What's the WHY in your fitness routine?

Djproulx

When I started out at 54 yrs old, my goal was to help speed up weight loss. After a while, my "why" shifted a bit to becoming more competitive in age group running and triathlon events. And now, at 58, I take great comfort in knowing that this old fart will be able to outrun the Zombies should that day ever come.

Wicked_Seraph

Initially, exercise was 100% about losing weight - and that's it. I still don't love getting up at 5:00 or 5:30 on a weekday to go to the gym, but I never regret doing when I do (except for that one day I accidentally cut the cheese while doing a step-up )

I always told people that I would never be into running, which took me a while to realize wasn't true - I was simply discouraged about being terrible at it. And I still am, but it's so empowering to do a week of Z5K that you looked at and thought 'oh no way, I can't do that' - and then DO IT. During the run, I'm like "my feet hurt my side hurts this sucks I suck rawr" - though I mostly focus on the music. After the run, I think, is when I feel the best.

sarahkanzalone

It's a great stress reliever for me and I went from sedentary to being at gym 4x a week so the progress I can see at this point is pretty awesome and makes me feel good

I also have some health problems that will hopefully be corrected or made more manageable by exercise... Being told your bones look like a senior citizen at age 26 is a pretty good why to get to gym

ald783

I like that it's a constant in my life and something I've stuck with week after week for the past 7+ years. My eating will never be perfect or consistent but I know that I will reliably always work out.

And I love feeling fit and strong and able to run a and bounce around and do a lot of things that I couldn't do when I was at my heaviest.

scarletrayne19

1) Health - when I started working out I had hit an all time high weight and allegedly over 50% bf. My mother is obese, my father was obese and diabetic before gastric bypass surgery, and over half my family members on either side of the family are overweight/unhealthy/both. The deck is stack against me genetically so I have to change my lifestyle for the better now while I'm able.

2) For me - I have never been an athlete. In high school I was in the marching band and in college I just had to walk everywhere, therefore keeping my weight from skyrocketing was much easier. But once I graduated college and started my career the weight I was normally able to keep at bay started creeping up. When I joined my gym in September, I could only bench 20 lbs (that's 20 lbs total. I now bench the Olympic bar plus 5). I still hate cardio but only do it for the cardiovascular benefits. While I'm not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination, I have made incredible strength and endurance strides the past 6 months while figuring out what I like to do and don't like to do (jogging? Hell no. Tennis or kayaking? That's where it's at). I know newbie gainz won't last forever but I'm looking forward to a lifetime of improvement.

CindyFooWho

At my gym, as you walk in, there is a quote on the wall that sums up why I work out, especially at this point in my life. The quote is, "in health there is freedom." I'm 45 and, while that's not ancient by any means, I can start seeing other people near my age who are unable (or unwilling) to stand or walk for long periods of time. Or worse. They are just generally...unable.

For me, I have that "freedom" to do what I want without having to worry about physical limitations. I mean, taking a stab at pro football would be unwise, but if I attend a general admission concert (which I do a LOT), If I'm invited on a hike, want to take a long bike ride on vacation, etc., I just can.

Furthermore, old age will be here before I know it. Having a strong body can only help fend off health problems and allow me to be independent for as long as possible.

I'm always conscious that physical ability is fleeting, even for the best of us. I'm one bad car accident away from having it all taken away from me. But as long as I am in control, I will be.

AigreDoux

To be honest, it's 80% about the mirror and the health benefits. I do enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after a good workout, I like feeling stronger in everyday life and not to get out of breath. But if I was diagnosed with terminal cancer tomorrow, I'd stop exercising.