What helps you keep your motivation up?

[bubba73]

There are a lot of us that are on the teams here on WISH that have taken our exercise/fitness routines to new levels since this past February. The stuff that has been accomplished by this group (whether you are on a team or not) has been nothing short of remarkable. We have done more walking, running, biking and lifting in the past 7 months than we may have done in the past 7 years!! The dedication, encouragement and cordial fellowship that we have been having with people that we may have never met face to face is astonishing. How can this be done?

Well, I have a thought on this matter. It is done because we have a couple of things in common that most people haven't thought about before. 1) We have a sincere desire to be as healthy as we can be. 2) We thrive on competition of any kind. And 3) We all have a love for a Mouse!!!! When you put these things together, of course we will be able to make this work.

But do we have a breaking point? Can we continue on this torrid pace? Is there a point that we loose focus of what our goals are? Our motivations? Do we let the little stuff become big stuff and talk us out of doing our exercise routines? Lots of questions that only you and I have the answers too. I have been feeling a lot of pressure myself from work and groups that I am a member of to cut down on my training to spend more time doing my job. And there have been several times that I have been "talked" out of doing my exercise. I say that and will also say that I have reached fitness levels that I never thought possible for myself but I still find it hard to keep my motivation up at times. And I am one of the most competitive people I know.

So to finish this, what is your motivation? What helps you stay on track even when the rest of the world is trying to hold you back? Any insight is appreciated because I can guarantee that you may have a thought that someone else hasn't had yet and it may be exactly what they need to get over that hump.

Thanks everyone! Keep Inspiring the Teams to Success!!!!
Bryan

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hey Bryan...
This use to happen to me at work. I usually go do my walks after work on Tuesday and Thursdays. people at work were always trying to talk me out of it to do something else. I would cave in from time to time, but I always found a way "somehow" to make up the walk. This took about a year and then they stopped. I think they finally saw that this was a very important thing in my life and now they will ask, but I usually pass. I will keep all my coworkers up to date as to my progress after I do a race and thank them all for their continued support. I will also try to make it a point to support my coworkers who are involved wtih other things as a way to give it back.
It's tough and not easy, but with some grit and determination it can get done. I think I just always have my "traning" in mind for another upcoming event. I really don't have any races planned until Jan 09, but I have logged my training for it in my journal, so I ready to go when the end of this month comes and it officially starts. Until then, I am keeping the same days as walk days, I go for the miles that I think I am comfortable with and leave it at that. (I came home sick from DL 1/2 so just keeping it simple for now.)
You guys and my weight/exercise goals keep me motivated.

Tracy

 

[wtpclc]

Having dh as myu partner helps a lot, as we help get each other going. Also, we have ot have a full marathon once a year looming over us to keep us on track.

Little races in between help lots too. lol, when did I start calling halfs adn tri's little?

 

[joan4mickey]

What motivates me? I love to eat and hate to gain weight so my motto is "I run to eat." That's my motivation. Actually I'm new to running (started this year), but not to exercise. Running allows me an hour or so to listen to my favorite music, think and clear my head. Other forms of exercise like videos and classes don't allow me to spend time just with me. Byproducts of running...my adult kids are amazed at what I have accomplished and it has earned me one trip to WDW.

 

[MomofCKJ]

I am new to exercise completely. I started in January of this year and have been faithful to it I am proud to say. This alone is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I was always someone that in the past would say she would exercise, last a few days, and then lose interest.

What keeps me going is that I love Disney and I committed myself to this race at first just to get myself another trip. But I am doing this with DH and our best friends so I feel like I can't let them down either. Having the 4 of us do this (the Half) together is just a really cool thing and means alot to me.

I also like what I am seeing in the mirror. My almost 39 year old body toning up and I'm feeling like I'm screaming towards my 40s in my best shape ever! I never imagined that would be the case but it is great to feel so good, not as tired, more energy throughout the day, etc. I love that my 6 year tells people "My Mom's going to run a Half Marathon". I never in a million years thought I'd hear that come out of one of my kids mouths.

I'm doing something that I never, really never, thought I would or more accurately could do. And that is what I think is keeping me going. I keep proving to myself that I can do it. Every time the run is a bit longer it is so cool because 9 months ago, I seriously couldn't run to the end of my street.

Allyson

 

[windwalker]

Interesting topic Bryan. There comes a point in your life that you have to define who you are and what you stand for.

I was in very good shape for most of my life, health and fitness were part of who I was. I wasn't an in your face militant about it but it was just a part of who I was.

When I retired from the Air Force, I stopped exercising and let my wonderfully fit body and mind slip into what I realize now was a mild form of depression. I wasn't a warrior any more and I was searching for who and what I was.

Seven years later, fat, old and in terrible physical condition, I turned 50. I think that was the slap that woke me up and made me realize that I was still the strong warrior inside and needed to bring my self back from the abbess and start living again.

Now I have regained my body and mind, I'm happy and healthy and much younger than I was almost 7 years ago when I turned 50. Now my passion is living again and giving a hand up to anyone who needs one.

I walked away form a 60 to 70 hour a week job and took a pay cut to go to a job with me time. I was tired of selling my mind and body and my sanity to the highest bidder. I'm not for sale anymore to anyone but myself and my pretty princess. Now work is scheduled around my life not the other way around. But you know what, being happy I've done so well at the job that I'm making more money now than I was at the other job and working half the hours.

Sorry about getting long winded, anyone ready for a beer at the Boardwalk Brewery?

Happy Panda

 

[bubba73]

I love these stories of truth and motivation. This is exactly what I was hoping for. I know a lot of us have been getting tired, hit by a wall or just been interrupted from something that really is a passion for us. Example: I am usually supposed to get off work at 4:30 everyday so I can get my workout in and still get home to spend time with my kids. Today, my co-worker called out and I couldn't get anyone else to fill in for her so I ended up working a double. I got home less than 45 minutes ago. I was more tired after those extra hours at work than I would have been if I stayed at the gym for 3 hours going as hard as I can go.

Then, there are some that would rather die than miss a workout. Yesterday was my brother's 40th birthday. They were going to go out to Outback Steakhouse to celebrate. Instead of showing up to help celebrate, I went to the gym and did another 75 minutes worth of cardio. (Plus, they were meeting late and I wasn't able too stay out that late.)

We all have things that motivate us. I just thought it would be a great idea to share them with all of us so we can get passed any hump or lull that some may be experiencing. Also, it can be very beneficial for us also to remember why we started because we all get to that point. This will help us get passed that.

Thanks everyone. Keep up the great work and effort. You guys are awesome!!

Bryan

PS: Sorry Panda for going off on a mild YARC of my own.

 

[thndrmatt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sPw_yUeD7M

 

[MomofCKJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sPw_yUeD7M

That is great! I had not seen/heard that before, love it!

Allyson

 

[bubba73]

Thundrmat That was awesome. I just wish that they had clips from The Biggest Loser! That would have been extremely inspirational to see the changes that they have had on that show.

Thanks for sharing!!

 

[wdw4us]

Love the song, may have to put that on my ipod.

BALANCE is hard to find when training and your life, job and family come into play. There are some weeks at work I'm just wiped, some weeks at home are filled with commitments and some weeks are full of training.

I have a commitment at home this week that is preventing me from training so I remind myself that Tuesday is coming and so are my miles. I see in my monthly totals exactly how my home/job affects my miles and other months that my miles are great and I know my other passion has suffered - quilting. I have a lot of ideas in my pea-brain waiting to be executed but the hours of walking prevent me from sitting down and actually doing something. Some days I get blue and Mark will send me to my sewing room. Some days my head will ache from lack of exercise and Mark will push me to go for a walk knowing full well that it is the best thing for me when all I want to do is go to bed and rest.

I have tried for 2 years to balance all the things I love and it's still hard. I don't think there are any easy answers but I know having a team to consider is a great reason to go out and do miles. A deadline for a quilt is also a reason to sit and "work" at it. (its not work for me )

Thankfully after almost 34 years of marriage, Mark can see a lot of what I need and will suggest - sometimes forcefully - that I need to do whatever, at times it works, other times I give him the eye.

I also have a great support system at work with a co-worker who also trains, a massage therapist who is a spinning instructor-personal trainer. All these people in my life who's brain I pick for help/suggestions. Surround yourself with good people, make changes if necessary.

Good luck and for me if I"m getting a bit bored with my routine, I download some new tunes - Proud may be my next one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA

denise