Motivation to Be Fit

In the past I have only dabbled at exercise.  We have always had a gym membership and I have used it. At one point I even had a trainer (not a good one as it turned out). Still, there was little result from my workouts. The pain I went through at the beginning of this year was a powerful motivator.  Physical Therapy helped me work towards becoming pain free. Through movement and strengthening of muscle I could see and feel results.  It was suggested that I move to a personal trainer when I 'graduated' from therapy and I did.  I now realize that dabbling in exercise will get you nowhere.  It is called a 'work' out, ya know.

The first thing my trainer asked was, “What are your goals?”  My main motivation was to strengthen all parts of my body so that back pain would be less likely to recur.  Aging was also on my mind and I wanted to be able to age well, be a strong woman in body and spirit.  Within a few weeks of hard workouts I could see change and feel my muscles hardening.  I like to think my motivation was mostly from self love but there was a bit of fear factored in.  So many times have I seen older women struggle to stand from a seated position or have a hard time walking a short distance.  I didn't want that to be me. My workouts are now 'inked' in and there isn't much that will sway me from going to the gym at least three times a week. I miss the extra knitting or reading time, but this is an investment in my future.

After four months good changes are happening to my body.  It is easy walk up the two flights of stairs in my home and, while I climb, I can feel my thigh and glutious muscles working.   My core muscles tighten when I move and while it  still feels foreign, it does feel good to have them firming up.  My arms are loosing the flab that had started to form where my triceps should be, and my biceps are beginning to bulge.  It will take about a year to be where I want to be, but motivation continues in success.  I don't want to loose what I've gained and that is what keeps me motivated to continue...that and these pink workout shoes.

Drum roll....the winner of the Shimmer Turquoise Splendor is Krista!

I have so enjoyed hearing from you all. Remember there is still  Lorna's Laces Lullaby to be given away to commenter 7000...perhaps late next week. Thanks for endulging me and for sharing your thoughts on staying motivated while cleaning out the junque. One of my favorite comments came from Liz who walks the path she advocates.

Comments

[Cathy]

Congratulations on your continuing to exercise!! You are an inspiration! I am adding to your numbers of comments so someone can be the 7000th!
I see you have an extreme Knitting image on the side - did I miss what you did or is my memory increasingly getting worse?
I see you worked on that room of yours - I will have to go back and read when I have more time. Work is calling my name now!
Cathy
http://cathyknits.blogspot.com

[Other Lolly]

We joined a gym recently... the only problem is that it does not open until February 06. When it opens, it is going to be so great with classes, trainers, machines, etc. I am really looking forward to it... but until February, I am relying on my daily walk and stretching. I need to do more. Thanks for your inspiration, Margene.

[Norma]

Cute shoes! Me too. I've been really watching what I'm eating this week and have finally dragged myself back to yoga. Got the new outfit to try to entice me to go back. I hope to go back tonight, and hope the attorney I'm working for will get done in time. I think he will.

[elisa]

This post may just be the motivation I need to get my butt back to the gym. Thanks a million, and congratulations to you for taking care of your body and your self.

[Kim]

Great post!! My adult son (23) is coming back to live with us this fall for a little spell. He is a devoted gym rat and I had decided that I was going to sign up at the local gym and go with him when he works out. My reasons for wanting to get fit are similar to yours. I don't want to be one of my heavy and out of shape chubby irish aunts. I want to be able to keep up with my children and grandchildren. :-))

Good for you for sticking with it!!

[Kathleen]

I am getting back into it once school starts. I am...really. But so proud of you!

[Tracy]

Well you look pretty good now, so if you think another year will put you where you want to be, all I can say is I definitely need to get to a gym, you put me to shame!!

[Amy Boogie]

I bought myself pink shoes in the hopes of doing just what you're doing, then I got yself pregnant. I hope to be working out right along beside you (in spirit) soon with my pink shoes on.

[Teri]

The *pink* shoes made me laugh. Grey for me, ya know! :) I have a NordicTrack and have been having it kick my butt three times a week for over five years. I don't enjoy the work of the workout, but I do love the results I get.

[Judy]

Exercise and eating habits are just that.. a habit. Make it your way of life and everything just falls into place. Working out is a terrific thing if you have the time. But for those that don't, keep moving, keep lifting, keep walking. Clean out the junk and processed foods. Eliminate the stuff that tempts you into eating the 'wrong' foods. Sounds like the same old broken record, but it does work.

[Carole]

Oh Man! I never win anything. Love the pink shoes, dude.

[Alyx]

I love the pink shoes.

I am very proud of you for all you have done to make yourself healthier and in better shape. I am now working to get back into the shape I was in two years ago, and it is hard work. Thanks for a post letting me know it is possible.

[Vicki]

Oh my goodness, those pink shoes would help me, too!

[Valerie]

Great inspirational post! I too have been "dabbling" more than actually working out (except for my yoga). Have been toying with scheduling a session with a personal trainer at the gym for Sept. You've given me the boost to do it. Even though I am a physical therapist, I need some outside help.

[claudia]

Indeed. Work outs are aptly named. Nice shoes.

[Chris]

Amen on the value of getting fit to stay fit! I see in my older relatives my own future if I don't take steps now! It's that getting started....

[Snow]

You're so admirable, Margene. I know the areas I need to work on in my life -- largely diet and exercise related -- but I feels so overwhelmed by the day-to-day stuff sometimes that I don't take the time to go for a walk. Positive reminders like yours about how good it feels are far more motivating for me than a nag from the doctor. Thanks.

[Nathania]

Boy, I wish I was half so disciplined about my workouts. I need to get back in the gym. Good for you, Margene.

[Shannon]

Never underestimate the power of a good looking shoe.

[Lisa in Oregon]

Again, that eerie cosmic link Margene...Have you been reading my mind again? Sorta scary...but sorta cool too....cause you are actually *doing* the things I *think* about doing.

Good for me....very very good for me. Thanks for being so "transparent"...I appreciate you.

[Kim/Chef Messy]

And plus, you look great. :) I'm shallow--that's my only reason for exercising, which is probably why I rarely do it.

[Laura]

Motivation to be fit: seeing results. And new shoes too don't hurt. :)

[The Knitting Kit]

I have a Gaiam DVD of Yoga For Weightloss. Now, I know yoga won't help you lose any weight without eating well, but I *love* the workout itself. It really tones those muscles. :)

Good luck with continuing to workout despite a trainer. It's not easy to stay in the routine once you start, but if you consider it like Oprah does, something as necessary as showering every day, it kind of helps. I know it's changed my personal perception.

[Lorette]

Hey, you're not fooling anybody. I remember that picture of your trainer a few months back. It's not the shoes that keep you going back! (Though they are pretty cute!)

[Julia]

Fitness really is a process, isn't it? I've always being fairly active because I enjoy exercise, but when I passed 30 a few years back I realized that fairly active wasn't going to cut it and that I needed to make conscious life-style adjustments to keep the girlish figure I had taken for granted in my 20's and teens. I know from here on out, it only becomes more and more necessary. Although I know it's been work, you've made it look easy, and your efforts have paid off. Not only are you pain-free, but you look fabulous. I can't beleive the changes you've made in just 4 months. It's really inspiring! Keep it up, grrrl!

[Ellen]

Don't get discouraged or lazy and quit if you hit a rough patch, like the flu when you can't work out for a week or so. Keep at it. I've been going for several years now, and even though I've had breaks due to illness or vacation, I force myself to get back into the routine. I don't want to be a "frail elderly" either.

[regina]

Thank you yet again for the inspiration! I actually enjoy working out, but I have to figure out when to do it (a common dilemma, I know). I tend to zoom home straight from work so I can be with my kids, and most days I either work through lunch or go out for lunch meetings. Crikey. Must do it, though. Good for you for sticking with it! you must be so proud.

[Donna]

I wish you continued success in your fitness goals!

[Denise]

What sort of injury did you have to your back? I've been suffering for six years, and still haven't found anything to help.

I really worry what I'll feel like in another ten or so years. My sacral illiac joint moves around, hitting the siatic nerve. Some days are sort of ok, and others, it exercise just to walk across the room.

[Laurie]

What brand are those kickin' shoes? I have such trouble finding comfortable work-out/walking shoes I've almost given up.

We've got to stay in shape so we can live long enough to knit our stash.

[Rebekah]

Congrats on a great committment for a better you. And thank you so much for your kind words about my Abner, I really appreciate it.

[Andrea]

Isn't it extraordinary how much exercise can change not only your body but your life? Over the past year, I developed a new relationship with exercise. I started lifting weights because I wanted to be stronger in my everyday life. I tried to rock climb with my boyfriend, and it felt frustrating and embarrassing to be so weak. Then one day I started running very slowly on a treadmill because I was so stressed out at my job. I'd never been a "runner" before in my entire life. I was amazed that I could do it at all, and over time I was even more amazed that I could keep doing it, get better at it, and even enjoy it. I had always hated running before, because I didn't know how to gradually build up. Running and weight training combined changed my body and metabolism in ways I would have never thought possible. And even though I blew out my knee skiing in April, and have had a long slow recovery after knee surgery in May, I now know that I can get back there again, and exercising with goals in mind is so much better than exercising "because I have to" -- now it's "so that I can run a 5K" or "so that I can try rock climbing again". What a great and empowering feeling! Thank you for continuing to share your exercise journey with us!

[Michelle]

Love your shoes! It seems like cleaning and going through things is a never-ending process with children in the house..lol. If I need motivation, I will often watch an episode of Clean Sweep. It alsways inspires me to never get to that point.
Good luck with your sorting!
Michelle

[empress]

You can do it! If I can get my lazy but into the gym 3 times a week (only for an hour at most), I'm sure you can too! Good luck!

[di]

Fantastic inspiration- your tale and some of the comments. I've been upping my exercise this year- fitness and physical activity have never been my forte, but it is amazing how regular exercise benefits the body and mind. Congratulations!

[Kathie]

I feel the need/urge to strenghthen my core muscles as well...for your same reasons. My youngest child starts preschool 3 days a week this fall...maybe I'll be able to start penciling it and then inking it in, too. Good job.

Kathie

[Michele]

Congratulations for getting/staying fit. I find exercising gives me a sense of clarity and release of stress I can find nearly nowhere else (now if I lived where you live, that may be a different story). Keep on and take care.

[Michele]

oops...one more thing...what I meant was, if I had the scenery you have and the ability to ski or hike in such splendor I might just be set. :)

[Birdsong]

Do you have any exercise buddies to help keep you motivated? I don't at the present, but my sister-in-law just did a fitness challenge at age 60, the oldest participant, but one of the 20 to make it to the end out of a starting 100. I love to hike but also make sure there is walking and yoga almost daily. You have done great to build up to this level of commitment!