How Did You Get Started?

endorphin_junkie

endorphin_junkie

Cathlete
Hello All:
Curiosity overwhelms, how did you get started on your fitness journeys? Were you always active, did you come to it later in life, perhaps after an injury or as a coping mechanism? I am fascinated by what motivates individuals to hold fast to their commitment to stay fit especially because we are in the minority.

I never exercised until I was in my 30's, the truth is in high school gym class I used to lag behind with a few friends and sneak in a cigarette when we were supposed to be running:eek: The closest I came to fitness in my 20's was running for an elevatorx( . In my 30's my fit DH was diagnosed with cancer, after the shock, or as a result of it, I had a revelation that hit me like a bag of wet cement, 'how could I maintain my physical health if I'd never taken care of it'. Twelve years later I cannot fathom a life without fitness as a part of my day to day, my fitness is as much a part of me as .... well,....it is just a part of me.

I would really love to know what sparked you to commit to fitness and what keeps the fire burning.
Thanks so much
Take Care
Laurie:)
 
Hi Laurie,

I have been working out since I was about 19. I was never athletic and always cutting gym class...LOL. I was on bed rest with both of my pregnancies. I lost some motivation at that point. After I had the kids I was on and off working out until I hit 30. At this point I had been a smoker for 18 years and had 20 pounds of extra baby weight on me. I read an article in I think Glamour about giving yourself a health makeover. Since I read that I have lost 20 pounds++ and quit smoking (8 months now). I feel and look better now at 31 then I did at 19.

Aila :)
 
Wow Aila!! That's fantastic, you have had quite a year Girl, good on ya!!:) Sounds like your pregnancies took their toll but here you are better that ever!!! I love that you say you feel and look better now than at 19, I feel exactly the same way.
Thanks for replying

Take Care
Laurie
 
Great idea for a thread, Laurie! Maybe you can get enough responses on here so certain other tiresome threads will die already, and we can get back to the business of discussing fitness ... }(

Anyway ... to answer your question ... I was very active as a child but not because I was trying to be "fit" - simply because when I grew up (pre-video/computer/hand-held game era), kids were outside as much as possible, running and jumping and riding bikes and simply playing. I was not athletic, per se, and was a total geek in gym class, but I loved to move just the same. I took PE classes in college like ballet and ice skating, and started running in college because I liked it. When I graduated and came home and went to nursing school, I stopped running and didn't replace it with any organized fitness routine. It wasn't until after I got married that I discovered the Firm tapes, and started getting into fitness again. I was an intermittent exerciser when my daughter was little. I was working a lot, and I found it difficult to fit in workouts. I would do well for a few weeks or even at times for a few months, then I would quit again. It wasn't until last year when I finally committed to losing the weight I had slowly gained over the years that I really got into it. Once I found Cathe at the end of July, I was hooked. In fact, I have now been working out consistently for ten months, which is a record for me when measured against the past 15 or so years. The last time I did any type of organized, intense physical activity like this consistently, for any significant length of time, was in college the first time, when I ran three miles a day, rain or shine. I'm very proud of myself!! I'm in better shape now than I have ever been, and I have more muscle definition now than I have ever had!! Life is pretty cool!! Thanks, Cathe!! :D

Carol
:)
 
I had my 1st child at 23 and my second at 28 years old...It was really hard to get motivated with working and having 2 kids to take care of. I do have a helpful husband, but he use to always say "oh you look fine". Now he lifts weights too..LOL. I guess I did something good for the both of us. It was very hard giving up the smokes though. That was much harder than commiting myself to diet and exercise. I smoked since I hit puberty! I have to say that quitting smoking was the best thing I ever did for myself. It was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do..except for givin birth!!
 
I was a totally nonathletic teenager, no sports or activities. But I graduated from high school in 1974 and there was NOTHING but cheerleading and track at my high school. In college I also did nothing but was beginning to think about it. Then I broke both legs and many other body-bits in a drunken car wreck at 19. After my long recovery (6 weeks in traction, 4 in a body cast, some more in leg casts, then physical therapy), I was told I couldn't run, my knees were screwed, etc. I started jogging a bit just to see what in fact I could do. I ran a mile or two, started swimming laps.

At age 21 my boyfriend got me to lift weights, I loved the results and was proud of my muscles before they were popular. (Before Terminator One, I think. }( ) I really kept up with it through my twenties, doing martial arts, triathlon training, long long bike rides, cross country skiing, Masters Swimming, riflery, archery, scuba diving, etc. I exercised through my pregnancy and began again when Logan was 6 weeks old. Someone introduced me to hi/lo aerobics. They gave me a Madonna tape and showed me how to just jump around for 45 minutes while Logan took a nap or watched me from a towel on the floor nearby.

I kept running, swimming, lifting weights, whatever I could. In 1991 I started doing the Firm Volume 1 with Susan Harris. I had never been so sore in my life. I couldn't even touch my quads for 3 days. I was hooked. I did the Firm, got Volumes 1-6 and then got my first Cathe (PowerMax) from Collage in 1996. I transitioned from Firm to Cathe for about 6 months and then became a total Cathe monogamist. I still run a little, bike and ski and dive and swim occasionally and go to spin classes a bit. But most days it's Cathe.

That's my story. So, I too have been working out since 19 and am now pushing 47.
 
What type of Martial Arts did you take?? It's funny because my son takes Kenpo Karate and was belt tested tonight. He is only two belts away from earning his jr. black belt. He really loves it.

Aila
 
I think I was always active. I grew up next door to three boys and I became a huge tomboy (at 45 I still am..:)). I was the youngest of 4 girls and nobody in my family was active except my Dad. I always loved looking at his Gymnastics picture he carried in his wallet. He was doing an Iron Cross on the rings. A strength move! I don't know if that got me rolling or what. I played Tennis, Volleyball and Softball in High School. I had so much fun. I discovered running in my senior year. My best friend and I ran during lunch hour before our grueling Volleyball practice. I never ran competitively , mainly just for fun and health benefits. Got my first weight set and bench at 18. My one sister Karen had discovered running about this time. I got married 3 years later and moved to where Karen lived. Slowly the rest of the family moved too.

So then Karen and I started running races with our hubbies. My hubby ended up having knee surgery a few years later and I had to quit running because of Achilles Tendonitis. Thats when I discovered the Firm, Kathy Smith and Karen Voight.My hubby made me my first step...it's 10 by 14 so I don't use it for step, but it is a good high step and works well with Legs & Glutes. I started Cathe's Step workouts I think in the early 90's.

I took up running again in 1992. My sister talked me into my 1st marathon in 1997. She realized her mistake as we finished and as soon as we got in the car to go home....I said "Karen, when is the next one?" ...this came from a girl that said she would NEVER run that far! Well 10 marathons later...:)...and of course 1 50K...which is my new focus.

I have aquired most all of Cathe's workouts during all this time. The Intensity Series and BodyBlast series have really helped during my injury. And this forum has been wonderful in the short time I have been here. Thanks Laurie for starting this thread...:)...Carole
 
Thanks to all for sharing your stories, I'm bumping to hear more:)
That's some serious tenacity you showed recovering from what sounds like an horrific accident Mogambo!}( As they say "Damn the torpedoes."
I have such admiration for long distance runners, I just can't seem to break through the 10 kilometre barrier but I know someday I'll get there, maybe this Spring;-)
Thanks again to all and I can't wait to hear more.

Laurie:)
 
Cool thread...I was active in my early years. I was always playing outside as a kid, running around the neighborhood with friends, etc. Then I started playing sports (track and tennis) in 8th grade. My sister and I also had some exercise videos then and did Gilad and Ada on the TV.

I was pretty active in college, but only playing tennis at that point and occasionally using the college gym and/or taking a class. I think I also used to go to Bally's occasionally also since my sister and I had a membership.

After college I began working and was really only riding my mountain bike and taking TaeKwonDo classes for 2 years.

Then I started law school and didn't do much, gained almost 30 pounds, and felt miserable in my overalls which were the only thing that fit anymore. One day (January 18, 2001), I was walking up the stairs to the Law Review office and could breathe too well by the time I got to the top. I vowed to do something. How could I have let myself get like this? (that's a story for another day). In any event, the next morning, I popped in a Tae Bo tape and suffered through part of it. Found Cathe 4 months later and never looked back.

Now I am about 25 pounds lighter, 3 years later, and can run up lots of stairs without feeling like I will keel over!
 
As an only, lonely child, I used food for comfort and my friend. I was obese. With enough hurtful comments from classmates, I went anorexic in junior high, then went normal again for a few years. A guy called me Flat-Ass one day while I was walking to class(college). After I crawled out of the hole of embarrassment and shame, I discovered Gilad and sister Ada, Denise Austin, then the FIRM, then finally Cathe(YES!!!!Thank you Cathe). Now I fear losing what I've worked so long and hard for by cutting back to 'just maintaining' level.
Anyone else feel pressure to maintain the body you've sculpted?
 
I was never an athletic type when I was younger. Always thought I would have my health so when I hit my 20's I partied it up and never cared about getting proper sleep so would get only two hours of sleep and then go to work, after work it was off to the next party. Never thought I would get married or desired to have kids. Well I met my hubby and got married and yes then came the kids:) so my life cleaned up alot. But still never gave a hoot about health, Not until I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and then Came the IBS that sent me to the ER so many times. The doctors always told me I need to get SOME exersice in, but I thought when I feel so crappy how can I even THINK of working out, Well you can say I got angry with myself when just last year I ended up in a wheelchair. I decided to fight back!!! and now I can walk without pain and I feel good about myself. And yes I am proud that most of my FM symptoms have gone into Remission:) so for the Question I only started seriously to get fit just about 7 months ago :)
 
Yeah this is a cool thread.
I can probably say that the only reason I got into exercise was b/c of my sister.She was always doing aerobics when we were growing up(shes 6 yrs older then me)and I think thats what got me into it.She moved home after she finished nursing school and she had all of these Buns of Steel workouts.I started on those and that when the not so healthy eating patterns set in.I didn't feed my body right.I wasn't overly thin but there was no extra meat on me.
In 1995 I got pregnat and gave birth in 1996.I started jogging shortly after,then I gave that up again.In 1997 I moved away and went to college,I started going out with my DH in Nov of '97, and of course I gained the freshmen 15 or the new relationship 15.In 1998 I got back into running and buying fitness mags.I also started watching my fat intake and I lost the 15 lbs I had gained.I saw an article in one of the mags,ratings aerobics videos.Cathes BM was there and I called my sister and read it out to her and that what I got for my B-day.Every since then I have been hooked on Cathe and running.I went from running 4 kms to 5 kms to 8 kms to 10 kms to 14 kms and that where I am to now.
Lori:)
 
Yes I have felt pressured. But I do believe its ME that the pressure comes from...:)...once I got the results I really wanted by changing my diet, I was so happy. Now that I've let go so to speak and lost some definition I know it is my fault and I am a bit annoyed at myself. But I am a fighter....and will get the definition back...:)...besides with Cathe and you guys....its great incentive!...:)...Carole
 
Hi Laurie! I started my fitness journey at the age of 31. Prior to that I wasn't any good at any sport except for swimming. I have a sedentary job & clothes started getting tighter & tighter so believe it or not I went to Living Well Lady!!!!! LOL I couldn't even pick up 5#s let alone do cardio. I remember to this day the first cardio class (step) I took. After the first 1/4 I was gasping for air & thought the instructor was NUTS!! She told me to sit down on a stationary bike & pedal. Thought she must have rocks in her head but did it anyway. I didn't get discouraged just kept forging ahead 3x a week then 4x then 5x & now I work out 6x a week. Over the years I've had memberships at different gyms one a 4 star gym that had an olympic style swimming pool. I love swimming & cycling the best. This year going to take up tennis lessons w/my son who's 12. Exercising is just like breathing for me. I'm now 50 & look 30 & never felt better. Been doing Cathe for 12 years & she's my motivator. What better person could you have? You brought back a lot of memories of friends, good times in the gym, after the gym get togethers, etc. Kathy:D
 
I got started back in the early 80's as a young teen, anyone remember on HBO they had these sexy ladies in an all white room on a rotating table doing some type of callestinics(sp?)to music? Well as a young girl entering her teens that looked cool. I started back with that and Jane Fonda's video tape along with an exercise bike. After school I would work out to that. As I entered High School I was old enough to join Elaine Powers. Did high Impact aerobic classes there along with leg machines.

During collage I didn't workout much but was very thin, didn't eat well. Got married, moved to England, came back to the states with two kids in 1993.Joined another step class (to learn what all this talk of stepping was...loved it) not a gym along with water aerobics in AZ. Got a collage catalog, called up and told them what I was looking for. Ordered Cathe's Step Heat and The Firm's vol. 3. That was back in mid/late '95 I think. Had gotten into Firming with that old wooden FL. Joined a gym in mid '96 went 4-5 times /per week. Stopped when I was trying to get pregnant again and lost 2 pregnancies while still going to the gym. Ended up on bedrest per doctor's orders ..had my lil girl in '98 then started slowly back using the Firm's classics but I really missed the intensity and feel of the gym so ...switched to only Cathe's tapes and here I am still :) Haven't joined any gyms but I do have access to the one on base but I find I just don't care for it anymore. I like working out at home without worrying if I'll get to the class late , someone in my spot or wiping up pools of sweat left behind by someone else...ewww!
 
I don't know what it was that finally clicked for me. I am 48 years old and for most of those years was totally inactive. I was somewhat active as a child, but also loved to eat. At 11 my mother had to put me on a diet because I was so pudgy. In my teenage years, I wasn't any more active and actually dispised PE class; I did love to dance (just in my room) and that seemed to be enough. I had small periods of time where I'd get on a diet/exercise plan, but would soon tire of the hard work. Finally, at age 47, something changed...I just couldn't stand being fat anymore. I had put on 50 pounds and was just sick and tired all the time. I saw an infomercial for the Firm and decided that since I had always like lifting weights (albeit, light 3 pounders, LOL) and that the combination of weight lifting and aerobics might work for me. I LOVED the very first workout I did--it was actually fun! I bought a few more of their workouts and discovered that I really did like to exercise. I've lost 44 pounds and more than 45 inches in a year and a half. I found Cathe about 4 months ago, and fell in love all over again with fitness! I had that same rush I did when I finished my first Firm tape. This is a new thing for me--I've NEVER EVER stayed with anything as long as this.
 
I was always active as a child. My parents rode bikes with us on the weekends, sometimes riding 20-30 miles and played softball. In high school I did aerobics and gymnastics. I joined a gym after my son was born and took classes until the day before my daughter was born. After my daughter was born, I started taking a group class with free weights and loved it.

We decided that we needed to move out of California so that my husband didnt have to commute 4-5 hours a day and could spend some time with the family. He got into a business where mergers and transfers were common. We moved 4 times in six years and I got lazy about exercising. I'd start getting back into shape occassionally but never stuck with it.

I decided that things needed to change in Dec 2002. My weight was almost 150 (the highest I have ever been), my blood pressure was up a little, I had gone for 9 months without a period and my stamina was very low. I also saw my cousin who has MS at Christmas. It made me realize how lucky I was to be able to do all the things I could do and guilty that I wasnt treating my body the way that I should. I bought a treadmill and some free weights. I started treadmilling, rollerblading and doing weights with Joyce Vedral. Then I started doing Cathe.

I've lost about 30lbs, have monthly periods, good blood pressure and can jog 4 miles. I feel so much better now that I am commited to staying healthy. I only wish that I hadnt let those years go by without staying on track.
 
Laurie...great idea!

Growing up in a family that smoked, had fried chicken and mashed potatoes (with butter) almost every day, drank like fish, and never exercised isn't really a good example of clean living :) So I exercised as little as possible (except when forced to in gym class) and had no idea what a healthy diet was all about. Throughout my early childhood years through high school and into college I picked up some really bad eating habits and didn't exercise at all.

Then it all changed. My junior year in college -- I dated a guy who was in the Marines and was really fit. We would go to the track so he could run. Of course, I hated being there. It only accentuated the fact that I was sooo out of shape. I would walk (not run) and still felt so tired and everything hurt. At this time, I had also put on about 15-20 pounds since high school (on a 5'1 frame...that's quite a bit). Though he doesn't know it -- he is the one who inspired me to get fit. So -- Scott Steiger...if you're out there -- thank you.

I bought my first exercise video -- Buns of Steel 2000 (w/abs) I couldn't believe how hard it was to get through it. I slowly added a few more videos (still the Buns of Steel 2000 series). One had a weights segment -- and I was dying with 3 lbs.

My progress seemed so slow (which I now am 100% sure is due to my diet). I stayed consistent, learned about healthy diets, added weight training. Eventually I started teaching step classes at a local gym. I lost those 15-20 pounds over the course of a few years. I've gained a tremendous amount of muscle -- especially since Cathe (and getting more protein in my diet).

I exercise every single day (with the exception of missing a day here and there when on vacation, holidays, etc). It is a part of me and I feel off without it. I feel strong and healthy -- most days anyway :) Of course, I have days when I feel like I'm not where I want to be (mostly centered around the diet). Even earlier this week I was feeling that way. But now this thread comes up and makes me realize just how far I've come -- even if it has taken me 11 years to get here. I did shoulder presses with 25 lb dumbells yesterday (and could have used 30's)...a far cry from those 3 pounders I used in the beginning.

Thank you Laurie for making me remember my accomplishments!

So to anyone reading this that may be in the beginning stages -- just stick with it. There will be ups and downs and it might be difficult -- but stay consistent and it really will start to be fun.

Shonie
 
Hi Laurie and everyone! Your stories are inspiring!

I was not a very athletic child but, like Carol, I enjoyed playing outside: kickball, kick the can, swimming, diving, doing gymnastics with friends, etc. My biggest challenge was running. I was S L O W and never liked it; I still don't. I wasn't great in Gym class (being a slow, awkward runner translates into less than stellar ability in a lot of other sports) but in my senior year of HS (1980), a teacher introduced "Slimnastics," which is similar to aerobics/toning. I found something athletic at which I was really good!

In my early 20's, I started waiting tables in a large restaurant which entailed 8 hrs of constantly walking at a fast clip. This seemed to have changed my metabolism, because ever since, I have had trouble keeping enough weight on. A couple years later, I remained purposefully active by taking aerobics classes and biking in the hilly area where I lived.

When I was 25, I discovered The Firm Vol 1 and did it every other night (alternating with Callanetics) for a year until I got Vols 2-6! It was such a thrill for this skinny woman to see muscles! I became an avid Firm user and remained so between pregnancies and babies. (My body did not want to work out when I was pregnant and had babies and, since I still had trouble keeping on weight, I listened to it.) I continued with the Firm until I found Cathe 2 1/2 yrs ago and, at 42, am in the best shape of my life! And Cathe workouts have done something for me The Firm and other workouts have never been able to do: give me stronger, more defined abs!
 
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