Happy Fitness Friday! Today I’m linking up with Jill and everyone else for some blog hop action!
Were you always so good about getting your workouts in?
I get this question a lot. In a word: No.
I’d workout in fits and spurts, then layoff for oh 6 months or so. When I was single, I’d hit the gym: Sometimes before work, sometimes after. But if something got in the way, say I forgot my sports bra or had to be home for the dishwasher repair guy, part of me would welcome the excuse to miss the workout.
When the Caveman and I were dating and before we had kids, we’d workout together. He’s into weight lifting and as a resu;lt I got into it as well. If I chose to run, I’d do that on my own and it was only a mile or 2 on the mill as a warmup. We motivated each other to workout regularly and it was quality ‘couple’ time.
It wasn’t until after our youngest was born and I was hell-bent on losing the baby weight, that I started running longer distances (and carving out some me-time). Once I decided to train for a 10-mile race, dedication for me really kicked in. This distance scared the crap out of me, so much so, that I would not dare miss a workout. My ‘dedication’ was a byproduct of my fear of being unprepared for the race and the physical/mental pain that would cause.
When I signed up for my first half and full marathons again I was motivated by fear of the pain/struggle brought on by being underprepared. Fast forward to now, marathons still scare me…they always will, I think. Proper training has become my trademark. Sure, life backs us all into a corner sometimes: with illness, family obligations, injury, weather, whatever. Once I was happy to have an excuse not to workout, now I take pride in finding my way around those obstacles. Training builds pride and confidence. That confidence spills into other areas of life.
Now, if I miss a workout, I am truly disappointed. Even when I’m not officially ‘training’ for something specific, there will always be 3 weekly runs. Sure they may be shorter and/or easier, but they’ll happen. There will also be at least one strength/core day and some time spent on my bike. It’s become part of who I am.
When did you become/what inspires you to stay dedicated to your workouts? What scares you?
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My parents say I have been active ever since they could remember. I played tball, I bowled, played soccer, softball, did crew for bit, ran track & field, went to the gym all throughout high school, college, graduate school, and now. They also said they don’t know where I get it from as no one else in my family/extended family is like this (unfortunately). I have just always loved sports/being active/etc and I feel off if I have to miss a couple days for some reason or another. I guess it’s just innate for me. I am scared of swimming though. I was supposed to do a half ironman (this Sunday actually), and was even signed up since November but bailed because I never learned how to swim…which would have been a problem, lol. Perhaps that’s a fear I will overcome in the near future…but running is my main love and priority. 🙂
I think when it went from something I had to do because I was trying to lose weight to something that I cherished and enjoyed I really haven’t had an excuse in years because I fully love being active. Now the pushing myself harder part is what I’m working on now!
I started running by training for a half with friends about 12 years ago- it was definitely the fear of the distance that kept me accountable, and then I was hooked! I’ve had no trouble pushing myself to run since, but I do need a little encouragement to get in the strength training. Btw, I think it’s good to have a healthy fear of the marathon!
Lately I have been scared of re injuring my sprained ankle – and I think I am starting to hold back a little bit :/
Having something I’m training for is what keeps me honest with the workouts. 🙂
I am motivated to workout because I feel terrible when I don’t, and it makes me feel strong and confident:) Tri swimming scares the heck out of me!
Im much more consistent when I’m signed up for a challenging race. It is much easier to skip workouts when I don’t have a looming big race. So I guess it is the fear factor, just like you have.
I think my young girls notice if I take a break and so that totally keeps me motivated to keep doing it!
We have always been very dedicated to our workouts, we have had to move things around but for the most part everything gets done. Only injuries and preventing injuries has made us skip a workout completely (or scale back).
I love a good runner story! What a huge lifestyle change.
I’m motivated by the feeling of finishing – if I can finish my run, then I have no excuses for not finishing my degree/work/other obligations. I am terrified of injury, and, my own special crazy, of gaining weight. I wish I could overcome that fear.
I’m like you – the motivation has become easier as I’ve gotten older. In fact I often have to work hard to de-motivate myself when I know I shouldn’t be running. And sometimes even then I still run.
I just blogged about motivation and missing a workout. Ugh!
It all started for me when I started running. I love it so the commitment and motivation is easy [most of the time].
[Fitness, Health and Happiness]