What can you do that you couldn't do 2 years ago?

morningstar

morningstar

Cathlete
I was feeling bad because I've gained a couple of pounds, and instead of dwelling on the negative, decided to think of all that I have done that I'm proud of over the past while. Maybe you'd like to join me in my love-for-self-fest! What have you accomplished, fitness-wise, in the last two years? Let's brag about ourselves!

  • For me, I never ran before two years ago and now I can run 88 minutes without a walk break.
  • I can sprint for very short distances at 21KM/hour.
  • I can do 36 push ups on my toes without stopping, and 360 push ups in a ten minute period.
  • I can do plyometrics without hurting my knees.
  • I can carry 60lb boxes.
  • I can do 100 squats, followed by 100 plie squats, followed by 100 wide squats without stopping and using a 75lb barbell (the most weight I can lift safely over my head).
  • I can do a wall squat with a 35lb weight in my lap for 5 minutes without a break.
  • I can make up my own workouts
  • I can swing a kettlebell with good form
  • I know what Tukish Get Ups are - and I can do them!
  • I can carry a 40lb backpack over extremely rugged terrain for 6 days
  • I can build a fire

But to keep me humble, I still can't do one damned pull up!

How about you? What do you rock at now that you couldn't do not so long ago? And what still keeps you humble?
 
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I participated in the Madison-Chicago 200 mile relay this past weekend. I sure couldn't have done that two years ago! What kept me humble was every other runner I saw on the course. It was an inspiring event.
 
Morningstar, my jaw dropped at your accomplishments! You go, girl!

My improvements over the past two years aren't nearly as dramatic, but here goes:

- I have developed an understanding of how to manage my knee issues (ACL reconstruction 11 years ago) and shoulder pain issues, using weight training and consistent stretching. Through 2 iterations of STS, I have built up my strength tremendously all over my body, and have not had knee or shoulder problems for ages.
- I can do plyometrics! I never thought this would be possible after my knee surgery. Not only did I get through STS Plyo Legs with tremendous performance gains, I can do everything in Shock Cardio. I'm currently in my fourth week of INSANITY and am having absolutely no problems. Amazing.
- I can carry my 60-lb daughter when necessary (I piggy-backed her quite a long distance recently when she hurt her foot while we were out for a walk).
- My cardio capacity is far beyond what it used to be. My resting heart rate is now in the high 40s/low 50s. I can manage DVDs like the IMAX's and BODY MAX's, which I simply could not do in their entirety, even just a year ago.
- Because of my intense workouts and cleaning up my diet (thanks in large part to the inspiration I get on this forum), I'm finally losing the weight that has been dogging me for the past 8 years! Down 17 lbs since the beginning of April, 13-15 to go. I'll make it.

What keeps me humble - I can't yet do a single pullup either.

Stebby :)
 
Well, since it's only been two years that I have been working out, I can do so much more. I can look in the mirror and be happy with all my improved muscle tone. I can lift a lot of weight compared to when I started. I can do 25 pullups in a w/o ( 3 at a time). I can also do Turkish Getups. What keeps me humble is my new Cathe poster, and seeing her muscles and knowing how far I still have to go. Linda
 
I can do 16 push-ups on my toes! I can do the whole 30/30 without pausing! I can do double-leg pikes on the stability ball!!

I can imagine eating clean and possibly becoming a pescetarian.

I'm with you Linda -- looking at Cathe's incredible physique keeps me humble.
 
I can run 5 miles without taking a walk break, 3.5 with hills ;)

I can do 36 push ups on my toes before I can't push myself back up

I can do 20 underhand pull ups before my form sucks and I drop to the ground

I can happily and healthily exist with no meat in my diet

what keeps me humble is my inability to do more than 5 tuck jumps without feeling like I'm going to pass out (and my legs never get really tucked) and I CAN'T do the double leg pikes on the stability ball -- there are other things that keep me humble in the fitness arena but that's the one that stands out to me.
 
Run 7 miles - and hopefully 13 by Labor Day!
I did the 100 push ups challenge - Never, ever, ever again :p
Stab ball pikes, double legs, and on occasion, single leg
8 chin ups
1 1/2 pull ups - still working on it
Wear size 10 pants :D
Make homemade burger buns - yum!!!

Nan
 
Hmmm... Two years ago I was in a place that I did not like one bit. I was recovering from foot surgery and was about 15 to 20 lbs heavier than I am now.

So, two years ago I was quite a bit heavier and unable to run, which I so dearly love to do.

These days I am:
-training for a fall marathon
-have run 3 5Ks in the past 6 weeks or so
-won first in my age group in two of those 5ks and 2nd in the other
 
This thread is inspiring in it's self...thanks for the reminder Morningstar!

Well here goes:

Two yrs ago I would not have been able to miss a workout with out beating myself up about it..not to mention innocent bystanders like poor dh.

I would not have thought I could maintain my muscles with a dvd since I thought they were just for cardio:rolleyes:

Two yrs ago...
I was not able to keep up with Cathe.
I had not met my best fitness friends through the 6 month sts alumni checkin.
I definitely wasn't doing pushups on my toes.
And plyo who?

What keeps me humble is that I still get winded trying to keep up with my nieces and nephews, Cathe and crews perfect push up form, and shaky legs on low ends!
 
Well (deep breath) here goes!

I can run - period.
I can ride my bike up steep hills without having to get off and walk it up anymore.
I can keep up with my 31 yo DH (well, almost!).
I have much greater CV endurance than ever before.
I can go without any inhalers for my asthma!
I can enjoy cooking healthy meals.
I can do 3 pullups!
I can do about 10 military pushups before dropping to my knees. (Still working on this one and the pullups for more!)
I can be confident in myself and not let what others think bother me.

I still can't fly a plane or scuba dive - yet!

There's nothing I can't do, really, just things I haven't tried yet!

Thanks Morningstar! This is another great post from you!
 
I can do 30 military push-ups, followed by 30 knee push ups.
I can do a headstand (yoga).

There are more little things but those two are the two I am most proud of.

Laura
 
Two years ago I was not, but now –


  • I was not aware of Cathe Friedrich, but now that I am she has changed my approach to exercise.

  • I was not exercising every day, but now I exercise or move my body vigorously in some way every day.

  • I was "skinny" fat, within a normal weight range but flabby, but now I have a lot more muscle and I’ve burned off a lot of fat.

  • I did not like to sweat or work hard, but now a good workout leaves me drenched and I love it.

  • I was not running at all, but now I am running 8 miles and training for a half marathon at the end of August.

  • I was not lifting weights in any way, but now I am lifting heavier and heavier weights and I love lifting slow and heavy.

  • I was not able to do push ups, nor did I want to, but now I can keep up with Cathe – except for those Elmo ones.

  • I did not know how to do Step, but now I am getting the hang of it.

  • I did not know anything about Kettlebells (a snatch is what exactly? And I want to supercharge it?), but now I am learning everything I can and loving it as much as I enjoy lifting slow and heavy.

  • I did not know how to bake artisan sourdough bread, but now I bake bread a couple of times a week.

  • Two years ago I had not met my best-est fitness friend, but now my day isn’t complete without ‘talking’ to her.

  • What humbles me -I don’t think I will ever be able to hold a wall squat for 5 minutes with a 35#db in my lap, but I can do 3 pull-ups and 1 chin up.

:D
 
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Wanted to add in confidence - it's grown by leaps and bounds!

I've done a 5k, a 10k, and an 8k, have the Warrior Dash this weekend, and signed up for a half marathon on Labor day.

That is sooooo not me. What if I don't make it? What if I come in last? What if I look stupid??

I've decided I don't care, at least I'm doing it, and that's what counts. So yeah, confidence and determination and acknowledgement of my own abilities. That's probably the best of all the good things that have happened!

Nan
 
spyrosmom said:
Wanted to add in confidence - it's grown by leaps and bounds!

I've done a 5k, a 10k, and an 8k, have the Warrior Dash this weekend, and signed up for a half marathon on Labor day.

That is sooooo not me. What if I don't make it? What if I come in last? What if I look stupid??

I've decided I don't care, at least I'm doing it, and that's what counts. So yeah, confidence and determination and acknowledgement of my own abilities. That's probably the best of all the good things that have happened!

Nan
Click to expand...


Nan, I would have to add your entire post to my list as well -- the confidence is unreal. I've only done the 5K but I have signed up for 2 10Ks and another 5K and the half marathon in October and I have decided those same things -- at least I'm doing it!! Love it!!
 
Great topic. I can tuck jump HAPPILY, I can run period and far without stopping, I'm good at step aerobics (never thought that would happen), I can do 50 push ups in one sitting, ummmm...the list goes on and on. I started out with Jillian, needed something harder and found Cathe (Nov 2008) and she is who got me to pick up my first heavy weight and it's been gravy ever since. I owe Cathe for a lot of my personal fitness achievements. I am trying to wait patiently (it's eating me up inside) for info about Cathe's new workouts that will be up for pre-order. Anyway, I can do more, but they don't come to mind right now...on my way out to run.
 
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Oh what a fun, fun post!!! :D okee dokee. here it goes, I'm not quite Superwoman, but working on it!! :rolleyes::D:eek: These are in no particular order.

1) I "crave" my workouts daily!! (almost every day, at least!):D Cathe inspires me now instead of being intimidating!! I NEED some sort of Cathe fix most days of the week!!

2) My cholesterol and other blood-work numbers are a zillion times better than two years ago and I am controlling it naturally, sans drugs.

3) I've become the fittest gal in my small-ish group of friends. The ONE who has shrunk seriously in inches and clothes sizes! And WILL CONTINUE to shrink, gosh darn it and fit into those darn size 8 Anne Taylor pants by October!!! :eek::eek: Wooohoooo!

4) I have discovered that I CAN succeed at being a single mom without as many freak-out moments!! :rolleyes::eek:

5) Bear-cubs breaking into my home while being home alone with my son is a very proud accomplishment and something I can laugh at now (albeit a bit nervously still!). I don't NEED a man/husband to fight my battles, big or small (or cute and furry- but still kinda scary!)

6) The Insanity 'warm-up' is officially a warm up and I'm begging for more!! BRING IT ON, Shaun!!!

7) I got re-baptized with my son and my relationship with God is of the utmost importance and He brings me peace even in the most difficult of times.

8) That hilly one-mile loop is barely a warm-up and doesn't do enough for my heart-rate and doesn't make me huff and puff (my Bichon needs it, though!)

9) I can lift weights and workout harder than I EVER dreamed of! I even have to buy heavier weights now and then!!!

10) I am MUCH fitter now at 44 than I was in my 20's or 30's!!

11) My Cathlete cyber-sisters are amongst my best friends who support, encourage and push me past my limitations!!

What an AWESOME post!!

Hugs,
Pam
 
LOVE reading everyone's posts!!! WOW!! What fabulous women!

I am a "plyo-queen" now. (So, my husband says)

I really feel like an athlete even more than when I was considered one.

My abs are getting back without any surgery from having twins.

I love being able to sprint up a flight of stairs w/o any hesitation, run, sprint, jump! Anything!

Love star jacks now!

Love to you ALL, fit Cathletes!!! :)
 
Turkish get ups are crazy-assed kettlebell exercises that are really hard to describe. Hell, even watching one performed doesn't really help that much.

Gotta say, everyone, I have really been enjoying reading all of your responses over the last couple of days. How amazing are we?!

PS. Travisli, love your new signature!

PPS. Janis, my day isn't complete without an email from my bestest fitness friend either, so where the hell is it? :D
 
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