Vote in This Week's Poll: Who or what influences you about exercise and fitness?
That first run was a disaster but, years later, I'm still running which tells me my sister's influence ended up being a positive thing (unlike the time she told me to drink only grapefruit juice to lose weight. Um, not such a good idea).
We're all influenced by people in our lives and by all the information floating around, pushing and pulling us in different directions. If a friend raves about a new diet or a co-worker talks about how he lost 20 pounds with a new exercise program, you may think, "Hm, maybe I should try that."
I'm curious about who or what influences you when it comes to health and fitness. Your friends and family? What you read on the Internet or in magazines? The latest new diet or trend? Vote in this week's poll and leave a comment about your experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly.
Comments
I can only say that it is my body that influences me to lose weight or stay fit. Yes, my husband helps too but it is more in the way I feel and how I see myself. Friends are good in helping me stay on track.
Number one reason: I really like being alive
Number two reason: I desire and appreciate a high level of “quality of life”
Vanity! At my all-male high school, a chaplain told a group of us that unlike boys, girls being of nobler nature didn’t care what boys looked like. A few years later in college, I was fraternity boy, had gotten into the best shape of my life and had gotten a letter on the boxing team; by the time summer and beach time came around a few months later, my pecs had turned to flab and my six-pack into a keg, I was a mess and in swimming trunks I couldn’t get a date, although fully clothed the was little problem. Could the priest have been mistaken about the superior spirituality of girls? I started a routine of keeping fit and am now addicted.
I started exercising in the 80’s with Body Electric, Bodies in Motion & any other exercise show on T.V. Now I buy workout videos or do my own thing to music. I live alone so I have time to really indulge. If I miss a day or two, I feel sluggish. Exercising, to me, is like a drug. I really need it every day. Variety is also the best motivator to keep going.
I put other because the fear of health problems motivates me and I used to be a powerlifter and the idea of what I used to look like spurs me on.
I’m motivated by information and knowledge. The more I know about why I should exercise, the more motivated I am. My new habit is one fitness or nutrition book per month but even just some of the blogs I subscribe to give awesome info.
Weight loss shows on tv influence me.
I picked coworkers because most are tubs of blubber with skin. I have no desire to allow myself to fall to the way side like that. Been there done that.
Many things influence me. This column obviously influences me, because I keep it linked on my homepage and check it each time there is a new article. I also read Prevention magazine, and I get emails from Tom Venuto’s website - he is very, imo, inspirational, and his new book is just the best. I also am motivated when my body is very healthy - I can feel a huge difference.
I put other, because it’s the majority of the people I see, that are my age,(43) that look so much older and unhealthy.That, and a bad back keep me going to the gym everyday.
Two things in combination influence my exercise: my love of trying new things and my (stubborn?) desire to meet challenges.
I find something I want to try and set myself up for a challenge (doing activity X, Y times a week, for Z length of time). If I enjoy it, it sticks long term. I recently put myself up to a 30 Day Yoga Challenge. I loved it so much (and what it does for my body/mind) that I am still doing daily yoga.
To fight chronic illness. I have gone from bed ridden to working out 5 days a week and even though I have Lyme disease, my over all health is better than before I contracted the disease. I just started one step at a time and over 4 years I have become super healthy and turned the biological clock back 10 years or more. Intense pain is a great motivator!
My family and friends do influence me-against exercise and healthy eating! I have to rely on myself for motivation.
Usually, a photo of myself will inspire me when I have been lax.
I hate exercise, and I’m the only one of my family that exercises regularly. However, I say that my family influences me because my genes are rampant with chronic diseases, especially Diabetes. My 30 year old sister was recently diagnosed with Diabetes 1, and she’s not even over-weight. I know that if I don’t work at keeping my body healthy I’m next to receive the diagnosis.
I feel like it’s my destiny that I’ll end up with Diabetes, or Blood Pressure Problems, or any of the other problems in my genes, so I’m motivated by the idea that I need to exercise now, while I can, so I can hold off the inevitable as long as possible.
Also, my husband and I hike in the mountains frequently and I would always huff and puff my way to the top (no, I’ve never been a smoker). I was influenced to strengthen my lungs so I don’t hold up the hike and have to see him staring at me, waiting for me to catch my breath so we can proceed a few steps before pausing again. He never said anything, but he seemed so bored! I felt like I needed to do better so he could enjoy the hikes, which influences me to keep working my cardio to keep up my lung capacity.
My friend wanted to lose some pregnancy weight so we started running. Our goal was to run the FunFest 8k, a pretty big event for our little town. We did it, we did waaaay better than we ever thought we would and we had a lot of fun training for it an complaining about it. It’s become some kind of friendship ritual for us. I’m glad - it keeps me running
For me its a combination of vanity and the determination to age well. I know that regular excercise will not only keep me looking better and more fit but it will also keep me healthier as I approach and eventually pass the big 40! I want to be the healthiest 80 year old I can be!
CerryB — your post gave me a chuckle.
I was reminded of my high school days… year after year after year (from 7th through 12th grade) my soccer buddy and I would join the track team to keep in shape for soccer. And year after year after year we would complain about the track practices and ask why we put ourselves through them.
Now, ten years later, we’ve built a lasting friendship that has spanned time and distance (She’s in NY and I’m in Virginia)and we remind each other about those days when we discuss our current workout routines. And to this day, neither of us likes running but we continue to put ourselves through it.
What got me started exercising every day was my daughter. In high school, she was on swim teams and was in very good shape. I decided that I wanted her to be proud of her mom, so I started to make exercising a habit. She is now over 30 years old and I am still going to the gym 5 days a week. My husband and I both look 10 years younger and feel great. I still worry about my shape and would like to lose weight; but, ultimately, I know I am fit and strong. Incidently, she still is very active and fit, as well!
My wife and I spur each other on; when one of us is feeling tired or lazy; the other one encourages or cajoles or generally bugs the lazy partner until we get moving again.
Simple: VANITY!
God inspires me most. I chose an unhealthy way to lose weight that lead me to a very hard and dangerous lifestyle. God responded to my cry for help and so now out of my love for him I am learning to battle my weight the right way!
Paige - Your column ! a great influence. The long line at the deli - with mostly obese people. Athletes at the gym. Elderly folks who are mobile and spry. Watching the next person get on the machine I justed used and see them lowering the weights….he he he……
I was first motivated by fear of early death and after that got me started, feeling so much better keeps me going. I love my life and live a life now that I never knew that I could. I have lost over 100lbs, gotten off of diabetes medication and high blood pressure medication, lead a walking club at work, changed my taste buds entirely and am loving every moment of it. Good health is a wonderful, wonderful thing! When you enjoy it, it is almost effortless!
My Pilates instructor motivates me–even though I’m sure sometimes he thinks I’m totally unmotivated. His encouragement to stick it out to see the results has kept me going.
Wanting to have the confidence in the way I look for myself comes first. Second would be wanting to look fit and toned for my hubby. I know that having less body fat is greater for overall health and warding off diseases, particulary heart disease which equals living a longer, happier life.
I’d have to say what influences me is seeing how most people let themselves go these days and how poor their health is because of it. I also don’t like how people say Americans are fat pigs, etc. I like to prove that wrong.
What influences me is my father. He smoked for 40 years. When he was 42 he was diagnosed with COPD and put on oxygen and disability. He was alsways the strongest man in the WORLD and pretty fit and active! At least until that day. A year after he was diagnosed he weighed over 300lbs. He never moves,,,just sits and gets bigger and now he even has diabetes.
I quit smoking when he was became sick and because of all of his other health problems associated with his weight, I have worked out regularly for the past 8 or 9 years. Cardio, weight lifting, yoga and everything in between. I’m addicted and I don’t want to stop. I am almost 36 years old and in the BEST shape of my life! I will not do to myself and my family what my father has done.
He’s still my hero,, and I still go to him with things,, but his life could have been so much better.
Vanity for the most part…I want to look good period. However, living a healthy lifestyle is not only benefiting me but my children too. They see me running, they want to get out on the weekend and go running. They are my weekend motivators.