One of my current favorite sites for quality health discussion is
IowaAvenue (IowaAvenue.com). There are a lot of excellent contributors who have a passion for helping others through diet and exercise suggestions.
This morning I was reading one of their
forum discussions and ended up identifying some of the core reasons why I've decided to try, once again, to head down this road to improving my health. My health has become increasingly important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are my two children. Here's what I said:
"My children have probably been my biggest motivator. My goals with respect to my children are to:
- Help them to grow up with better habits than our culture encouraged when I was growing up so that they don't have the same obstacles to weight management that I do (less TV, little if any fast food, exercise for fun, etc.)
- Set the right example in eating well
- Be able to play with them on the living room floor, or run around with them outside without risking a heart attack
- Be physically comfortable with myself so that they don't pick up on my insecurities, and make them their own
- Be around long enough to see them find their own path, and hopefully be part of that.
The second part of my motivation, sad to say, is fear...I have diabetes on both sides of my family, heart disease on both sides, and a history of cancer on both sides. So far, I'm fine. But that will change if I don't.
The third part is more selfish -- I know that with a history of diabetes, I am doomed to have to give up the foods I love sooner or later if I don't adjust my habits. I think I can stave off the onset of diabetes with diet and exercise, at least for a while, which means I still get to eat those foods - but in moderation. So far so good."
I stand by these motivations, and think that they are all sound reasons to change my life for the better.
In some ways I was extremely lucky growing up - I didn't develop any substance addictions like smoking or alcoholism, a fact for which I am very grateful to my parents for having guided me away from such things. However, I have developed an emotional addiction to fake foods that I believe have the potential to shorten my life. I believe that if I can get a handle on the healthful habits of good food in moderation, combined with working on the emotional aspects, I will finally, finally succeed.
There are of course no guarantees in life, but I'm doing what I can to increase my chances of being around for a while. Hopefully, a very long while.
What motivates you to improve your health?
healthranker.com Says: 27.02.08 at 9:40 pm
What motivates you to get fit? | AlmostFit.com…
Your health becomes increasingly important as you get older. For me, having children has been my single greatest motivator. What motivates you?…
23 benefits of eating good food in moderation | AlmostFit.com Says: 27.02.08 at 9:45 pm
[...] What motivates you to get fit? [...]
Setting an example for my children was one of my biggest motivations, too! But I also found that the extra energy and better outlook on life after a satisfying workout has kept my motivation during down times!
I definitely agree. My children were a really good starting motivator (and one that continues to be effective), but particularly when I was in a regular exercise routine (I used to run 3 miles a day and then 6 on the weekend), it had a definite positive impact on my outlook, which in turn increased my motivation.
I’m hoping to get back to my exercise routine soon – diet correction is not enough to improve my overall health.
Motivation is a tough thing to come by sometimes, and it often slips people’s minds. My children are also my major motivator. But, I have a question: Should we be our greatest motivator? You mentioned your fear and selfishness. As I age, a long, health life is one of my major motivators. What good is living longer if you’re a burden to your loved ones………………….:)
BTW, thanks for the plug.
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I am not sure that there is a right or wrong here, but I do know that for me, the key to your statement is a long and _healthy_ life. My wife’s mother C. recently completed a 15 year journey as full-time caregiver for her own mother L. (Grandma L. passed away in October), and by the end it was clear that it took a huge toll on C. — She is now herself in her 70′s and starting to struggle with her own health issues. So I’m not sure what the answer is — she did what she felt was right, and is happy with that, but for those of us onlookers it looks like the hardest of roads.
One of my prime motivators for getting fit is to keep my mobility. I have bad ankles. I have a bad right knee. I currently suffer from plantar fasciitis. At my highest weight of 262, moving was painful much of the time. If I ever got heavier, it might become impossible for me to get around on my own, without a wheelchair or scooter. Plus, at age 50, and with no real health problems other than the weight on my bad joints, I don’t want to live long and be half-crippled.
At the same time, I also have memories of having more energy, being able to dance, to hike a little, to do more fun things that are now painful. So getting back to the fun of life is a huge motivator!
Yeah, I’d like the energy to play more with my cats too! I don’t have children and will not be doing so, having had a hysterectomy some years back. So my motivation is to be a better and healthier me FOR me. But I think my husband would also benefit from a wife with more energy!
Cynthia, I have a few physical limitations as well due to an overly aggressive exercise regimen that really wreaked havoc on my knees. I am going to write about it at some point; I just haven’t figured out how to do so without coming across as frustrated with the program, because it was done as part of a charity that I support.
My hope is that if I can get my weight down to a more manageable number I can resume running, which I really do enjoy for a variety of reasons (helps to give me mental clarity for example). However, at this weight, I really don’t believe it would be a wise move. But soon.
Yeah, with exercise it’s best to start in slow and not get too carried away. I’m so guilty of the last, but I always end up injured. I don’t think running is every likely to be good for me, but I would love to do a lot of walking again. Maybe even walk in a race one day. Right now my walking is in a pool. Not a bad thing, somewhere I read that walking in water is like 12X the resistance of walking on dry land!
pligg.com Says: 10.03.08 at 9:27 pm
What motivates you to get fit?…
The second part of my motivation, sad to say, is fear…I have diabetes on both sides of my family, heart disease on both sides, and a history of cancer on both sides. So far, I’m fine. But that will change if I don’t….
My motivation comes from having to take care of my ageing parents. My mother just died of Alzheimer’s disease and my father will soon follow with Parkinson’s and dementia. We live in an age where we live to short and die too long. After watching my parents waste years of their life from poor food choices and not enough exercise, I will not be following in their footsteps. I cannot guarantee that I will not get some kind of disease but I can sure lower my chances by making better choices. I must admit that although it has been a tremendous burden on me to take care of my parents, it is a burden that I am willing to bear. I do not want to be this kind of burden to anyone, if I can help it.
Thanks for writing this entry on motivation. I will put a link to it on my motivation page at
http://aiminghigher.blogspot.com/2008/01/motivation-to-get-in-shape.html
@pligg: I have the same situation for sure. Even the same details!
@Jeff: I am sorry to hear about your loss, and your father’s path as well. My Mother-in-law was a full-time caregiver to her Mother for the final 15 years of her Mother’s life (Great-Grandma just passed away in October at 102), and it was an incredible sacrifice – One that I’m not sure many people these days have the fortitude to last. Hats off to you for doing something so noble.
On health, I am right there with ya – I don’t want to be in that position (where my kids have to sacrifice years for me because of things I could have changed, but didn’t). Glad this helped motivate you even more.
Best to you,
Metroknow
http://www.almostfit.com
Since I have no children until now and besides the fact that I have grown up “living healthy” my motivation is very egocentric! -> “It all comes down to me”! If I don’t care about myself I won’t be able to accomplish all the thing I would like to do – and there is a lot to so!
Travel the world, building web based businesses, have a social live … and the list goes on. Getting out of bed in the morning and getting active! Look back at your day in the evening and say – “that was a good, creative and productive day”.
Feeling good at the end of the day starts in the morning. The morning sets the day. I get up have some water and a snack and do my sports (I am into swimming). I return after 2.5 (1.5hours of active swimming) and have a really healthy meal (mostly fruits mixed up with some juice and cereals).
Not everybody has the time to do that much exercise in the morning, I know I didn’t had the time while I was working 9-5. Do some Yoga or just 3 sets of push ups + some stretching will set your mind in a proactive state.
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