Why do you care so much about your health?

msliu7911

Everyone has their own motivations on why they want to lose weight, gain muscle... why they became a personal trainer or joined MFP. I also feel that many times there is an underlying cause for this other than "just to be healthy".

Sounds like a silly question but really, I'm curious.

I'll go first.... I care about my health because I've been in a position before where I didn't have such great health (staph infection from spinal fusion, hospitalized for 2 weeks)... and its made me embrace the 2nd chance I've been given.

I also care because it has been instilled in me since I was much younger to always exercise, eat an apple a day.. etc., and I've noticed a change in my overall happiness and quality of life when I'm nourishing my body and being active vs. sitting inside behind technology and scarfing down a bag of cheetos.

Your turn....

megsmom2

If I don't take care of me....who will? This is the only body I get. Its getting older, I need to take good care of it!

angieleighbyrd

Honestly, I just wanna look good naked.

msliu7911

Honestly, I just wanna look good naked.

Haha, thats a great reason!

drojen

We have a history of diabetes and heart problems in my family. At my last blood test, I was very close to the "you've got diabetes"number. I wanted to fix that. Also, I have a 15 yr old son with special needs. There is no one else to look after him, so I have to look after myself. I was ashamed to say I can't do this, I can't do that because of my weight. He was going to miss out on a lot of fun if I didn't shape up. I'm happy to say I've improved my blood sugar # and my son and I are now enjoying time together at the gym and outside of the gym. And to be honest, when I put on clothes, I want to look good in them someday. I'm not there yet, but every day, I get a little closer.

Those are my reasons. Next person?

rockerbabyy

besides wanting to look amazingly awesome while naked, i want to be here to torture my kids in my old age. i changed their diapers, i think its only fair they do the same for me when the time comes.
on a more serious note, i lost my mother in law and she was way too young (58) due to something preventable...ive seen how its affected her sons and i dont want that for my kids. id rather die from natural old age issues than because i didnt take care of my body when i had the chance.

AnjaZ89

besides colon cancer (mother's side) and obesity(dad's side) running in my family, I felt horrible when I still had 50lbs extra on my body. I felt tired, depressed and tried to hide my body from others...
Now I have more energy, don't get out of breath as easily and my blood pressure stopped (but still slightly high)

2muchsauce

I have 3 small kids and need to be around for them for a long time.

I also want to be able to take them to the water park or the lake and not be embarrassed to take my shirt off !!

msliu7911

We have a history of diabetes and heart problems in my family. At my last blood test, I was very close to the "you've got diabetes"number. I wanted to fix that. Also, I have a 15 yr old son with special needs. There is no one else to look after him, so I have to look after myself. I was ashamed to say I can't do this, I can't do that because of my weight. He was going to miss out on a lot of fun if I didn't shape up. I'm happy to say I've improved my blood sugar # and my son and I are now enjoying time together at the gym and outside of the gym. And to be honest, when I put on clothes, I want to look good in them someday. I'm not there yet, but every day, I get a little closer.

Those are my reasons. Next person?

Great job on improving your blood sugar #s!!!! Keep it up Just remember that because you have a history of diabetes an heart problems does not mean you have to become another case of genetics. Anything that you can do now early on will help to highly minimze the chance that you will be prone to diabetes or heart problems! So many people think that just because it runs in their family that there is no avoiding it... so they let themselves go. Kudos to you for taking a step to stop the pattern and be a great example to your son.

Crochetluvr

I have diabetes. Not caring about that can cause a LOT of problems.

msliu7911

besides wanting to look amazingly awesome while naked, i want to be here to torture my kids in my old age. i changed their diapers, i think its only fair they do the same for me when the time comes.
on a more serious note, i lost my mother in law and she was way too young (58) due to something preventable...ive seen how its affected her sons and i dont want that for my kids. id rather die from natural old age issues than because i didnt take care of my body when i had the chance.

I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law Happy to hear that in a way its inspired you though. I, too, would like to live as long as possible and die of natural causes.. not preventable things that I did to myself when I was younger.

and I want to look good nakey.

jenilla1

Since I was a little kid I've always been interested in health and fitness - an avid reader of those topics from an early age. I may also be a bit of a hypochondriac, so it's important for me to be as healthy and strong as I can be. In case I ever come down with something major, I want to increase my odds of survival and decrease my recovery time. :laugh:

msliu7911

besides colon cancer (mother's side) and obesity(dad's side) running in my family, I felt horrible when I still had 50lbs extra on my body. I felt tired, depressed and tried to hide my body from others...
Now I have more energy, don't get out of breath as easily and my blood pressure stopped (but still slightly high)

LOL your blood pressure stopped? jk, I know what you mean. Great job on improving that and on taking proactive measures to improve your health... and somewhat stop the cycle of being predisposed to something and just accepting.

I totally get what you mean when you say you were depressed and tired, as well as wanting to hide. Been there, still sligthtly battling but I'm on my way.

msliu7911

I have 3 small kids and need to be around for them for a long time.

I also want to be able to take them to the water park or the lake and not be embarrassed to take my shirt off !!

Don't have children but I can only imagine how things and priorities change once they are in your life.

Totally feel you on the waterpark thing!!!!

msliu7911

Since I was a little kid I've always been interested in health and fitness - an avid reader of those topics from an early age. I may also be a bit of a hypochondriac, so it's important for me to be as healthy and strong as I can be. In case I ever come down with something major, I want to increase my odds of survival and decrease my recovery time. :laugh:

LOL! Prevention and preparation is key!

Octopies

My whole life I have been overweight. I'm talking about even when I was a little girl, 5 or 6. I've lived a whole bunch on that side of the coin, now I'd like to see the other side.
Also, health issues like Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease run in the family and I know that getting my weight under control will lower the chances of getting any of that.

DRHogue

I care because I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I've been grossly unhealthy and overweight, and I have lived a daily healthy life at my goal weight. I know how each feels and honestly being healthy and active feels so much better mentally and physically than being unhealthy ever did.
I care because I want to add years to my life not take them away. I care because as much as I fear getting older I realize "failing or declining health" does not have to be a part of aging.
I care because diabetes is very prominent in my family and I want to do all I can to keep from getting that disease as well.

keem88

i just want to feel good over all, not have extra aches and pains on my body due to not taking care of it. i have never been in a weight that was over for my height, but i want to be able to see my nephew grow up, maybe have kids of my own and maybe help inspire others to take care of their bodies as well. you just feel so much better not putting crap in your system, and not having to deal with the health issues that come with a bad lifestyle. i still sit at home and eat my cheetos and oreos sometimes, but it's nice to be active, be able to take the dog on long walks and just feel better overall. oh and look awesome in a bikini or a little black dress

MaraDiaz

You know how people used to say to someone who was broke, alone, and miserable, 'well at least you still have your health'? Well I didn't. So now I do. Still broke and alone, but funnily enough, much less miserable.

Also when the world tries to kick me when I'm already down again I'll now be able to kick it back, tie it in a knot, and hurl it to Pluto. That'll teach it!

jenfoxjercha

Both of my parents are over weight and have high blood pressure. My father had a heart attack a few years ago. At 35 yrs old I had dangerously high blood pressure. With a teenage son I wanted to be here for a long time and be part of his life. I was also starting to get into a pattern of not being able to do anything because I didn't have the energy. My marriage was ok but I think my husband wanted me to be more active. I was to young to feel that way.
Last year I went to New York with my son and we walked for an entire day around town. It was a great feeling. I love the energy I have now. I don't feel that there is anything I can't do if I want.

msliu7911

I care because I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I've been grossly unhealthy and overweight, and I have lived a daily healthy life at my goal weight. I know how each feels and honestly being healthy and active feels so much better mentally and physically than being unhealthy ever did.
I care because I want to add years to my life not take them away. I care because as much as I fear getting older I realize "failing or declining health" does not have to be a part of aging.
I care because diabetes is very prominent in my family and I want to do all I can to keep from getting that disease as well.

Where you say "I know how each feels and honestly being healthy and active feels so much better mentally and physically than being unhealthy ever did."

Competely know where you are coming from.

msliu7911

You know how people used to say to someone who was broke, alone, and miserable, 'well at least you still have your health'? Well I didn't. So now I do. Still broke and alone, but funnily enough, much less miserable.

Also when the world tries to kick me when I'm already down again I'll now be able to kick it back, tie it in a knot, and hurl it to Pluto. That'll teach it!

LOL... at least good health breeds great strength/ fighting moves!

"At least you still have your health".... is so true.

My husband had to get his appendix removed in October and before that he never had any "major" health problems besides an occasional cold. We both agreed that this really brought to light how precious having your health is and how fortunate we are to have good health. You really don't know how important your health is until it is compromised...

msliu7911

Both of my parents are over weight and have high blood pressure. My father had a heart attack a few years ago. At 35 yrs old I had dangerously high blood pressure. With a teenage son I wanted to be here for a long time and be part of his life. I was also starting to get into a pattern of not being able to do anything because I didn't have the energy. My marriage was ok but I think my husband wanted me to be more active. I was to young to feel that way.
Last year I went to New York with my son and we walked for an entire day around town. It was a great feeling. I love the energy I have now. I don't feel that there is anything I can't do if I want.

I bet that felt amazing to be able to walk around with your son without being winded, etc. Glad you have such empowerment now.. everyone deserves that feeling!

MaraDiaz

You know how people used to say to someone who was broke, alone, and miserable, 'well at least you still have your health'? Well I didn't. So now I do. Still broke and alone, but funnily enough, much less miserable.

Also when the world tries to kick me when I'm already down again I'll now be able to kick it back, tie it in a knot, and hurl it to Pluto. That'll teach it!

LOL... at least good health breeds great strength/ fighting moves!

"At least you still have your health".... is so true.

My husband had to get his appendix removed in October and before that he never had any "major" health problems besides an occasional cold. We both agreed that this really brought to light how precious having your health is and how fortunate we are to have good health. You really don't know how important your health is until it is compromised...

Very true. And as I've gotten older I've started losing that illusion of immortality, too. I knew I was flirting with diabetes at my heaviest as well as debilitating disc damage that was just going to get worse, not to mention more painful. And I'm seriously a wimp, I wouldn't want to go on living like that.

bluskies01

Agreeing with the other parents here, I want to be around for my son, I want to see my future grandchildren grow up too. I want to be able to "keep up" with my hyper little boy. I want to be able to date again. Yes I occasionally date right now, but it's very very few and far between, and I just feel like I'll have a better chance of finding something real if I get that boost of confidence that comes along with being smaller. I want to be flexible again. It's annoying having trouble putting on shoes or doing other things. That's all I can come up with for now.

DebraYvonne

I want to be healthy & look good & be around for my future grandchildren!

1brokegal44

Honestly, I just wanna look good naked.

This....and I have 3 people with various health issues that I need to take care of. Even if they don't think so.

candace_ndiaye

There are several reasons. I won't deny that I want to be able to wear cute clothes and look good naked; I think that's most people, on at least some level.

Beyond that, though, I tend to be abit high-strung, if I'm honest, so exercise in particular helps me to be abit more calm and focused. Also, I have always had a hard time sleeping, so it helps with that.

There is also a family history of not only heart disease, diabetes, stroke & high blood pressure/cholesterol issues, but there is a strong disposition in my family for breast and/or ovarian cancer. I've seen multiple family members to through it and I'm willing to do just about anything to avoid it myself.

quirkytizzy

Good question. I haven't asked myself this. Huh.

I don't have children to want to be around for. (My cats, maybe???) Vanity. I'll toss my hat into the "I wanna look good naked" camp. Also maybe some kind of strange curiosity. If I got this sick, could I possibly get unsick as well?

Not sure. Good question.

shooter560

I've always been pretty laid back when it came to my own health, though I quit smoking in Dec 12 and joined a gym a few weeks ago, if nothing else but to treat myself and maybe shift a few extra Kgs.

However after a couple of things that made me visit the doc, i had loads of tests and bloods taken, 2 days ago I got the results back and I think it was one of those Oh *kitten* moments, the list of issues and problems revealed by the tests was quite shocking followed by the statement that you'll need to take at least these tablets for the rest of your life, maybe some more too, plus the chilling comment of if thinks don't change and improve you won't be here in 12 months time

I am only 10kgs over weight, not a lot but that along with diet, life style and things have taken their toll and now I care, I have a family I want to be there for, so its time for a lot of changes.

Take care of your body, you only have one and its not guaranteed for anything other than to wear out at some point

savingsunday

There's a whole bunch of reasons!

1) I've always been heavier. I want to know what it is like to be on the flip side.

2) There's quite a few health issues that run in my family. On top of that I have osteogenesis imperfecta. I want to get as healthy as I can to try and prevent any future broken bones (bigger they are, harder they fall kinda thought process).

3)My hubby and I want to have children eventually and I want to be able to keep up with them. We may end up adopting and I believe for most places you have to get a physical and such because the agency wants to make sure you're healthy enough to adopt children.

4) I also want to lessen aches and pains (there's already signs of osteoarthritis in at least one of my knees and I'm only 30!).

5) I want to be able to shop for clothes in a regular sized section.

6) I know he loves me as I am but I want to look better for hubby.

7) Last but not least I just want to feel good all around!

I think those points about sum it up. Haha