Justification, "YARC"

[windwalker]

We humans are unique in the animal world, we need to feel good about what we do not just satisfied by our actions. A tiger doesn't need to feel anything meaningful about bringing down a deer, just full.

We spend a lot of time with our training, are we really doing good? Or are we being selfish. I know most of you have asked that question, so here is my take:

I'm taking time away from my children by doing my training:

The best way to lead is by example. Yep, being a couch potato, home body will keep you around more, you can do more washing and cleaning and spend quality time watching TV together or eating, or even reading a book together.

Or you can teach them that life is more enjoyable if you really live it. You learn strength and determination by reaching goals. You set the example of the healthy lifestyle. The example you set is the role model they have. Would you rather they feel boxed in by their limitations or feel free to break through their precieved blocks. Getting in the habit of keeping fit as a child will carry over into adulthood. You are teaching them to avoid a lot of illness caused by lack of activity.

I'm taking time from my spouse:

Yes you can be a home body and spend more time with your spouse. You can be couch lizards together. You will be so much more appealing with your soft body than with all those pesky hard muscles.

Or you can encourage your spouse to join you in your quest for living life to the fullest. You owe each other fitness and health. You can spend some wonderful quality time exercising together. Or if your spouse isn't interested in healthy living yet, they will surely love the changes you are making in your figure.

I bet every one of our hubby/wife teams on the WISH site would tell you that their training together has enriched their relationship.

I'm tired a lot:

Yep you can just go to work, come home and relax. Then at bed time you will flip and flop all night and wonder why you don't sleep well.

Or you can fill your day with almost more living than it will hold and be asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

I get sore and sometimes injured:

Yep you can avoid soreness from exercise. You can trade it for back pain, or getting winded by doing small tasks like going up a flight of stairs.

I have a sore butt muscle, oh darn. But I have the heart and lungs of a person 30 years younger. I have a little soreness in my left foot, but I can do anything physically I want to. Nice going into your late 50s feeling like a 20 year old.

I feel pressured to do long races:

You can forget the races and just relax, life is much easier that way.

No one is going to pressure you but your self. Most of us are not going to win the Disney or any other half or full marathon. If you decide to do one do it for your own reasons and not someone elses. Do it at your own pace to. Enjoy the experience, don't make it an ordeal. But you can lead a healthy lifestyle and never do races. To me the races are the rewards we give ourselves for sticking to it.


Bottom line, you want to be the best, but also the happiest, person you can be. If living a healthy lifestyle enriches your life, then it's worth it. But if you feel it's keeping you from being happy then stop. It's your life and your decision to make.

"YARC" Panda

 

[Scott H]

Well Said, Here Here

 

[windwalker]

Well Said, Here Here

Thanks Scott.


Opinionated Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Amen to that Panda.

I lose time with my kids: I either take mine with me on bike or on foot, or I run during their practices.

I lose time with my spouse: Heck, my DH works for himself and is home less than I am!!! I rearranged my schedule so I have time to get my workouts in and have time to do a little housework before kids get home.

I am injured/sore: Price of doing business as far as I am concerned. I can't do diddly right now (getting better and thanks for the ) but I still WANT to. Saw a saying that said "if I didn't run, you wouldn't like me". Nuff said.

I am tired all the time: Hey, I am a mom, I am tired all the time anyway!!!

I feel pressured to do races: I LOVE the races. They set goals for me and make me get out there and get er done!!!

I lived my life without exercising for about 7 years and was miserable with myself, my life, my everything. Not worth it as far as I am concerned. Stay smart, stay healthy!!!!

 

[windwalker]

Lisa, that's wonderful that you get your children involved in your training.

I to took a 7 year holiday from training, after I retired from the military. I missed it terriblly as my waist swelled and my fitness declined.

We live in an area with a preventable disease rate that is epidemic, with 60 percent of our population over weight. They grow a large portion of the nations tobacco right here, isn't that peachy.

Trying not to be Soap Box Panda

 

[princessrunner]

I think you look great on a soap box, Panda.

My kids spend more time outside than in. In fact, right now at 8 a.m. in 19 degree temps, they are ice skating!!

 

[escape]

Panda Dave - I look forward to your "soap box" inspirations. They keep me going when I start to question my sanity.

These running events force me to train. If I didn't have these carrots dangling over my head, I probably wouldn't exercise. I'm not good about just doing for the health of it although I'm getting better at it. Thanks for giving us a boost every now and then.

 

[windwalker]

Panda Dave - I look forward to your "soap box" inspirations. They keep me going when I start to question my sanity.

These running events force me to train. If I didn't have these carrots dangling over my head, I probably wouldn't exercise. I'm not good about just doing for the health of it although I'm getting better at it. Thanks for giving us a boost every now and then.

Susie, I bet your hubby is really glad you keep at it. He has a beautiful strong woman to snuggle with.

Smiling Panda

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Dave, well said!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I hope you don't mind; I quoted you on the other side of the WISH forum to try to encourage someone trying to get out and start exercising.

I think your comments have great merit for all levels.

 

[windwalker]

I hope you don't mind; I quoted you on the other side of the WISH forum to try to encourage someone trying to get out and start exercising.

I think your comments have great merit for all levels.

Sweet Lily, our forum is here to help each other over the rough spots. I'm glad to help in any small way I can. I get back much more encouragement than I cna ever hope to give back.

Team Panda

 

[corinnak]

To me the races are the rewards we give ourselves for sticking to it.

I never would have believed it before I started - a race sounded like WORK, but really, it's a big party on foot, isn' it? Work, too, obviously, but absolutely a reward as well.

Thanks for posting this - your refutations for all that depressing negative-self-talk are all right on the money.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Thanks Panda. There is always an excuse not to run. There are even more excuses not to train or to race. Training requires sacrifice and sometimes the sacrifices are not even yours. Some days are easier than others.

When I missed my son's championship game (because I was running) I felt like the worst mom in town. When it took an extra hour for me to pick up a sick daughter from school (because I was running) I felt like the meanest mom in town. When I go to WDW without my kids (because I am running) I rename myself Cruella de mom.

Then I finish a half marathon 30 minutes earlier than expected and my kids act like I won the entire race. They are so proud of me. How many kids are proud of their mom like that? Even if it only lasts a few minutes.

Then my daughter asks me to run a 5k with her. We run and she says to me "I want to be a runner like you Mom." There are no words to say. I can't even type that without tearing up. Does she know the gift that she has just given me?

Then I catch my kids taking their friends into my room to sneak a peak at all the medals in my bedside table drawer. It's a dirty little secret and they whisper in awe. I could hang them in the hall for all to see, but this is so much more satisfying.

Some days are easier than others.

 

[windwalker]

I never would have believed it before I started - a race sounded like WORK, but really, it's a big party on foot, isn' it? Work, too, obviously, but absolutely a reward as well.

Thanks for posting this - your refutations for all that depressing negative-self-talk are all right on the money.

Thank you.

I have had everyone of those thoughts and had to make myself believe that my life is mine to live and I have to take responsibility for me. If you buy into the "Traditional" line of thinking we would be like the rest of the 60% of our nation that is obese and at risk for either dying young or being a burdon to society.

Healthy Panda

 

[windwalker]

Thanks Panda. There is always an excuse not to run. There are even more excuses not to train or to race. Training requires sacrifice and sometimes the sacrifices are not even yours. Some days are easier than others.

When I missed my son's championship game (because I was running) I felt like the worst mom in town. When it took an extra hour for me to pick up a sick daughter from school (because I was running) I felt like the meanest mom in town. When I go to WDW without my kids (because I am running) I rename myself Cruella de mom.

Then I finish a half marathon 30 minutes earlier than expected and my kids act like I won the entire race. They are so proud of me. How many kids are proud of their mom like that? Even if it only lasts a few minutes.

Then my daughter asks me to run a 5k with her. We run and she says to me "I want to be a runner like you Mom." There are no words to say. I can't even type that without tearing up. Does she know the gift that she has just given me?

Then I catch my kids taking their friends into my room to sneak a peak at all the medals in my bedside table drawer. It's a dirty little secret and they whisper in awe. I could hang them in the hall for all to see, but this is so much more satisfying.

Some days are easier than others.

If you were not a fit and healthy example, your son probably wouldn't have been in a championship game, he would have been sitting in front of a video game.

We can not except our children to do as we say if we don't do it ourselves. A parent who takes the path of least resistance raises children who take the easy path and not the paths you have to earn.

You are doing great and it's wonderful when you get such positive feedback.

Cheering Panda

 

[sassparillo]

I do feel bad sometimes when I have to leave to go walk and my 2 year old daughter is crying...but then I think about how much she'll be crying if I die early from some stupid fat-related disease. Plus sometimes a mom just needs a break

And skipping housework? Hey, anything to get me out of housework is a GOOD THING

 

[windwalker]

I do feel bad sometimes when I have to leave to go walk and my 2 year old daughter is crying...but then I think about how much she'll be crying if I die early from some stupid fat-related disease. Plus sometimes a mom just needs a break

And skipping housework? Hey, anything to get me out of housework is a GOOD THING

Just remember you are saving your daughter the issues that go along with carrying extra weight, both physical and mental. You can expect her to follow your foot steps, be they on the road to a healthy life style or to the couch.

Cheering for you hanging in there Panda

 

[Steffwalks]

Although I haven't been doing too well in the training area....I LOVE training. I love the races.....One the things I love most is discovering the challenges unique to each race. I love pushing myself beyond what I ever thought I could. I ain't no dinky twinky, but I am avoiding some nasty deseases. But most of all, I enjoy the looks on people's faces when they try to keep up me!