It's a question I still think about A LOT. "Why did I really start exercising?" I've narrowed it down to two reasons but first let me start by saying I started exercising somewhat regularly at age 13. That seems very young but put simply I was INTO it. Oh and back to the "Why anyone would care?" question in a bit :)
Stretching...In the kitchen?!
It's one of the few vivid images I still have of my father...him stretching his hamstrings after a run. He would stretch em out in the kitchen - maybe he was anxious to eat after a long run?...
I was eating breakfast and I saw him stretching, I saw the look in his face - of accomplishment - he loved exercising, especially running and the marathons he ran expressed that. After he passed away due to a heart attack at age 50 those memories were even more etched in my mind. You see the reason why he hadn't passed away years earlier was because he had been exercising . If not for his commitment to exercising, no doubt I would not remember any of the wonderful memories I was blessed to have with him. I decided a couple of years later health had to be a priority in my life...
Perhaps it was vanity though...
So I was 13 and weighed 99 pounds and boy did I hear about it. From calling me "rake" to "twiggy" to "stick" I was teased a lot. It wasn't vicious but it was enough to get me motivated...I wanted to be BIGGER and STRONGER. To top it all off my brother David was in incredible shape - I was very jealous and wanted to have an incredible body too!
Does the reason why I started matter?
So I've come to the conclusion that I will always remember the sparks that helped me adopt a MUCH healthier lifestyle. I can proudly say I have been exercising consistently for over 20 years now! Along the way there have been many challenges and no doubt plenty more will arise. In the end the past serves for lessons learned the important thing is that I took action.
So why should you care?
The truth is most people will not care why I got started in this industry but I'll say this. If I could adopt a healthier lifestyle so can you. I had A LOT of challenges in getting started but I just did it. Sometimes you can't plan too much you just need to take ACTION. Many people wait for motivation before taking action. Take ACTION and the motivation will come! The more results you get the more motivated you will get!
Your time is NOW!
Maybe you have been exercising on a consistent basis as well - That's AWESOME! Maybe you're in a "fitness rut" and haven't trained in awhile Perhaps your workouts are lacking that extra passion ingredient. It's time to only take the great memories of the past and what you have learned and use it to build a better future. Take ACTION today and start having your greatest workouts. I challenge you but more importantly, find your inner fire and CHALLENGE YOURSELF!
My question to you is: What motivates YOU to lead a healthy, fitness-filled lifestyle?
In health and happiness,
Daniel Stone
If you'd like an answer to that question, it's easy. I look around at the elderly, and most are over weight, walking with a cane, hunched over or worse, in a wheel chair. They walk slow and without life in their steps.
I choose to walk with vigor until I leave this earth. I choose to be healthy, remain healthy, because it isn't hard to do.
Being fit is a lifestyle I suppose. So is choosing health over illness. Exercising is good for mental health as well. And having a glass of red wine can top off the day and be a healthy choice, so we don't need to give up "everything" to be fit and healthy. LOL.
So True! Too many people are focused on getting short-term results. Choosing health and fitness as a lifestyle is so much more enjoyable and usually goals are more attainable that way. As far as nutrition goes, there are so many healthy choices that are delicious too.
Thanks for your comments :)
thanks for the blog a found this intersting to read ,my answer is doing this only for our sick (health)
Enjoyed reading this all. You know what you're talking about