What I like most about exercising is silencing that nagging voice in my head that was ALWAYS there saying, "You need to exercise. You are in horrible shape. How do you expect to lose any weight? You're gonna have osteoporosis like your mother. You need to firm up that butt. Your muscles are wasting away. All you do is sit around....." :blabla: on and on ad infinitum!! FINALLY, it is quiet. No amount of sweat or pain is too great a price for that.

Silence is good.

What I like most about exercising is that I actually CAN exercise. I have severe osteoarthritis in my whole lower body, and always thought exercise was impossible, but I have been amazing even myself lately with just how much I can do. It feels so good to actually accomplish something like that. I have started weight training and I absolutely love it. The enorphine rush after a good workout is nice too. I never knew what people meant by that, but now I do!

Terry & Connie,

I need to get on target...I have shut out those little voices and I just don't exercise...I have a great treadmill, but I get so bored with that....I have lots of weights to work out with, but again, I get bored with it...I need to listen to those little voices and get busy....You both have inspired me to get up off my butt.....I will walk on my treadmill before the day is done...and I will work out with my weights...thanks for the inspiration....

What I like most about exercising is the "high" I feel walking out of the gym, knowing that I did it! I once filled out this survey asking, "When do you feel most beautiful?" My response, "When I am walking OUT of the gym!"

Great thread Terry, this is the last week of my second job!!! No more excuses!

I use the accountability idea by Dr Phil.

I used "no TV until my exercise is done".

Good luck ,

edie

What I like most about exercising is the "high" I feel walking out of the gym, knowing that I did it! I once filled out this survey asking, "When do you feel most beautiful?" My response, "When I am walking OUT of the gym!"

Great thread Terry, this is the last week of my second job!!! No more excuses!

HA!!! I don't think I can say that! I am sweaty, stinky and my makeup is running because I've forgotten to take it off prior. Sooooooo pretty!! ....but I DO know what you mean!! I "feel most beautiful" when I can do it in the mornings and get it out of the way...then can look forward to the rest of the day knowing that obligation is behind me!

I use the accountability idea by Dr Phil.

I used "no TV until my exercise is done".

Good luck ,

edie

Now, Edie....that is a great idea. I would have to substitute LBT in there instead of TV, though!!

Me too, no LBT until my exercise is done. That would get me up and moving. I have a workout buddy, and she and I will be at the gym at 5am tomorrow. That is when I usually go, but have been too lazy lately. I worked out all the time preband, even did 100 crunches a day. I will let you know if I made it. I won't want to look like a fool and "not" go now, that I've posted it...so I guess I have to!

Terry, great thread! HAHA! I'm taking that accountability advice!

I totally know what you mean by the endorphin rush although I never thought it would actually happen to me. I find now days I actually look Forward to going to the gym (crazy as that may sound!). I miss it if I dont go. I think its pretty nutty but I do like the way I feel after a good workout. I used to just get totally grossed out with the sweat (I man sweat, pretty disgusting really) but now I wear it as my badge of courage.... another day done in the gym.

My favorite thing about exercising is feeling in control. Even if I've eaten the wrong things, which I can't always control for myself, if I exercise, I'm still in control of what's going on with my body. I'll never weight 358 again if I run 20+ miles a week.

i like Julie's answer of being in control - a lot!!

i also like being able to push myself ...

initially going on the elliptical for 1 mile ... getting close to a mile, then pushing myself to 1 1/4, then 1 1/2 and next time i look down i am at 2 miles - so very empowering!!

I agree with Julie, its a control issue. I love that no band has made me do this, that I have transformed myself from if not a couch potato, certainly sedentary into an "athlete" of sorts. I love that I have total control over this area of my life, Just Do It is a great motto and I do just do it. I dont let things get in the way, I value it and put it first.

That makes it MY time. I've had troubles with my DH wanting a slice of the action. He sees the benefits and wants them too but leans on ME to make it happen for HIM. He wants me to run with him becuase he doesnt want to go on his own, he wants to enter fun runs with me but then is too wimpy to run through a bit of minor discomfort and short windedness to make that fitness happen. I got very narky about it and in the end told him this was MY thing, for ME and ME only and if he wanted to do it he had to push himself, make his own challenges. I'd love to have a fun run buddy but I am not responsible for making sure he gets fit enough to do it.

I love that running is something that people are a bit in awe of, like I must have a special determinedness to have made it happen, to have gotten to this point. I am like that, when I set my mind to something I generally do it and I do it well and I'm proud of my fitness achievements.

I love the headspace, thinking time and the mood lift it gives me. I've been under a lot of stress lately with some big life decisions and also doing teaching rounds so out of my normal routine and the running suffered. I had a very slack week or two. I feel SO much better, happier and more positive for having been out for a good long run the last two mornings!

I love the fact that I don't have to take anti depressants anymore. Regular exercise is the best medicine!

I really want to run someday. I think this is my real goal...one I can define and work toward. First goal should be something like "I want to be able to run 1/2 mile (?) without stopping." I have never in my life been able to do that. On the treadmill now I jog for very short spurts ...maybe a minute? It just feels like such a burden on my feet and bones ....like I'm doing more damage than good.

Jacqui,

i for one, have always admired you so much for your running. i just cant picture myself going there. granted i am less than 1/2 way to my goal. maybe when i hit about 250ish i can start. it just wrecks my knees and hips when i go on the treadmill for more than 4mph.

you are doing fabulously!

That's as fast as I can go on the treadmill too. Today I moved it up to 4.3 for one minute. I just read a book where it said to do a big spurt at the end of higher intensity.

I really feel like I am accomplishing something when I can jog.