What motivates you to stay on track?
marekdds
Posts: 2,233 Member
I was discussing this with some Mfp ers. Upon reflection, for me, the three biggest are - my almost 90 year old mom in a scooter. If I make it to 90, I want to be on my own two feet. Dementia runs rampant in my family, my dad, his sisters/brothers, my sister (only (66) all down that road. I have read massive amounts on the subject. Healthy diets, mostly plant based and exercise are key markers in, at least, slowing it down. Last, my fat pics, I can't go there again. I have worked too hard and too long to go back to eating like a self-indulgent moron, ( I do have my goodies, but within reason). My health is more important. I need to do this for me, for my family. What motivates you?
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Oh, yeah, and all the people here, super supportive!0
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My fat pictures are also a huge motivator. Plus, I feel so much better! I am trying to avoid knee surgery as long as possible. I know it is coming, but with weight loss I am hoping to not have to do it yet.0
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Today I achieved a Person High in Wattage at Spin today. It's little things like that, that keep me going.0
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I think back to how miserable I felt physically and mentally in the years before I started. Don't ever want to go back there. If I'm not going forward I'll be going backwards. Works every time!0
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I think for me it's really just how strong and healthy I feel now compared to the way I felt a couple of years ago. As long as I don't forget that lousy feeling I doubt I'll ever back slide. And I'm having fun anyway. Also, the clothes.............I've spent too much money buying smaller sizes and have gotten rid of the larger sizes.....
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Oh, yeah! Forgot about the clothes. Started around 22?? I think. Now I am a 4-6. Whoo hoo! Even my feet got smaller, and I can wear heels. Couldn't do that when I was fat.0
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Oh, yeah! Forgot about the clothes. Started around 22?? I think. Now I am a 4-6. Whoo hoo! Even my feet got smaller, and I can wear heels. Couldn't do that when I was fat.
Well, I'll never be a 4-6 but I'm happy at a 10..........LOL. And yeah the shoe thing is really weird right? I couldn't believe how big some of my shoes felt after about a 50 lb loss.
I'm shopping tomorrow for a dress to wear to a semi-formal wedding next weekend and I'm actually looking forward to shopping for a change......
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I'm playing for high stakes. I was fit when I had my first heart attack in Feb/14. I was 185, running 5 k's a couple times a week, had done 7 miles in deep snow bow hunting two days before, and led a fire attack the day before. That was what dropped me the next day, smoke inhalation thickened my blood enough that an unknown 95% blocked coronary artery got hit with a clog. Anyway, that's history. I work out every day with very few exceptions, and after over feeding my powerlifting, am now at 186.5 heading for 175, with most of it lean mass. My strength and fitness levels are the best they've ever been. I tell the firefighters that if the second heart attack waiting out there finds me, I'm strong enough now I'll carry my own damn coffin.0
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I'm playing for high stakes. I was fit when I had my first heart attack in Feb/14. I was 185, running 5 k's a couple times a week, had done 7 miles in deep snow bow hunting two days before, and led a fire attack the day before. That was what dropped me the next day, smoke inhalation thickened my blood enough that an unknown 95% blocked coronary artery got hit with a clog. Anyway, that's history. I work out every day with very few exceptions, and after over feeding my powerlifting, am now at 186.5 heading for 175, with most of it lean mass. My strength and fitness levels are the best they've ever been. I tell the firefighters that if the second heart attack waiting out there finds me, I'm strong enough now I'll carry my own damn coffin.
Nothing like an unexpected health scare to get our a**** in gear. I had a similar experience but it wasn't my heart. Food poisoning almost killed me............and now I'm a new me!!!
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I'm playing for high stakes. I was fit when I had my first heart attack in Feb/14. I was 185, running 5 k's a couple times a week, had done 7 miles in deep snow bow hunting two days before, and led a fire attack the day before. That was what dropped me the next day, smoke inhalation thickened my blood enough that an unknown 95% blocked coronary artery got hit with a clog. Anyway, that's history. I work out every day with very few exceptions, and after over feeding my powerlifting, am now at 186.5 heading for 175, with most of it lean mass. My strength and fitness levels are the best they've ever been. I tell the firefighters that if the second heart attack waiting out there finds me, I'm strong enough now I'll carry my own damn coffin.
Nothing like an unexpected health scare to get our a**** in gear. I had a similar experience but it wasn't my heart. Food poisoning almost killed me............and now I'm a new me!!!
What was your experience through that? I was dead ( by heart function) a couple times through my week in hospital. I'm not religious, and have been a practicing Bhuddist for many years. I was surprised by my complete lack of fear of death through the entire process. I went into it knowing what was happening (as a firefighter I've attended many cardiac events) and I was completely calm, and given the life I've lead, and my happiness with family, kids and grandkids, ready to die if it happened. It was an experience which, once out the other side, has left me with no fear, and a level of peace I've never known.
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I'm playing for high stakes. I was fit when I had my first heart attack in Feb/14. I was 185, running 5 k's a couple times a week, had done 7 miles in deep snow bow hunting two days before, and led a fire attack the day before. That was what dropped me the next day, smoke inhalation thickened my blood enough that an unknown 95% blocked coronary artery got hit with a clog. Anyway, that's history. I work out every day with very few exceptions, and after over feeding my powerlifting, am now at 186.5 heading for 175, with most of it lean mass. My strength and fitness levels are the best they've ever been. I tell the firefighters that if the second heart attack waiting out there finds me, I'm strong enough now I'll carry my own damn coffin.
Nothing like an unexpected health scare to get our a**** in gear. I had a similar experience but it wasn't my heart. Food poisoning almost killed me............and now I'm a new me!!!
What was your experience through that? I was dead ( by heart function) a couple times through my week in hospital. I'm not religious, and have been a practicing Bhuddist for many years. I was surprised by my complete lack of fear of death through the entire process. I went into it knowing what was happening (as a firefighter I've attended many cardiac events) and I was completely calm, and given the life I've lead, and my happiness with family, kids and grandkids, ready to die if it happened. It was an experience which, once out the other side, has left me with no fear, and a level of peace I've never known.
I don't really remember much of the first couple of days in the hospital...............I'd been sick for nearly six weeks and was pretty miserable by the time I landed in the ER. The bacteria got into my blood stream and I became septic and barely made it through that, but I don't really recall feeling anything other than sick. I wasn't scared though as far as I remember.
It took a long time for the doctors, mine and the hospital staff, to figure out what had happened to me and I was frustrated with that.
Mine wasn't anything like yours...............I never realized how close I came to dying until it was all over....LOL
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I'm playing for high stakes. I was fit when I had my first heart attack in Feb/14. I was 185, running 5 k's a couple times a week, had done 7 miles in deep snow bow hunting two days before, and led a fire attack the day before. That was what dropped me the next day, smoke inhalation thickened my blood enough that an unknown 95% blocked coronary artery got hit with a clog. Anyway, that's history. I work out every day with very few exceptions, and after over feeding my powerlifting, am now at 186.5 heading for 175, with most of it lean mass. My strength and fitness levels are the best they've ever been. I tell the firefighters that if the second heart attack waiting out there finds me, I'm strong enough now I'll carry my own damn coffin.
Nothing like an unexpected health scare to get our a**** in gear. I had a similar experience but it wasn't my heart. Food poisoning almost killed me............and now I'm a new me!!!
What was your experience through that? I was dead ( by heart function) a couple times through my week in hospital. I'm not religious, and have been a practicing Bhuddist for many years. I was surprised by my complete lack of fear of death through the entire process. I went into it knowing what was happening (as a firefighter I've attended many cardiac events) and I was completely calm, and given the life I've lead, and my happiness with family, kids and grandkids, ready to die if it happened. It was an experience which, once out the other side, has left me with no fear, and a level of peace I've never known.
I find your story very inspiring and interesting! I've been interested in NDE's since my mom died 27 years ago and read all kinds of articles and books on the subject. Do you remember any of those moments/experiences? Thank you for what you do also by the way!0 -
Looking good. Feeling good. Being strong. And I get a boat load of health and fitness magazines plus I surround myself with link-minded individuals.0
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Sheer willpower and determination. I want a change and I have recognized that I truly feel better when I stick to the plan. Yesterday I was eating saltines here and there and realized I don't really like them anymore. I've had days where I grazed through a whole package. Yesterday I ate a fraction of that and it wasn't worth it - not much taste to them. I've decided I'd rather stick to the plan with the potential outcome than eat too much of anything.0
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Death motivates me.
I might be here for another week or another forty years, either way I plan on enjoying the time I have left. Being unfit and immobile would remove much of the joy of living.0 -
The fear of regaining it all and having to lose it all again. Again. I don't think I have the wherewithal for another go round after this. This Is It.0
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hollen_carol wrote: »I'm playing for high stakes. I was fit when I had my first heart attack in Feb/14. I was 185, running 5 k's a couple times a week, had done 7 miles in deep snow bow hunting two days before, and led a fire attack the day before. That was what dropped me the next day, smoke inhalation thickened my blood enough that an unknown 95% blocked coronary artery got hit with a clog. Anyway, that's history. I work out every day with very few exceptions, and after over feeding my powerlifting, am now at 186.5 heading for 175, with most of it lean mass. My strength and fitness levels are the best they've ever been. I tell the firefighters that if the second heart attack waiting out there finds me, I'm strong enough now I'll carry my own damn coffin.
Nothing like an unexpected health scare to get our a**** in gear. I had a similar experience but it wasn't my heart. Food poisoning almost killed me............and now I'm a new me!!!
What was your experience through that? I was dead ( by heart function) a couple times through my week in hospital. I'm not religious, and have been a practicing Bhuddist for many years. I was surprised by my complete lack of fear of death through the entire process. I went into it knowing what was happening (as a firefighter I've attended many cardiac events) and I was completely calm, and given the life I've lead, and my happiness with family, kids and grandkids, ready to die if it happened. It was an experience which, once out the other side, has left me with no fear, and a level of peace I've never known.
I find your story very inspiring and interesting! I've been interested in NDE's since my mom died 27 years ago and read all kinds of articles and books on the subject. Do you remember any of those moments/experiences? Thank you for what you do also by the way!
Hi Carol
Nope, absolutely no recollection of the events. I told people I saw Elvis, but not really. I'm not a believer in an afterlife, but who really knows? I was 'away' briefly by heart function, but not brain dead. At least no more brain dead than any male of my age.
Kirk
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Hi. I am new to group but loved this discussion. I hang clothes I really want to wear and look good in in various areas so I see them at random times. But my biggest inspiration is my 7 year granddaughter and 14 year old son. I have other kids and grandkids but these two live with me and I am tired of not being able to do with them the things I did with my older kids cuz I am just too fat. Exercise is my biggest hurdle because at 302#, I just get so tired and there is so much to do in my life, with little help, so time is difficult. Am sticking with healthy eating, aggressively, so far. Looking forward to reading about others!!
Chris from CT
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Chris, don't give up. I was like you. Too tired to do anything. Keep at it, it is so worth it.0
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Hi Chris, I'm like you, the kids are really a big part of my motivation too. I've got an 18 yr old son that's very active and two grandsons, 3 & 1 that just live a mile from us. After a bad day at work on Tuesday, I went over to see them and we were wrestling on their front lawn, I couldn't of done that last year. You can do this, just keep working at it one day at a time.0
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Hi Chris.............I have a dress hanging in a door way just off the kitchen that I bought last Sat to wear to a wedding this Sat................a reminder of how far I've come. You'll get there too!!!!
Stick with the eating properly and add exercise as you can......you'll soon find you're able to do much more than you realized.0 -
prplhaz300 wrote: »Hi. I am new to group but loved this discussion. I hang clothes I really want to wear and look good in in various areas so I see them at random times. But my biggest inspiration is my 7 year granddaughter and 14 year old son. I have other kids and grandkids but these two live with me and I am tired of not being able to do with them the things I did with my older kids cuz I am just too fat. Exercise is my biggest hurdle because at 302#, I just get so tired and there is so much to do in my life, with little help, so time is difficult. Am sticking with healthy eating, aggressively, so far. Looking forward to reading about others!!
Chris from CT
Good on you for seeing after your grandchildren. My sister and I were raised by our Grandparents. I don't think I ever thanked them for it. So I'll commend and Thank You . Good Job! .
Stay with it. Eat healthy. If you only have time and energy for a little exercise then do that. Any exercise you can do is better than nothing. Just do what you can and eat right. When you get to feeling a little stronger and better, do a little more. It's slow going but it works.
Good Luck.0 -
I had back surgery a year ago this month. I've always had back issues and probably always will. The Dr said the preventative is keeping my weight down and back strong. Too many people with back issues tend to baby their backs which weakens the muscles and basically makes them more susceptible to injury.
I want to do everything I can to avoid any future issues and the side effects of looking and feeling better are some pretty nice perks!0 -
I am internally motivated to be the best version of myself.
Every action either moves me closer to my goals or further away.
I always want to move forward as I strive toward my ideal.
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I don't want the health problems of being obese and old. I want to build and maintain my endurance, strength, and flexibility. I have struggled with weight my entire life. Quitting is just not an option anymore.0
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Great attitude everyone!0
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My son has challenged me to climb the Manitou Incline with him this fall. I am excited to go do something I wouldn't have dreamed of doing six months ago. I've noticed that I push myself a lot harder now that I have a short-term goal of keeping up with him than I did when it was just an abstract "getting back in shape" goal.0
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Terrific challenge!0
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My son has challenged me to climb the Manitou Incline with him this fall. I am excited to go do something I wouldn't have dreamed of doing six months ago. I've noticed that I push myself a lot harder now that I have a short-term goal of keeping up with him than I did when it was just an abstract "getting back in shape" goal.
Oh my gosh!!! This is something I want to do, too! I'm not sure when I'll get over there, but it looks so challenging! A friend of mine did it with her over 50 workout group. She said it was amazing!0 -
My daughter is getting married in 2017. She like us to be healthy for her big day. Plus I might get grandchildren someday.
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