Why do you want to get in shape?

Why I want to get in shape:

1. I'm pretty much addicted to the way my muscles feel the next day after a hard workout in ballet.
2. I love the muscular control I get over my body in daily movements like sitting and walking.
3. Ballet gets more and more fun the more you are in shape
4. I like the long-lasting energy-feeling I have as a result of my strong heart and lungs. When everybody else is dead tired from site seeing, hiking or just a regular day at work, I can still keep on going...
5. it's useful

to give God glory! my body is his temple and in the past like alot of christians have not taken care of it..but now God has blessed me with health principles..and my life is changing...feeling looking and being abudant!

catalyst said:

Powerlifter.....

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Awesome! What kind of poundage are you moving?

Wisdom Seeker said:

Thanks. Just sharing.

Yes. That picture was taken in 1999 when I was 37. I don't have anything more recent. But, aside from a few more wrinkles around my eyes and shoulder length hair instead of middle of the waste length....it still looks like me. I wish more people would use their own picture as their avatar. It just feels more personal to be looking at someone's face when you're talking to them.

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OK... you knew this was coming: You look marvelous! So cut the poo about looking older than your age.

I think a digital camera is in the not-too-distant future for my family, so I suppose I could check into the whole avatar thingie then...

Have a WONDERFUL day, everyone!

retooferab said:

Awesome! What kind of poundage are you moving?

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<sigh>

This is the internet, where everyone can lift a metric ton.



I am a national level lifter in the 242lbs. class. Let's just leave it at that.

Heheheh! I know what you mean 'bout the internet... but this board is special! God'll give us the blue screen of death if we lie here! Anyway, look, I can only bench my body weight, squat a little more than that, and deadlift a little more than that. Does that sound about right in terms of weights in each lift relative to each other? I've just started the more compound movements with heavy weights trying to add size to myself. Though I was afraid of them at first, I'm really enjoying the pain now!! Anyway, all the best to you, even if you're too chicken to post how much you lift!

**retooferab thinking, "I can probably out-run a big dude like that!"**

Fortunately for me, I'm not overweight, and I can attribute such bragging rights to healthy eating habits and regular exercise.

I exercise because I feel better on days that I do. Plus, I'm assuming it will help me live longer.

retooferab said:

Heheheh! I know what you mean 'bout the internet... but this board is special! God'll give us the blue screen of death if we lie here! Anyway, look, I can only bench my body weight, squat a little more than that, and deadlift a little more than that. Does that sound about right in terms of weights in each lift relative to each other? I've just started the more compound movements with heavy weights trying to add size to myself. Though I was afraid of them at first, I'm really enjoying the pain now!! Anyway, all the best to you, even if you're too chicken to post how much you lift!

**retooferab thinking, "I can probably out-run a big dude like that!"**

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It depends, actually. The relationship between size and strength is not linear, so the heavier you are, the lower your relative strength will be. In my case, as I wanted my total to increase, I climbed weight classes, so my 1RM's all increased, but my relative strength decreased.

If you have just started, do not worry so much about what you are lifting but rather how you are lifting it. Technique is everything. You have the rest of your life to add weight to the bar.

I like being in shape because I feel better when I exercise on a regular basis and watch my diet.

The more efficient my body is the less sleep I need, which means I can stay out later and do more physical activities.

I've been on this quest since I was in college to be in the best shape I could possibly be. It started 18 yrs ago. Wow, I can't believe I'm 36 and it's been that long.

I was always the last person ever picked in gym class...how sad, eh? I even didn't get to play on the little league team that my own father sponsored. I was known as such a klutz and so uncoordinated. It's ok, I've gotten over all these things. God is awesome.

In college I said that I would become great at one sport. I worked so hard and got to play for my university for racquetball for my last 2 yrs. Imagine that. It wasn't easy playing sports, getting my engineering degree, and a host of other things. Only by the grace of God. It was important to me to shed that klutzy girl image. I learned about weightlifting & running then, but my eating habits were erratic & poor.

Had always been a Type A, super stressed out person. The years of stress abuse, lack of sleep, erratic eating has wreaked havoc on my health. Also, not understanding the impact of food, the amounts, the types, ratios, etc has also impeded me getting to my optimal health & fitness.

Have never been one to take the easy path or do some quick fix, but somehow the road to getting in shape has been a long one filled with many trials & tribulations, which some seem to get there much quicker. I've always wanted to learn why, how do things work, why does this work or doesn't. Plus, I'm big into documenting my progress, which has helped me understand so much better and to see trends, to make adjustments, be open to learning. This also helps me better sort through the vast amounts of information available out there.

So, why do I want to get in shape? Numerous reasons.

1. Quality of life & health.
2. One day be that little ole 80 yr old lady who is making pretty good time in that marathon or triathlon.
3. Run & play with my husband, children, and one day grandchildren.
4. It's a lifelong dream -- to prove to myself I can do it; and when I do, I'll know why.
5. I love being active, exercise, weightlifting, running, all sorts of things.
6. I love the feeling of muscles, being strong.....knowing that I've worked hard, and no one gave this to me.
7. To one day be a role model to others.
8. To help others overcome their fitness & health struggles, to make a difference in the lives of others in this area.
9. Lastly, there is some vanity in this....but, little. It's nice to look good.

BTW, my avatar is not a picture of me....but, it is one of my role-models in fitness. One day.