Why am I doing this again?

[f4f3]

Blonde222 asked me a very interesting question, which was what is my motivation for the sudden fitness craze. In the past I've always had a definite objective: usually to reach such and such a weight in a certain time. That's sometimes worked, and sometimes failed - I usually lose some weight, but eventually put it back on again.

The reasons for losing weight are health driven more than vanity (well, I would say that, wouldn’t I?) I’m relatively tall, and no matter how heavy I’ve gotten in the past tend to come across as, I think husky is possibly the mot juste, rather than fat.

But a year ago I was diagnosed with type two diabetes, and the marginally high blood pressure which I’ve always had became a serious issue (the two do not play well together) and I got shoved on some medication – for the blood pressure, not the diabetes. Combined with a history of strokes and heart disease in my two grandfathers, losing weight seems like a good idea.

This time my tack was a bit different. I started playing badminton again (which isn’t exercise, because I enjoy it) and noticed that I felt a little unfit, a little stiff, and definitely too slow. Pushing myself in games helped a little, but also showed up my limitations more, so I decided I would go back to the gym (I used to play badminton about three times a week for three hours and weight train twice a week. I was fitter then, and slimmer too). And I’m actually enjoying the gym. At the moment I’m still at the stage where I’m trying to build it into a habit, but we’ll see how it goes after a month or so….

Excuse me, I'm popping off to the gym now.

Comments

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

Mr Itchy is at risk of diabetes (father and grandfather had it, plus he's a little overweight). I'm trying to help him build a gym habit. It's easy for me - I've always exercised and rarely lack for energy - but this means I get rather frustrated when he does what I perceive as wussing out - it's also hard because he has a dodgy knee (so no running) and I'm not convinced he actually enjoys working up a good sweat. Well, not in the gym, anyway.

I'm dead impressed with your intent and commitment. Keep it up!

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Different strokes for different folks - which reminds me: how many did you take for your nine holes?

[pshtaku.livejournal.com]

61 dude!

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Now if only you had taken one more per hole.... And then one less....

[eidechsenengel.livejournal.com]

So very proud of you!! ;)

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Let's hope I can keep it up!

[morgaine-x.livejournal.com]

Damn good reasons!

[blonde222.livejournal.com]

Maybe I am picking hairs here, but I was thinking of goals as a little different from motivation. Motivation: to save oneself from early obesity-induced death/ enable oneself to be better at badminton... by goals I was thinking in terms of, are you aiming to lose a certain amount of weight/ drop a certain number of kilt sizes/ be able to run a mile in four and a half minutes etc etc?

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Yes, which is the way I've always gone about it in the past. I think my answer is that this time I don't have a goal - I want to incorporate exercise and healthier eating into the way I live. Does that count as a goal?

[blonde222.livejournal.com]

I spose. How will you know when you have got it though?

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

To be is to do - if I'm going to the gym 3-5 times a week, playing badminton two times a week, and not binging, then I'll be happy with what I'm doing. Won't make me a better person, but I will be a fitter one.

Plus, I've been feeling better for all this exercise - an end in itself.