Will you ever be satisfied with your fitness level?

M

MariaS

Cathlete
I'm curious to know how your fitness goals have changed over time? Do you find yourself upping your goals all the time, or do you ever reach a certain fitness level, and just concentrate on maintaining that? I mean in the end I suppose it boils down to how much time you actually can spend on working out, but do you think you'll ever actually feel satisfied with where you're at (or are you there already)? If not, where do you find your new challenges?

I know I started out basically just wanting to lose about 20 pounds and "tighten up some", whatever that means. However, I got hooked on exercising, ended up losing 35-40 pounds and now I'm able to complete Imaxes and basically all Cathes with little or no modifications. STarting out with some old Jane Fonda tape, I could never have dreamt of this. Now working out is a permanent part of my life, and I find myself upping my fitness goals, and challenging myself with better and healthier eating. My goals have changed so much over time, and I'm just wondering if I'll ever get to the "maintaining my current fitness level and weight" -portion. Are any of you there?

Enjoy the weekend,

Maria
 
I will eventually get to the point to where it is just maintaince, exercise is a permanent part of my life now....... Rhonda
 
ahh in a word..... YES.
However that doesn't mean I won't work to improve.
My "fitness level" is adequate if not greater than average. Goals for me include 1.not getting injured (from over use) and 2.Maintaining muscle mass & keeping fat layers to a minimum. A new goal is to be able to do some running with out stopping to walk. This is being worked at by doing some HIIT workouts with running intervals a few times per week.
 
Oddly enough, I do not think I will ever be truly satisfied, even though I know I should be. Strange I should read this question today since I good friend of mine asked me today about how we(meaning people like us who love to work out)define our goals....is it fitness related or weight/appearance related?? I think it depends on where you are in your own personal world...I think I am also an above average fit 40 year old. All the kids I work with (meaning 20&younger somethings)think I am the fittest person they know. But I still have so much to improve on...according to my world. This year I want to conquer a pullup...all that chatter about the power90x series. And no, can't even do one all by myself. But I will....
 
My goals have changed since I first started working out in August of 2002. When I first started I just wanted to be healthy and get some weight off. That evolved a bit once I found out I really DID enjoy working out so that I actually wanted to work out just because I enjoyed it. Now, I'm really enjoying seeing the muscles get sculpted and form and have decided I want to see them more...I don't intend to compete or anything like that, but I want to be able to see the muscles in my arms and legs and abs without flexing, lol. I still don't know if I can ever say I will be satisfied because the goals just seem evolve once I get close to meeting them.
 
Hi Maria,

I would have to say no, I will never be satisfied. I'm not sure if this is good or bad thing. Being very active in high school, I never worried much about my weight. But several inactive years later had added more than a few lbs to my body. I began running after the birth of my 1st child and lost some weight. My running continued even after my 3rd child. My lowest weight as an adult was when I was running 6 days a week and following a vegetarian diet. However, I have been doing aerobics forever it seems and began incorporating weight work about 12 yrs now. Cathe came into my life about 1998 I think, and I haven't stopped using her workouts, nor do I intend to.
My weight is more than it should be, but I fit comfortably in a size 8/10. After having my kids, my goal was to not be the fat mom at school. Now my goal is weight/loss and muscle definition. I exercise at least 6 and occassionally 7 days a week.

I am one of those who love to sweat and consider myself a cardio junkie. But seeing some muscle definition in my arms and legs is awesome, of course there is always room for improvement (and always will be).

Diana
 
Knowing myself the way I do I know that I will never be completely satisfied. Happy maybe, but I always know there is room for improvement. Like you Maria, my goals are continually changing. When I'm happy with cardio I work more on weights, when I'm happy with both I will probably want to improve flexibility or something. It's ok that I'm not satisfied, I'm used to it :) My husband has defined it as a perfectionist problem, a stressor in life to never be satisfied, and I see it more as a drive. Just be sure to see how far you've come when you look down the road to where ever you're going.
 
I am pushing 47 and very fit. I am satisfied, in fact to tell the truth, I am impressed and proud of my fitness level and my body. Of course I have a few small blubber flaps I'd love to see myself without and my boobs are pathetic but no amount of exercise will fix them.

My goals are to avoid injury and tread water as long as I can. In the back of my mind, I'd like to lose 5 lbs, but if I don't that's really ok. It's freaking incredible how out of shape 99.8% of my peer group is so that's also a source of perspective.

I did keep wanting to improve my fitness levels, but maybe 5 years ago, I realized I had reached the point of diminishing returns. I wasn't willing to workout any harder or longer and since I broke my legs in my youth, I have to be careful with my knees.
 
No. Not improving sounds too much like complacency to me. I believe there is always room to improve the body and the mind. I was really excited hearing about the P90X workouts because now I know I can step up another notch.
 
I'll always be fishing for greater challenges. The training effect always renders today's challenge tomorrow's oh-well. Kinda cool, when you think about it.

A-Jock
 
Hi Maria! My fitness journey has consisted of 19 yrs. You keep challenging yourself to get better & better by increasing weight as well as w/cardio; its a steady upward climb as the years go by. I've learned so much over the years from these forums as far as nutrition & workouts. Cathe's tapes give me exactly what I need from weight training to cardio I'm never at a loss for being challenged & thoroughly worked out. Yes I miss the gym very much especially certain machines that worked my legs in record time. Some day I'll get back there again but for now I'm very satisfied w/my fitness level & the way I look at age 50. Kathy:D
 
Yes.. I'm happy with my fitness level. That doesn't mean I don't push myself but I know I'm in good shape and enjoy that.

I think it's an age thing by 40s you are able to say Wow I'm really in great shape and pat yourself on the back for it. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to enjoy where you are :)

I'd be curious to know if it is an age thing
 
As a 51 year old, I can honestly say that we need to appreciate how far we have come, even if we aren't perfect. Last Novemeber I was the fittest I have ever been and I have been exercising for 23+ years. I truly didn't appreciate how far I had come. I finally just found the magic that worked for me by combining my Hi/Lo classes, with a couple extra days of INTENSE cardio from Cathe and also her weight tapes. Right now, since I am still trying to comeback from an injury (not quite there yet) I really do appreciate what I HAD and I know the great feeling it was so I intend to get back there some day as soon as I am able. It is not a race, just take it a day at a time, do the best you can and feel good about what you ARE achieving at the moment even if it's just lil' bits & pieces. Some day it will all come together!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Thanks for all your thoughts, lots of very good points there! I totally agree that even though you might find new goals to go for, it's very important to also acknowledge how far you've come and feel good about that. I tend to lean towards perfectionism sometimes, so I do find that a lurking danger... the point of exercise is to feel good and healthy, not stressed out.

Maria
 
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