it because it felt great and because I had people to do it with [not to mention a contract that said I had to be in 'healthy condition.'
The martial arts stuff I am doing is for a few projects I agreed to do an it's helping me to tone up, it also helps that it's combatted my migraines an I get positive reinforcement from friends and family [my son is the best reason.. we work out together at times.] Ok.. and seeing the other mom's faces at the pool when I am in a bikini and tey realize I have had a baby doesn't hurt either, lol. Can't I enjoy that?! | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/22/2008 10:12:55 PM | Actually many reasons for me..
I needed to loose some weight and strengthen my abs and back. I also found out that it helped me take care of some negative energy and now I have so much more positive energy. Hope that makes sense.
Currently I am attempting to encourage my children to go walking or to the gym with me, now that is a battle. But they see there dad getting into shape and hopefully they can be inspired.. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/23/2008 4:34:39 AM | Work inspires me to keep my cardiovascular fitness up.
Strength training revolves around a burning desire to strive for better results in terms of strength, power and size.
Martial arts comes from a burning desire to be able to apply the above strength and power in the most effective manner should I ever need to. Or want to. There, I said it. Wee! Not a bad workout in itself, but the inspiration it really for use as a skill.
Inspiration for the fat loss is a desire to carry a little less body fat to make me look awesome for the lady, run a little easier and look after my long term leg joint and general systemic health. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/23/2008 4:42:46 AM |
it's helping me to tone up, it also helps that it's combatted my migraines
run a little easier and look after my long term leg joint and general systemic health.
The more people I talk to, the more convinced that almost everything that nowadays people take drugs to cure can be eliminated or severely fought to minimum if you stay fairly active and eat properly.
I have a boss who just turned 63 in Feb, and she works out a good almost 3 hours a day (she's a bit obsessive with it) and she'll tell you - it totally counters aches, pains, arthritis, headaches, sleep loss, and a myriad of other things that can settle in as you get older. She tells me if she doesn't work out within two days she can't move. She's also an inspiration...no lie she looks to be no older than her late 40s. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/23/2008 10:53:52 AM | | Just living the best life possible is my motivation. It makes me sad to see men/women in my age group with multiple health issues and act and feel 20 years older than they are. The emotional & physical benefits too numerous to list. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/23/2008 12:51:38 PM | for me I was just feeling 'under the weather' and sort of sluggish. I knew I wasn't eating healthy & too much of what I WAS eating!
I started eating right, healthy & not quite as much. Within weeks I felt way better, had more energy and have been eating like that ever since! | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/23/2008 6:13:10 PM | I don't know really. I started to do yoga 5 yrs ago. I did it quite a lot for a few years, now I'm only going once a week. I was dating someone who was going to the gym so he helped me conquer my fears of the very intimidating machines!
Although I love working out, I don't go to the gym regularly. I walk a lot, like to cycle as well and I will sign up for a running clinic this weekend to give running another try (I tried it 8 yrs ago). I'm doing this with friends so it should be easier as a group.
As we age, we have to keep our bodies in good shape, it's very important. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/23/2008 8:48:04 PM | | I saw a picture of myself obese.When I looked in the mirror, I just couldn't see how bad I really was. For some reason that picture gave me the drive to get fitted for running shoes and start running. 4 years later I've lost 65lbs and am training for my first Ironman triathlon. I will NEVER return to a sedentary lifestyle. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/24/2008 12:01:30 PM | My father died 4 years ago from medical complications of being overweight at a young age. After seeing what he went through I decided i wasn't going to go out that way and make him proud.
Also, i got tired of the insults of people being flung at me and not being able to do anything about it, so i made my commitment for that purpose as well.
It's good to know what inspires you so you can keep reminding yourself of why you do it at those times you fee like giving up. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/24/2008 4:47:20 PM | The gym is part of my life style. I not only feel like I'm building muscle, but I'm detoxifying my body. I hit the sauna after and sometimes a little before every work out. I've done it for years and most think I'm a lot younger then I am. I also feel quite a bit the same as I did when I was 10 years younger. I'm not sure, but I realize it will all catch up to me one day. Not sure when, but I will never stop doing what I'm doing.
JJ | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/24/2008 4:47:45 PM | | I look at all the couch potatoes & "nightclub people" that surround me, & decided that I NEVER want to be like that. haha. I wanted an active outdoorsy lifestyle. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/25/2008 2:53:48 AM | | I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad, Uanimosity. Hugs go out to you. I lost my Mom to cancer a year and a half ago and know that it is really hard. I guess that was also a motivating factor for me. I was basically in a rut with my depression and ended up in the hospital. The anxiety was really bad and I just lost my will to live. I had found out that my mom was diagnosed with cancer and I couldn't take it. She already had muscular dystrophy so it was just too much for me to bear. I had to change my meds for anxiety and depression to deal and cope with this loss as I knew it was coming. I was released from the hospital and my Mom did pass away. I spent a great deal of time in bed when I came home and just felt like I wanted to sleep away the pain not just from my mom but a divorce as well and seperation from my kids. I spent about 2 years basically wallowing until I went for the hike with my son. I was a very active and lively person at one time but I had lost all sense of myself. Hiking that mountain kind of kicked me in the ass, so to speak, and gave me a wake up call. I knew that I was out of shape and really can't describe all that happened in greater detail but revealed what I did ,in the hope that it could maybe help someone else. I had not only lost my fitness level, but my will and life that went along with it. I can honestly say that fitness has brought me back to life and I am as spunky as ever. I vowed to my Mom that I would live the best life that I can for her and I damn well am trying. Thanks again and all the best to those who have shared and read this. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/25/2008 6:42:08 AM | | A genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease and the effect my Pops second heart attack had on my kids. Need a lot more exercise though. | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/26/2008 10:12:04 AM | Horrible horrible pain and being so sick I was having hallucinations from pain.....lol. Not funny then, but funny now.
I can't imagine not keeping myself healthy this way. It truly is a "medication" for me.
It's awesome to see the reasons why people chose to get into shape (not everyone did it for the chicks haha!). Congrats everyone! | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/26/2008 3:42:24 PM | | Well I recently started to religiously work out everyday like I used too but not just for healthy reasons but for my children too be proud too out and out being as active as we all can be. Also I have my 20th yr class reunion coming up ( yes I said 20th) . I want to be able to walk in with my head high knowing I that I did something good in my life besides have 4 wonderful children whom keep me balanced and active anyways but I want too tone and scuplt myself back into the sexy clothes I wanna wear for myself. So far its all going slow but I continue too see some progress going on. I walk about 2-4 miles a day do light weights and aerobics exercise. I planning on doing some bicycling too with my older boys this summer . | |
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| What inspired you to get into shape?
Posted: 4/26/2008 4:02:00 PM | My kids. My boys are getting older and bigger and get into it with each other on a regular basis. I want to be strong enough that I can get between them and not get hurt. I want to be around and be a "fun" grandma if I'm ever so blessed as to have grandchildren. And even if I don't I want to do all those things that I've always wanted to do, like own and ride horses, once the kids are gone.
I agree with OP...that having all the energy in the world and a sense of well being in my life is worth the effort. In fact I find I get more done if I take the time to keep fit, because I'm motivated. | |
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