Why do you workout?

C

cathe4me2

Cathlete
I thought it would be interesting to find out your reason for exercising. What was the trigger that started your exercise program? Was it for a health reason, be it medical, or for the cardio benefits? Was it because you wanted more strength, more muscle tone? What is your motivation?

Here is my reason. :D
This is hard for me to write because of my quest for normalacy. My wanting to be just like you. I talk about weight loss and lifting weights etc. but the main reason I work out is...I HAVE to.
The aesthetic benefits is purely a bonus.

It has taken me a long time to come to grips with the fact that I'm not normal. I had been in denial for many years. I remember that awful day at the clinic and my doctor came back with lab tests. He held my hand and said quite happily, "if we can keep the flares under control, the life expectancy for lupus patients is now UP to 10 years." I was floored to say the least!! This can't be happening to ME!
At that time, lupus was only found in my knees. It had since gone through my right eye and recently the nerve sheeves in my head, making them exposed and touching one another. By exposing the sheeves ( I forget the medical term at present) it made my brain think I was in constant pain.
My neurologist said I had a pain on switch that wouldn't go off. Medical therapy supposedly re-routed the pain to another part of the brain. But my head is extremely sensitive to cold, or just wind in general. I have to stay indoors most of the time. Execept in the summer. Oh how I love the summer! Even then I have to watch the wind and when it rains.

Early on, my team of specialists, said it would help to exercise my legs and not to be afraid of work them hard. Since I wanted to do all I could to eliminate this lupus pain, the advice was not a problem. I found though, that if I slacked off, my knees would swell, they would buckle when I would stand up and in a short space of time, I would not be able to walk. Being carried to the car is very humiliating.
During my worst flare up, my knees had to be tapped every two weeks. Try having this done without numbing the knee first. Been there done that. DH was in the room with me and he had tears in his eyes.
Anyway...
Working out, keeps my legs pain free. While working out doesn't totally eliminate my migraines, as weather fronts effect that as well. My brain thinks of every pain as a migraine, so OTC medicines will not work.

So even though my workouts are a necessity for my sanity and survival, they also give me the sense of being normal. When I'm working out to a video, I become part of the class. It becomes, 'hey I can do this, just like them.'
The added benefits of looking good, increased stamina, muscle definition are just a happy bonus and a stimulus to keep up my routine. Recently my DH said he always wants me to be with him because I could be his bodyguard. LOL (thanks to Cathe)

I workout around 2 hours a day. Some may have a problem with this high of a schedule. But I figure, I can't go outside and play tennis, golf, ski, or even do the shopping that just about everyone else can do. I don't have kids to drive to places and pick up. I can't drive as it triggers a migraine. So even though my workout may be more compact or concentrated in a particular time frame, I'm probably still doing less than what everyone else does by just doing 'life'.

My doctors are elated at what I've been able to do. They have been a great encouragement to keep up my routines. Outside of my migraines, I have been medicine free for several years now. My lupus screens have come back negative. That is a wonderful feeling to be told 'you are normal'.

Again, this has been hard to accept, but this is why I workout.
 
I started working out to get in shape and lose weight, but now do it also to keep my stress level down and energy level up. If I go a few days without it, I start feeling withdrawals. I still love the benefits of looking better, but the health benefits are definitely the most important.
Lynn
 
Hi Wanda! Wow, what an incredible story. Thank you for sharing that. Things like that make one realize that they're problems aren't as bad as they seem.

I started working out when I was 14. I was into the aerobics thing then. I worked out very religiously up until the beginning of 1999. All of a sudden I was in a lot of pain, pain from head to toe. My body would be so stiff when I would get up in the mornings, I was constantly tired and obviously in too much pain to even think about exercising. This went on for the rest of the year until that December when I saw a Rheumatologist. He immediately diagnosed it as Fibromyalgia and started me on Celebrex. The Celebrex worked like night and day. The pain stopped and the inflammation whent away. I could now exercise again. However it took a couple years to get back into a consistent mode. Last year I saw a new Rheumatologist to get a second opinion because I don't think its Fibromyalgia. I've never had the classic tender point triggers. Out of the 11 your supposed to have out of the 18, I have zero. The new doctor did more tests and everything came back normal. He switched my meds to Bextra and I've been fine ever since as long as I take the Bextra. The doctor also told me to keep up with my workouts since that's going to help me in the long run. Both of us don't think its Fibro but for now we're thinking that's the diagnosis to keep for now.

Last September I started back consistently working out after seeing a picture a friend took of me when I visited her in August. I didn't like what I saw one bit! I joined a gym closer to my house and have been religious ever since about working out.

I like how hard my body has become in such a short time. I'm loving every minute of it! I'm also starting to not hide my body so much under oversized clothing. That's a good feeling too. :)

Luz
 
I work out to be healthy and because of how it makes me feel. If, for some reason, I miss a couple of weeks, I feel lethargic and bloated. I also find since it makes me feel better about myself, I handle all aspects of my life in a more positive manner. I walk taller and have more confidence. I also need this outlet as I'm a high energy person and need some manner to release it. I come from an active family - my mom has been walking since the 60's before it was even popular!
 
Hi I originally worked out to lose weight, then to maintain the weight loss and now I do it to keep my triglycerides in check, even though they are still high, I keep thinking that if exercise lowers them, then what would they be if I DID'NT exercise!! Perish the thought. Plus I enjoy it and my body goes through withdrawal when I don't exercise. I am also sending a good message to my boys that exercise is important. Our bodies are a temple of God so we should take care of them as best as we can.

BTW Wanda, your story is great I know a lady who has lived over 10 with lupus and is doing great as far as I can tell. Keep up your great work!!
 
Wow, Wanda, thanks so much for sharing that with us. I do hope and pray your screens come back negative from now on.
I started to work out like the others to lose weight and get back in shape. I very quickly feel in love with exercise. I love moving and feeling strong. I love my heart pumping! :) I continue to workout out to keep me sane but more so I just love feeling healthy and fit and I don't want to ever go back to feeling sluggish and overweight again! Susan
 
Great question, especially in light of Jillybean leaving the forums. It's good to think of why you do something important to you. For me I was over 70 # overweight a few years back. One day it clicked, and I feel God gave me the grace and strength to do something about it. I went to a nutritionist and started to pull some old exercise tapes (firm) off the shelf and couldn't look in the mirror without
getting upset at myself for letting it get so far. But I stuck with it and lost over 70 lbs. During that time I had gotten addicted to exercise. I love the way it makes me feel, and I like looking healthy for my DH as well as having energy and feeling like i'm in my 20's again. I love the strength I've gained. I feel like God gave me the ability to do something healthy with my body, and I want to do it. I actually feel like my DH does when he plays his guitar or writes a song, when I exercise. It makes me feel like I'm doing what I was made to do. Even though it only really benefits me and perhaps my DH.
Faythe
--
http://www.glennhansenmusic.com
The online home of singer/songwriter/guitarist Glenn Hansen.
 
I work out now to combat age. I am 40 and have a two year old. I want to be healthy and fit so people don't accuse me of being her grandma instead of her mom. That's really only one of the reasons, and I say it rather tongue in cheek. I feel like exercise is just one of the necessary components of life. Staying fit helps me live better. Working out, I think for anyone is a winnning situation. There is probably a fitness program out there for just about anyone that would enrich their life. I hear people say all the time that they don't have energy to workout. The way I look at it, I don't have energy not to. For some reason the discipline of working out has a spillover in other areas. I am more organized and efficient. I feel like I think more clearly when I work out regularly and that just helps streamline things in my life.
 
I started working out 20 years ago (Jazzercise) to combat stress. I've since added weight training and yoga. Now that I'm 45, I still count on exercise for stress relief, but I've noticed some interesting things --

First, obesity and depression are rampant in my family and I'm completely untouched. People tell me that I'm the happiest person they know.

Also, my metabolism is the same as it was in my twenties.

I feel that exercise is almost a magic bullet to evening out moods.

Wanda -- Thanks for sharing your story, what an inspiration!

JuliN
 
Thank you for your story, Wanda! It really enriches me to hear how exercise has affected you. I have an acquaintance who has lupus, but none of the symptoms you describe. She does take walks and gets out a lot.

Anyway I am so happy for you.

The reason I exercise is to keep my metabolism humming, because I enjoy food, and to keep me pain-free at work as a dental hygienist.

Also, I have had arthritis in times of sedentary living. It seems that the heat generated by a good workout just keeps my joints lubricated and pain free.

In addition, my whole mom's side of the family has heart and cardiovascular disease. I want to set the odds in my favor there, as well as with osteoporosis and diabetes, I don't want those either.

Lastly, I have found exercise to be fun, a fun ritual all on its own.

Tomorrow I am going to ride my bike to work. Yippee!
-Connie
 
I have worked out for various different reasons over the years. I first started to work out because I wanted to get that Linda Hamilton Terminator look. I have yet to look like that but it is a good goal to have. Now, I work out so I can build up my upper body strength so I can buy myself a bigger motorcycle.(Hopefully this summer!!):p

Beth
 
Wanda, thanks for sharing. You are truly an inspiration to everyone.

This is kinda long, but I just couldn't stop typing!!!

My reasons for working out started back in 1984. I had battled being overweight as both a child and teenager only to deal with bulimia later in my very early 20's. After succesfully getting a handle on bulimia, I also went through a divorce. I knew how fragile I was then and how easy I could fall back into the eating disorded world so I began to run as a way of dealing with all the pain and stress that divorce has to offer. Even though some would say I was trading one obsession for another, I still felt it was a trade "up" and that I could only run so much before my body would say "enough"!

The benefits of stress reduction were immediate, but I also liked how I was starting to look and feel. I found the Firm back in 1986 and liked the healthy empowering feeling of weights and the new found muscle tone I was experiencing.

I also taught exercise for 7 years because I wanted to share my passion with others and to help anyone I could understand the benefits of healthy lifestyle. People that took my classes liked the fact that I was real, older, and had been through alot of body image and weight problems in my life and I could really identify with some of them.

The next new wonderful chapter in my "working out" life has been finding Cathe and everyone here at the forum. Cathe has taken my fitness goals to new levels and I am again meeting new wonderful challenges.

Ultimately, my daughter is the major reason I now work out. At 44, I can do all sorts of activities with her and her 8 year old friends like roller blade and play soccer etc. My future goals include being a rockin' granny to my grandchildren and their friends.....
 
Wanda, Thanks so much for sharing your story!! :) :) :) :)

I had been pretty sick for several years and hadn't worked out since before my first child was born (12 years ago). I really sought the Lord to show me some form of relief from my sickness and began working out. I can't believe how this transformed my whole system. I feel so much better. I want to be able to enjoy my 5 children and keep up with them. I hate being a spectator - I've never been one to watch a sport...I'd rather be playing. And the neatest thing has been my husbands response...He constantly tells me, "your so happy now". Now dh is working out and getting all excited too. I'm hoping I can motivate others to share in this wonderful feeling. Endorphins are like a drug only much better!!! I'm thankful the Lord has enabled me to get to this point, and to me it's like brushing my teeth, just part of the day and I can't imagine life without it!!!
 
Thanks for sharing your story! I work out because it seems to regulate everything for me. It helps my moods and keeps my muscles loose. I stiffen up terribly if I take more than a couple of days off. I'm also starting to get stronger, thanks to the PS series.

I think our bodies are designed to exercise and when we deprive ourselves of exercise, we suffer.
 
For many reasons:
To combat the negative effects of aging (the only positive effects I can think of have to do with the mind and the emotions rather than with the body);
To keep strong bones;
To stay pain free: If I don't keep my muscles at a certain strength, and if I don't keep muscle balance, my knees start to hurt just with walking and I have low back pain;
To have good posture;
To be and feel strong: I like to be self-sufficient, and be able to lift 50# bags of bird seed into my car. To carry my own luggage when I travel. And I plan on being able to carry my own weight as I get older;
One underlying reason that helps keep me going when these other reasons sometimes don't is vanity. I'll admit it...I like to look my best (though I'm still working on that!). And, while I can't do anything natural about the effects of gravity on my face, I can sure do my best to keep my body in shape so I look younger than I am.
 
Wanda, you're not alone. Looks like there are many of us on the forum that have unusual histories and/or reasons for working out.

I started working out seriously after I got out of college with the Firm tapes. I had always been underweight and very self-conscious. My goals was to develop healthy muscle tone and gain some weight. It took several years of this and a neighbor's friend asking her if I was anorexic to make me realize this method - aerobics with light weights - wasn't working for me.

A couple of years ago I discovered Cathe's PS series and found that heavy weight training is what I need to get results.

In addition to the aesthetics, I now exercise to ward off the effects of aging and the bone-depleting effects of steroid medication I have to take occasionally for ulcerative colitis.

Keep up the good work. I definitely believe our health can be greatly improved by healthy diet and regular exercise!

Angela
 
Mostly now days for the way it makes me feel. I love the endorphins and the feeling of being strong and able.

Edith
 
Thanks for sharing your story, and I hope that things go well for you in the future. Just keep a positive outlook...it can make a world of a difference!! :) I work out because ITS FUN!! I love challenges, and the feeling of acomplishment that comes with working out. Also I want to be stronger! When I was in high school I was able to do 35 regular pushups, now I can only do 15 or so. It helps soooo much with stress, and dealing with different things. Last but not least, to look better, and feel better. Added bonus=looking better on vacation at the beach this summer!!
-Purplesky1120
 
You girls are so awesome! :D If I were in the same room as you, I would give you a big hug.
In reading your stories as to why You work out, your reasons are not the 'Hollywood', cosmetic ones.
You have health reasons, some very serious, you want to prevent health problems from occuring, you want to be able to deal with the stresses in life, you want to lose weight to have more energy, to deal with pain and to be be a stronger, healthier you.

Just musing over this thread, I think we talk about the cosmetic benefits of exercise to others, the weight loss etc.; but our inner drive, the real motivation, is deep within us so we don't talk about it much. Not to minimize the weight loss, because that is a huge accomplishment, it just seems to me, that our drive is a more personal one.

That is why after doing a workout, we have that rush of excitement. The feeling of accomplishment. Because we were able to do this with the odds stacked against us. (Do I hear the theme song from Rocky playing in the background? :D) Yet no one fully understands our feeling (only fellow exercisers who are also overcoming the odds) because it truly is a personal one.

Those of you that have a family and or jobs, to still be able to find the strength and fit in the time to do your workouts is absolutely amazing to me.
But it is a must, right?

I very much appreciated reading your stories. The aesthetic benefits that we get from exercise is a great motivator. That is the part of ourselves I think we share with others more freely. Yet that is just the bonus, or the icing on the cake, so to speak. As our true reasons run much deeper than that. This shows, in my opinion, that we are not superficial. We aren't trying to fit into someone else's stereotype of what we are to look like or be able to do. We are real people, taking control of ourselves, trying to survive and to be the best we can be in the process.

Thank you for sharing your deepest and most personal thoughts as to why you workout. Hugs to each and everyone of you, Lynn, Luz, Jo, Annette, Susan, Faythe, Swissmom, hopeful, Julin, Connie, Beth, fitone, Briee, Jenne, Kathryn, Angela, Edith and purplesky.
 
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