The long and short of it
This post practically writes itself.
Or more, more aptly put, I’d like to think it’s a post which finds you nodding your head and thinking: “I’ve been there.”
When I was there—and there for a while—the struggle to find real motivation was a lonely one.
I have mentioned (a million times) I started this journey for superficial reasons. Living a healthy lifestyle sounded nice, but fitting into a bikini for spring break sounded a whole lot nicer.
I was young. Fifty was *old* to me then and I couldn’t see why how I looked let alone felt would matter at that point. Life was pretty much over by 30 —or so I thought.
I cared not about learning and maintaining healthy habits. I cared a lot about catching the eye of the college boys who were, uh, ‘gathering’ in Ft Lauderdale in a few months. I know. I cringe for my younger-self now, too.
I made the decision (lose the beer gut by spring break). I found the motivation (Victoria’s Secret bikini). I was on fire.
I focused on my goals. I achieved my goals. I went on spring break.
I tossed my habits out the window (insert inappropriate joke here about better the habits than the bikini top). I came back from vacation a few pounds heavier (three cheers for the all beer diet) and soon after regained everything I’d lost.
And, in a way which I couldn’t see back then, it all made perfect sense.
I lacked any real motivation to stick to my plan and it was another four years before I did the work and uncovered three reasons which still motivate me today.
I want to live longer. I hate cardio. I disagree with those who say “you can discover a form of cardio you enjoy!” I’ve discovered cardio I’ll do, but that’s different. How do I motivate myself to do the cardio? I know the benefits for my heart outweigh my hate.
I want to live more vitally. I joke about fearing being the ‘old mom’ at my daughter’s high school or college graduation. More truth is, indeed, said in jest. I now grasp the advantages of eating healthy are not just to fit the long gone Victoria’s Secret bikini, but for more important stuff: energy, strength, and yes good digestive health.
I want functional fitness. I adore the fact I don’t need to ask for assistance when bringing inside my Costco haul. I’m proud of how easily I toss my luggage into the overhead airplane bin. I’m highly motivated, especially at age 42 and a half to maintain these and other functional fitness ‘skills.’
Have you found your motivation for staying healthy & fit changed over time, too?
Was this shift to suit changing needs or did you, like I, have to do emotional-work to uncover reasons for real motivation?
Be well!
Carla
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Mar 08, 2012 @ 09:08:00
I way to close to approaching my 60th birthday. And was SHOCKED last year when 2 different doctors told me that me that I would likely live another 40 -50 years. I’ve seen old people continue on feeble and helpless. NOT the future I want for myself.
So I exercise. I do the hated cardio. I eat not only for the taste this moment, but also for the health in that biteful. And for the future. I work to be the best me I can be for the next 50 years.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 00:24:00
This is really important I think Carla. My reasons for losing weight are always about others: so men find me attractive; so people don’t judge me; so I can wear decent clothes (ie. looking better for others)… and so rarely about me. Even now I struggle with it.
However, the functional fitness motivation speaks to me. I still have 15+kg to lose, but 25kg ago I struggled when I walked up stairs. My stomach often felt in the way and occasionally I found it difficult to take deep breaths and I wondered how much fat was in the way of my internal organs!
I know, however, I need to find other reasons – intrinsic motivations that can drive me.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 01:02:00
Oh goodness gracious YES!! My motivation train has jumped tracks so many times it’s probably running backwards and on it’s side by now@twitter-147063262:disqus
Much like you, I had to work on ‘me’ in ways outside of the fitness world to really uncover the reasons why I wanted/needed to be healthy. Not skinny. Not a size 4. But healthy.
I still lose sight of that now and again, but with maturity (and 3 young kids around to keep me humble) I find it easier to remember
Mar 15, 2012 @ 01:06:00
I want to live longer, yes. But live fuller! Sometimes I need to hit fresh big time… like a few years ago.. But sometimes I need a mini-fresher like right now when I get back from a vacation. Thanks for always being a positive influence. xoxo
Mar 15, 2012 @ 02:37:00
I have to agree with all of your reasons for being motivated. I feel the same way. I love the way I feel when I’m exercising and eating healthy daily, there’s nothign like it!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 02:46:00
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I really do giggle I kind of laughed AT functional fitness when I started down this path—and now thats a tremendous part of my motivation.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 02:59:00
My motivation changes daily but mostly it’s the challenges I present myself and the results that keep me motivated. =)
Mar 15, 2012 @ 03:19:00
functional fitness not only keeps my body healthy, but my mind. Motivation to live FULLER.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 03:20:00
that is it huh, Lindsay? it’s about leaping out of bed—which is something I never did over skinny jeans
Mar 15, 2012 @ 03:21:00
Mm, what do you do when your road to fitness is full of obstacles? I hate it that I have a high-maintenance body that doesn’t just accept everything I throw at it – I need to be very careful about how I train and it’s very frustrating.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 03:31:00
I get that too Satu. And as I age it has been one big “ok Ill try this. NOPE! that hurts my back and not in a good way NEXT!!!” kind of thing. I dont do boot camps for that reason. Ive been called “soft core” (as opposed to hardcore
) for that reason. I just get up each morning and try again.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 12:04:00
Thanks, Carla! In that case I’m going to call myself soft core from now on
Mar 15, 2012 @ 03:51:00
My motivation is my health and overall well-being. At first the thought of fitting into a sexy VS bikini was awesome (I bought 4) but then I realized and felt all the beneFITs I was getting from feeding my body with good food, exercise and proper balance. The results spoke for themselves (and I don’t just mean that physically!). Let’ s just say, I wouldn’t go back to the sedentary me. Ever. Great post
Mar 15, 2012 @ 03:59:00
As I age, I can tell my body needs a lot more deliberate care (proper eating, exercise, sleep, stress relief). My personal challenge is to feel the best I can each day and that takes a series of good choices…it doesn’t just “happen” like it did in my 20′s.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 04:02:00
SUCH awesome “reasons” to stay motivated — I particuarly dig the “live vitally” mantra!! You are an incredible inspiration!!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 04:22:00
“DELIBERATE CARE.” Love love love. Barbara.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 04:37:00
Carla, as you read about me, I lost weight young & for superficial reasons. They stayed that way for a few years but I still kept the weight off with a few bumps. As I aged, reasons changed. I did not resolve all my issues but my want to be be healthy & fit & taking care of myself long term stuck. I kept pushing myself as I aged to do better. Like you, I am not a cardio fan but I do it & it challenges me. Weights – I could overtrain all day!
I think as we get older, it really hits us how important it is! At Costco the other day, I stopped to help a lady my age lift a case of water into her car cause I knew she would not be able to do it. It feels great to be able to do things for myself & also feel fit & healthy. So at 54. 5 years old, now I have to see what 55 & up brings!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 05:26:00
LOVED this, Carla!! You have got to be one of the most relatable WL stories that I’ve read! Fitness IS so accessible! Especially when you have the long-term effects in mind!!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 06:06:00
jump roping with the Tornado is TOTALLY cardio.
Mar 15, 2012 @ 17:45:00
Roping is what cowboys do…jumping rope I think is the term you want! ;-)
Mar 15, 2012 @ 07:06:00
Great post, Carla! I love the idea of not just existing, but living with vitality. That really strikes a chord with me! And functional fitness is chiefly how I train others and myself – it’s good to have other, more specific goals, but I’m more of a “train now so you can keep doing the things you want to do well later!” type of trainer. Thanks for sharing these thoughts – true motivation!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 07:44:00
I’m on the band wagon – amazing post. And could not have come at a better time for me as I contemplate make some significant changes myself. You are an inspiration and likely to be one of the hottest moms on the block
Mar 15, 2012 @ 08:06:00
When I was 20 (over 20 years ago!) I lost 40 lbs., initially for the wrong reasons: I was sick of being chubby. But as I learned to eat better and exercise regularly, it woke me up to the right reasons – I felt so. damn. good. I’ve kept that off, and now at age 42 1/2 (just like you), after 2 cancer diagnoses, chronic arthritis, a young child and middle-age, I STILL love the feeling of being fit and, as you say, vital. Eating well and exercising every day help me feel terrific. And I won’t lie and say I don’t enjoy seeing attendants gape as I hoist my stuff into the overhead, or haul my heavy grocery bags around, either. I like to say, “I’m small, but mighty!” Great post!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 16:09:00
It does blow my mind how much our reasons change over time!! I definitely started the journey just thinking about looking better, but now I truly want to feel great
Mar 15, 2012 @ 17:44:00
Started at 16-found my passion in running and then lifting/cycling/swimming and everything else in between. Not for anyone but me because I love motion and being able to “go” for 12-15 hours at a time. Up to run, then work at a fast-paced middle school job, then one more workout before dinner and whatever the evening brings.
At almost 60 I have WAY more energy than much younger co-workers, or even the kids themselves. I can keep up! (Plus I can still wear my H.S. clothes so I don’t have to have double wardrobes like many of my friends-you know-fat jeans/skinny jeans? P.S. I don’t own a scale…
Mar 15, 2012 @ 18:50:00
This is so relatable! Thank you Miz!
Mar 15, 2012 @ 19:59:00
Love this post Miz! Embrace your lifestyle and fitness! It’s so much more than a bikini! 42.5 years young!
Mar 16, 2012 @ 04:50:00
I love you–wish you lived near me to kick my butt. I stopped seeing exercise as a calorie burner after I had my kids and my antidepressants didn’t work. An hour on my stationary bike in the morning (not even every morning, just most mornings) picked up my mood like nothing else. When I feel stressed out, or sick, or just not up to going balls to the wall with intervals or weights, I’ll still turn to the elliptical, whip out my ipod and a People magazine, and get my sweat on. While I feel a little guilty, now that cardio is the ugly stepchild of the fitness movement, I still love the way I feel when I’m done. I’m almost 47 years old and am working on my strength so I don’t get weak and hunchbacked and brittle boned. At 130 lbs., I’ve deadlifted 210 and am hoping to get up to 260. Thinking of my body as functional, not ornamental, helps to keep my head on straight. I still have food issues, but I can definitely say that exercise will ALWAYS be a part of my life, no matter what.
Mar 17, 2012 @ 16:57:00
All those years when my motivation was solely “to get skinny & look good” and nothing came of it. I went from 120 to 215 over 10 years. It was only once my motivation became “if I don’t do it now (at 40) I won’t be able to do it at all” did I finally get there. I want to live forever. And, if that’s impossible, then as long as I possibly can. Not only have I lost 63 lbs, and kept it off for over 6 mths, but I now have muscles that you can actually see. A lot of that is due to you, Carla. Being a good role model for my kids (17 & 15) is something I learnt from you. Keep up the “real”.