I have been saying for years that I want to be healthier, but I’ve never really done anything about it long term. Instead, I’ve watched my weight slowly creep up, and I’ve become more and more grumpy and unhappy. Everyone has to find their own motivation and reasons for exercising and wanting to be healthier. And a lot of people don’t workout because, frankly (barring a medical condition), they’re lazy. Trust me, I know firsthand. I am about as lazy as it gets. It wasn’t until I stepped on the scale and realized I weighed the same amount as I did nine months pregnant that I really put my foot down.
That was at the end of September.
A mom blogger friend posted something the same week about a special that was being offered by a boot camp she had been attending, The Body Firm Atlanta. I ended up joining for a month, and started the first Monday in October. It has been exciting and difficult all at once. I’m pumped once I actually start working out, but getting myself there is another story. I feel strong (although exhausted) during the hour I’m there, but I am definitely sore that night and the next day. I’m tempted to take the day off some times, but I know that I just can’t. Taking off one day makes it easier to slack the next day, and the next, and, well…..
In the past, any sort of exercise that has caused me discomfort of any sort was one that I just didn’t stick with. I knew in my head “no pain, no gain,” but I kept trying to find some easy way out. Cutting calories is a great way to lose weight, but it won’t build muscle and help you become stronger. Taking walks is a great place to start, but if it’s a leisurely stroll once a month, you probably aren’t going to see any results. Ever.
Things I’ve tried recently:
Swimming: Holy. Hell. Why didn’t anyone tell me how hard swimming is?! I have a hard enough time gasping for air when I’m NOT submersed in water!
Insanity: What was I thinking?! The Fit Test on day one was as far as I got. I had trouble sitting down to pee for days.
Tennis: This should be fun, right? Wrong. It’s fast paced, on your toes, stop on a dime action. That lasted about 2 weeks.
Dance Central: Did you know there’s a workout setting? Yay for dancing! Dancing is fun! Except when you’re doubled over wheezing and can’t catch your breath and your dancing looks like you’ve been hit with a tazer.
Step aerobics: Music and stepping, that’s pretty simple, or so I thought. My face was beet red within minutes and I could hardly keep up. My calves were so sore I couldn’t walk right for days. Step aerobics 1, Tiffany 0.
Couch to 5k: Finally something that’s for beginners! I downloaded it on my iPod and managed to do all of a week. Jogging for only a few seconds left me panting with sharp pains in my side.
Yoga: It looks so calm and relaxing! And who couldn’t use a little relaxation? Wrong. So. Hard. Two days folks. Two. Days. That’s all I managed to eek out.
Bicycling: I picked out a shiny new bike at the store and was so excited to get started. Except my cutesy bike that I HAD to have doesn’t have gears. Have you tried riding a bike up even the tiniest incline with no gears? Legs. Hurting. So. Bad. I almost fell on my face when I got off after that first ride. Or I guess I should say, the only ride.
There are quite a few more activities that I have begun and quit within a matter of days. I made lots of excuses, it was too hard, I didn’t have time, I needed to ease into it, etc. And I’m not even going to begin telling you about the diets and diet pills I’ve tried!
Reality check: It’s never going to get easier, if you never get started.
I am terrified of waking up one day and realizing that I am morbidly obese and unable to do things with my children. I don’t want to have heart disease. I don’t want to end up with diabetes. I don’t want my children to be embarrassed by me. I don’t want to resort to having my kids do things for me because I am physically unable. While I may not be close to these extremes now, if I don’t get it together, it will happen. In reality, no one just wakes up one day and realizes they’ve gained 100 pounds. It happens one day, and one decision, at a time. Little bit, by little bit, those poor choices that we all make add up.
How do you get on the right track? It’s not easy, let me tell you. Find something that truly motivates you. I mean, REALLY motivates you. Not something like fitting in to a bikini next summer, because that’s so easy to dismiss and give up on. Find something life changing. What’s my biggest motivator? I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with my kids in a few years. It may sound crazy to some, but it’s something I really want to do. Could I do it now, in the shape I am in? Um, no. I’d have to be airlifted off the mountain for medical treatment before the end of the first day.
Getting into an exercise routine when your previous days have consisted of avoiding anything exercise-esque is difficult. But you just have to set your eye on the prize and truck along, one day at a time. Don’t say, “I’m going to work out 6 days this week.” Instead, say “I’m going to get up and workout first thing tomorrow morning, no matter what.” And then DO IT. Even if you really don’t want to, kick yourself in the butt and make it happen. You’ll be so thankful you did later. Every day you push forward and make yourself exercise is one day closer to your goal.
I’d love for you to follow along with my fitness and weight loss journey, so click on the Healthy Living tab above to see what I’m up to this week. For more fitness inspiration, check out Kat at I Heart 7, a mom of 5 that has gone from doing nothing to being a workout junkie in only 5 months.
Do you have fitness and health goals that you are avoiding? Don’t wait until New Years, make those changes today! Sound off below about what you’re doing (or avoiding) to make you a better you!
More articles you might find interesting:
10 ways to exercise while playing with your kids
Healthy Living Update: Week 3!
Healthy Living Update Weeks 4 & 5
Healthy Living Update Week 6
I’m SO SUPER FREAKING PROUD of you! I love that you are setting goals, using your blog to stay accountable, and taking charge of your health. You’re doing a fantastic job and I can see a big difference in how much you push yourself even in boot camp. Lord knows it’s not easy but you’re rocking it! If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know. Thanks for the shout out
Kat @ iHeart7.com recently posted..“What I Love About My Husband” – Week 2
Thanks Kat! I am pretty proud of myself too, and I can’t say that I have been in a long time. I am amazed at the difference I have seen in my drive and stamina just in the last 3.5 weeks. I just signed up for a second month of boot camp tonight, and I can’t wait until Monday!
Motivation is the most important aspect for losing weight without this you can’t able to lose weight. I think rather thaan just thinking it is better to make some small changes in your diet and start doing a bit of exercise. Once you get used to this routine then you can increase your exercise time gradually. As there is no benefit of just thinking to lose weight , you need to act upon your thinking.
Thanks for stopping by Ashley! I definitely agree that small changes and goals are the way to go! Often times we set lofty goals for ourselves, like losing 50 pounds, and it’s easy to get discouraged when it doesn’t happen as fast as we would like. And you are right, just thinking about it doesn’t help at all. I was thinking about it for a long time, and I just gained more and more weight. Acting on it, even in the smallest ways, helps to put you on the path to success.
Yay! I am proud of you too! I know it seemed impossible those first few days, and it is still no cake walk, but being able to see results is a huge motivating factor. Losing pounds and inches is nice, and that will come. Being able to FEEL the difference is even more important. Being able to increase the number of situps or being able to actually run around the track when 3 weeks ago you could barely run 30 feet. THOSE are the motivating factors that keep you going back day after day, even when life makes it tough.
Next summer, you and I are BOTH going to be rocking a bikini! (not a motivation, but will definitely be a reward!)
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Thank so much! I am keeping a chart with everything from my situps to my mile times listed, so I can track my progress. I already blew past my goal of jogging a mile by the end of October, and I am now pushing the bar and trying to jog/walk 3 miles for 5 days out of the week. It’s definitely not easy, and I feel like I’m going to fall over from exhaustion, but I know it’s worth it so I push on. That, and I keep telling myself “I don’t want to be fat, I don’t want to be fat,” while I run. Maybe it’s petty and superficial, but it helps keep me moving!
I am a stay at home mom of 4 kids…one not in school yet. I also help in the care of my mom with Alzheimer’s. I have pretty busy days. I am ashamed to admit I am an exercise dropout…several times over. I walked on my treadmill for 45 minutes for 2 weeks. Then I don’t remember what made me stop for a few days…now I haven’t gotten back on it. I think part of my problem is 45 minutes is a big chunk of time at once and I get tired of just walking on the treadmill. I do all this at my house because we live in the country and can’t afford a gym membership. Our house burned down last September so we don’t have all the equipment we used to have. I have a treadmill, exercise ball and DVD Rockin Body by Shaun T. I need to lose 130lbs. I don’t want diabetes (which my mom also has and so does one of my brothers) I don’t want heart issues…that should be motivation enough but i just can’t get into exercising again. motivation seems to be at a zero. Any suggestions or hints to get into it?
Thanks for stopping by Loretta! I think a lot of us feel like we are too busy with life to workout. But it’s so important to take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally. Taking that time to better yourself is good for the whole family. I know it’s upsetting to start and then quit, but at least you know you are capable of those 45 minutes on the treadmill! I knew for a long time that I needed to get in better shape, but I couldn’t find the motivation to do it. Until you have that drive, it can be hard to make it happen. Sometimes you just have to MAKE yourself do it, no matter what. I would suggest doing something as simple as walking for 10 minutes with your little one each day. If they are old enough to walk on their own, give them a bag or bucket and have them pick up “treasures” along the way to keep them interested. One thing I have done is explain to my kids that I need their support in this journey. They are some of my biggest cheerleaders, and always tell me how proud they are of me for doing something to make me healthier. You could also set a standard for yourself that you don’t have breakfast/lunch/take a shower, etc. until you do those 10 minutes outside. Then work up to 15-20 minutes over the next few weeks. Use it as a way to spend time with your little one, and it won’t seem like exercise. I agree that walking on the treadmill can get boring, I honestly would not be able to do it. Walking outside is so much easier for me, as I can set mini goals for myself, like making it to the next tree or mailbox. And then I try to make it to the next curve or something along those lines. If I say I’m going to jog 3 miles, it won’t happen. I just take it a 1/10th of a mile at a time, and go from there. Also, if you walk 5 minutes away from your house, then you obviously have to walk the 5 minutes back, so you won’t really have another choice!
I know 130 pounds can seem overwhelming, but setting small goals makes things much more attainable. Also, if you drink soda or tea, just cutting those out and drinking water can make a HUGE difference! Good luck on your journey, I hope to hear from you soon with good news about your road to fitness!
Finding something that truly motivates is so important in order to stay on track and get started..The bikini one doesn’t work, tried that…
Get Well With Jo recently posted..An Apple Pie Shake That Boosts Your Metabolism
Right? I was chatting with another mom at boot camp last night about how she had to change her mindset and goals once she got started. If you say “I just want to look good,” then there’s a point where you’ll think, “I look good enough.” And then you’ll quit. We have to set bigger goals than that, ones that are truly life changing!
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