Have you ever received inspiration even when you didn’t realize you
needed it?
I didn’t go looking for inspiration on Saturday morning, but I got some.
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| I didn't have any photos of the Y that I could use on the blog, but I'm showing some photos from my usual outside walking route. |
I was up early and out taking photographs for a special project we’re
doing for the newspaper. I spent some time at the Altavista Area YMCA, the wonderful local Y in our town.
Larry and I belong to Y, but we haven’t been using our membership much
lately. It’s one of those things that we pay for every month, but forget about
using.
Or, rather, we don’t make it priority to use it.
Or, rather, we drive by after eating dinner out and tell each other, “You
know, we really need to go to the Y.”
I got some photos of people doing what they do at the Y—lifting weights,
taking a class, using the exercise machines.
I also had a couple of conversations with people about why they
exercise.
Being around people working out reminds me of how good it feels when I
work out.
Hearing about why others exercise reminds me that people have many
reasons for moving their bodies in deliberate ways: to improve their health, to
fight the effects of aging, to feel better.
In a recent post, I wrote
about my need to lose weight. I’ve been making small steps in eating less, but
I haven’t done much on the exercise front except doing the plantar fasciitis
exercises.
On Saturday at the Y, I picked up the new class schedules for the fall.
On Sunday, I sat down and made out a schedule for my exercise for this week. It
includes using the Y.
And if I feel my motivation faltering? I’ll just go hang out with others
who are working out and get inspired again.
What inspires you to keep working towards a goal?
Hi Tina, lovely photos! What inspires me to keep working towards a goal is the end result. For example, what keeps me going on my walks is the fact that I feel better and more energetic...and calmer when I do my walks. All around happier!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. That's a good way to look at a goal--to think about the good results you get. I will try to do that, too.
DeleteGood idea, Tina. Being around others doing the things we want to do is inspirational. There are so many times I want to get out and take a bike ride around the neighborhood. Sometimes I just have to force myself to do it and say just a little ride; it doesn't have to be an hour ride. I did that last evening and was so glad!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patty. Sometimes that works for me, too--tell myself that I'll just take a short walk and see how it goes. Before long, I've walked farther than I thought I would and feel good for doing it.
DeleteLove the photos Tina and yes, exercise does make a person feel better not only physically but also mentally. It really makes a difference. Kudos to you for making this pledge to yourself!
ReplyDeleteAs far as what inspires me to keep working towards a goal, I always think to myself what the end result will be.
Thanks, Keith. Yep, exercise is soooo good for us. I'm going to have to start visualizing the results of exercise more than I've been doing. Maybe picturing that end result will help me, too.
Deletethat's awesome. and scheduling the time for it might help you 'stick with the program'. my mood is SO much better when i can exercise.
ReplyDeleteThanks, T. I actually wrote "Y-walk" on my calendar for Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week, so I want to be able to check off that I did it!
DeleteI've been upping my exercise, hoping I won't have to give up dessert!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon. I'm hoping not to have to give up every dessert!
DeleteThey always have such neat classes. I wish I had time to try them all! You'll have to let me know how it goes if you do any of them.
ReplyDeleteI just try to surround myself with motivation - if you keep getting fitness magazines in the mail or read healthy blogs it helps.
Thanks, Lisa. I find that reading articles--in magazines or online--about others working out and getting results really does help to inspire and motivate me.
DeleteOur Y has a class called "Boot Camp." I'm staying away from that one for the time being. :-)
I have a problem with setting goals in that I don't go slow and tend to set really high standards - which can lead to not enjoying the road to achieving the goal. It may have a lot to do with OCD. The other day I wanted to take a bike ride and persuaded my husband to go. At first it was going to be 5 miles, then I wanted to go all the way to town and we ended up going 20 miles but not all the way to town so I felt really disappointed. My husband will occasionally ask me why I can't enjoy small journey's or accomplishments and he has a point. I may be too goal orientated and setting my sights way to high. It is a good way to feel way good when you accomplish something, but also can be a way of self-sabotage. Sometimes I think it is better for me not to think in terms of "goals" and more in how to enjoy doing something. Krystallynn
ReplyDeleteThanks, Krystal Lynn. I tend to do the same thing with goals--overreach and then feel bad if I don't meet the goal. I think part of it is related to OCD, to that idea of something being good "enough." If it seems too easy, then it doesn't seem that I've worked hard "enough." I am trying to give myself more credit for the little things, though. With the exercise, I'm really taking it slow.
DeleteGreat pics!
ReplyDeleteI am going to get back to my weight loss regimen (I use Weight Watchers online) this coming week. I am very active, between doing exercise DVDs, gardening, and walking around in the hilly town I live in, but I haven't been watching my portions lately like I should, and my britches are getting a little tight.
I'm not really goal oriented, but I focus on what helps me feel better. If I exercise, I feel better. If I write, I feel better...and so forth. Some mornings I hate getting out into the garden, but I know that once I'm there for five minutes, I'll feel energized and more alive, so that gets me out there.
Thanks, Nadine. I like how you focus on what helps you feel better. That's really what it is all about--feeling better and more able to do the things we want/need to do.
DeleteI love working out at our YMCA. I usually go in the mornings...when many older people are there thru the Silver Sneakers program. I find it GREAT motivation. When my resolve falters I take one look at some of these people in their 80's working out and think if THEY are here exercising..then I have NO excuse not to! Good luck to you :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. I'm inspired by watching older people exercising, too. And by people who have health problems that would stop a lot of people, but who do what they can do. I know a couple of people like that.
DeleteTina, I am cracking up about your opening comments about the Y. haha-- sometimes I too drive by and think-- "oh yea... I am a member -- I need to go there" and then I'll park at the pizza place nearby and enjoy some pizza :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth. Yes, that's me. (Sigh) I drive by and think how I should be inside the building, not driving by. Oh, well, I'm trying to correct that. :-)
Deletegood luck tina, i am looking for inspiration right now and it's not on my desk ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. I hope you are feeling better. YOU inspire me!
DeleteMost Excellent!!! I gotta get an video out and move around . . . you got my attention . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks, g. I went for a walk today to move around--got tired but it felt good!
DeleteOh I definitely need some motivation...I think joining a class at the Y that you already pay for is definitely the right plan. Keeping my fingers cross you succeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deanna. I went to the Y today, but just walked on the track. I think I'm going to try the yoga class first. I've done yoga in the past, and it makes me feel good and stronger.
DeletePretty pics! Well, fear of failure certainly helps me to keep working towards a goal! I'm not sure that is the best inspiration, but it's all I've got right now ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sunny. Yep, fear of failure can work wonders sometimes. :-)
DeleteYour photos are wonderful, some of my favorite actually! The windy road is something I'd take a photo of too!
ReplyDeleteI have to continue pushing myself to go to the gym, and the thing that gets my backside in gear, is that I've given up too many times before. I tell myself (repeat to myself, is more like it), "You've given up enough." It usually works!
Be sure to do things that you enjoy - because if you don't, you're not going to want to go. Exercising can be fun, you just have to find what makes you happy!
Thanks, Amanda. You've got some good ideas. I've given up many times before, too, so that's a good thing to remind myself of. And I have to have fun, or I won't keep on.
DeleteYes, I know all too well what it's like to pay a monthly gym fee and think "gee, I really should go to the gym". Your description of this made me smile. Best of luck with your new plan. Inspiration is a great first step!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I love feeling inspired. And I'm hoping to have the habit and discipline in place to keep on even when I'm not feeling inspired.
DeleteFunny how things happen, isn't it Tina? I love the fact that you ended up at the Y surrounded by all those exercising people :). Good luck with your new goals!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet. Yes, I went to the Y just to get some photos and ended up inspired. :-)
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