How do you keep motivated to exercise?

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

This the time of the year when sales of exercise equipment and gym memberships go up due to those pesky New Year resolutions. Unfortunately, most of that equipment will find new uses as clothes racks and other unintended uses. Some people will say that they are determined to get into shape and so will think that a membership in a health club is just the thing. However, that feeling of dedication does not last long, the reason as I see it is a lack of motivation.

So, my fellow Chiefs, what keeps you motivated to exercise?

My motivation is to live a long and healthy life. I have a seven year old daughter that I’m looking forward to playing Frisbee with. I am looking forward to walking with her. My dad was in his late 30s when I was born and I feel like I missed out on a lot of physical activities with him because he was unable to.

I am also motivated by the fact that if I gain too much weight I will have the embarrassment of being put on the weight program.

Another motivation is fear in that putting weight on is easier than taking it off.

I suppose another motivation is how I look in the mirror (pride.)

[FSC Jeff Stumpf]

I was one of those that just barely may it past weigh in. I even had a page seven saying i could weigh 230lbs. At 5' 9" in. that was a little much. My wife had just had our last baby and she was wanting to lose that baby weight. We decided to go on weight watchers diet. We stuck with it for about 5 months. We also went to the gym and lifted weights 3 times a week. My wife then decided to run a marathon. She trained hard and completed her trail marathon in 4hr 19min. she was second in her age catagory and 19th over all. I think there were about 75 competitors. I play basketball three time a week at the minimun. I lost about 50lb and have kept it off for about a year and a half. I made up my mind that i didn't want to fret over wether or not I was going to make weight. I also want to live a long life after the Coast Guard so I can get the most out of my retirement. I weigh 185 now and I am going to try to get to 175. That should be just about right.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I was one of those that just barely may it past weigh in. I even had a page seven saying i could weigh 230lbs. At 5' 9" in. that was a little much. My wife had just had our last baby and she was wanting to lose that baby weight. We decided to go on weight watchers diet. We stuck with it for about 5 months. We also went to the gym and lifted weights 3 times a week. My wife then decided to run a marathon. She trained hard and completed her trail marathon in 4hr 19min. she was second in her age catagory and 19th over all. I think there were about 75 competitors. I play basketball three time a week at the minimun. I lost about 50lb and have kept it off for about a year and a half. I made up my mind that i didn't want to fret over wether or not I was going to make weight. I also want to live a long life after the Coast Guard so I can get the most out of my retirement. I weigh 185 now and I am going to try to get to 175. That should be just about right.

Wow, that's inspirational!

[OSC David Nolan]

Chicken wings and beer, and knowing that if I want to keep eating them, I have to counter the affect by getting off of my butt and working out.

Dave

[MSTCS Dave McClintock]

Chicken wings and beer, and knowing that if I want to keep eating them, I have to counter the affect by getting off of my butt and working out.

Dave

Im with you Dave. My other motivation is that I am still wearing the same Bravo jacket that they issued to me in Cape May almost 20 years ago and if I want to retire in it this year, I have to keep the workouts going!

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Im with you Dave. My other motivation is that I am still wearing the same Bravo jacket that they issued to me in Cape May almost 20 years ago and if I want to retire in it this year, I have to keep the workouts going!

Amen Dave!

To tell you the truth, my motivation occurred 6 years ago when I stepped on the scale for my annual weigh in, and was less than 5lbs from MAW.

I stepped off the scale, stepped back on, and realized the numbers didn't change. At 6'0" with a skinny build, nobody knew that I was that heavy, OK, the guy that did my alterations knew.

I became aggresive with cardio workouts (Spinning Classes, etc.) and playing soccer in a recreational league. The pounds melted off, about 30 pounds over a 1 year period.

When I went through my divorce a while back, the fact that I was living a healthy lifestyle was instrumental in me getting through it.

Due to time commitments, I don't play soccer as much and took up competitive running, completing 3 Half Marathons, 1 Full and numerous 5-10K races since September 2005. I am already signed up to run in 2 Half Marathons in the next 3 months.

I took up marathononing, because it is very unique, in no other sport can I run the same course as the current world record holder, of course he is going to finish a good 2 hours ahead of me. I could play basball all my life and never ge the chance to play at Yankee Stadium, but in a marathon, I can "compete" against world class athletes.

I love what I do so much, I volunteered to become one of our HPCs and love talking with and helping people achieve their weight loss goals.

[MKC Curtiss Diehl]

WOW!!!! everyone has a good reason. I like all of you, have the same reasons.

My boys are 6 and 4 right now and I am 41 so it is hard to stay up with them. I too have had a letter in my record stating that my MAW is 227 for a 5'10" person (man is that heavy). :(

Ray might remember me from Moriches when I got maried for the first time (1996), I was coming off of 2 knee surgeries and my weight blossomed to an un-healthy 260 lbs. When I was considered fit for duty, it was November and my annual weigh in was April. I went from 260 to 200 even and boy was I happy that I made weight then. Now that I am older, the body fat percentage has painted a (bad) mental issue and I let myself go again up to the 227 and as of right now, my resolution is to get down to the 180 I was when I left boot camp over 20 years ago. My Bravo jacket is the same one that I bought back in boot camp and it has been taken out enough.:o It is time for me to take it in.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Ray might remember me from Moriches when I got maried for the first time (1996), I was coming off of 2 knee surgeries and my weight blossomed to an un-healthy 260 lbs. When I was considered fit for duty, it was November and my annual weigh in was April. I went from 260 to 200 even and boy was I happy that I made weight then. Now that I am older, the body fat percentage has painted a (bad) mental issue and I let myself go again up to the 227 and as of right now, my resolution is to get down to the 180 I was when I left boot camp over 20 years ago. My Bravo jacket is the same one that I bought back in boot camp and it has been taken out enough.:o It is time for me to take it in.

How can I forget, we were neighbors :)

[MCPO Francis Jennings]

...in a marathon, I can "compete" against world class athletes

Steve, this is obviously a thinly-veiled reference to me :eek: :eek:

Steve and I started marathoning about the same time. May will be my third (and, as I've sworn twice before, my last!). :confused: :confused:

When the new physical fitness program came out a few years ago and we all had to complete and submit our fitness plan, I thought it pretty stupid to put something like "I'll do 10 sit ups every morning". In my opinion, this Chief could do better. So I wrote in my fitness plan that I would run a marathon; then I trained for several months and did it. Several shipmates (Chiefs, Seniors and my geriatric peers) have run their first marathons "later in life" as well. It's a huge commitment, but running or walking The Distance is a personal goal that is attainable by almost anyone in reasonable health.

Frank

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Master Chief Frank "Paul Tergat" Jennings,

I was at a running expo recently and overheard what I would consider "overweight" people getting excited about participating in their first Half Marathon.

It finally dawned on me that, come Monday moring, regardless of their time, will tell all their friends and family, "I completed a Half Marathon!" And They should be proud of that accomplishment.

[EMC Travis Parks]

I'm a big fan of Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing. It feeds my inner caveman, in a socially accpetable manner. Plus while I was at the CPO Academy I got to tap out about a dozen A schoolers, and that was good for the ego.

[BMCS Roland Ashby]

Amen Dave!


I took up marathononing, because it is very unique, in no other sport can I run the same course as the current world record holder, of course he is going to finish a good 2 hours ahead of me. I could play basball all my life and never ge the chance to play at Yankee Stadium, but in a marathon, I can "compete" against world class athletes.

I love what I do so much, I volunteered to become one of our HPCs and love talking with and helping people achieve their weight loss goals.

Steve: That is exactly what I love about doing Ironman triathlons. Where else can you start at the same time on the same course as the professionals? The other thing that motivated me was seeing a guy on the side of the road during the marathon of Ironman Lake Placid. He was in a wheel chair holding a sign that said "Go Ironmen!" It was at that point that I realize I needed to do these events simply because I could.

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

I keep mine off by fear. Having "Agent Orange" related diabeties and the thought of loosing limbs, eyesight and kidney function is a great incentive.

I weigh about 10 pounds more than I did when I retired nearly 22 years ago. Not too bad. Just watch what you eat and walk. As you get older the bones don't work as well. All my docs recommend, even for young people, walking over running. There will be less damage done and the same result will be gained only slower.

The trick is to find methods that will help and not injure as you get older.

I take walk nearly everyday after lunch.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Steve: That is exactly what I love about doing Ironman triathlons. Where else can you start at the same time on the same course as the professionals? The other thing that motivated me was seeing a guy on the side of the road during the marathon of Ironman Lake Placid. He was in a wheel chair holding a sign that said "Go Ironmen!" It was at that point that I realize I needed to do these events simply because I could.

Roland,

Have you applied for the MWR Sports Participation Grants? I was given funding to cover the entry fees for one of my races, pretty good program if you apply.

I just registered for the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon (I have the early military registration forms if anyone is interested, just e-mail).

As I was nearing the end of my marathon (about mile 24) last November, I see someone in a wheelchair up ahead of me, not a racing chair or a sleek lightweight chair, but one you would see in any hospital.

At first I thought it was a spectator who was moving through the course, but as I got closer, I realized the older gentleman in the chair is wearing a participant shirt and has a half-marathon number taped to the front of his chair.

He was probably the last one in the half-marathon to cross the finish line, but people clapped and cheered for this guy all along the course.

It certainly made me pick up my step and gut it out for the last couple of miles.

If that isn't determination and motivation, I don't know what is!

[FSC Mike Rawski]

Im with you Dave. My other motivation is that I am still wearing the same Bravo jacket that they issued to me in Cape May almost 20 years ago and if I want to retire in it this year, I have to keep the workouts going!


I can't wear mine because my shoulders are too broad now. WOW did the tailor at Yorktown have to take in alot to make it fit.

I still wear the same size waist pants though. I actualy dropped to a smaller size a few years ago but I'm back to normal now.

PRIDE PRIDE PRIDE!! That is huge for me. I want to be able to pass any test with ease. I want to give my staff a run for their money or beat them. I love the way being fit feels.

My hobby is motorcycle track days. 7lbs = 1 HP. Less weight accelerates, stops, and changes direction easier. I can ride effectively longer, harder, and faster if I maintain my fitness. (if i crash I heal faster too)

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Mike,

I don't get it -- In another thread you propose that you intentionally make it your mission to be over the weight limit, yet here, you talk about being as light as possible in order to race motorcycles?

It seems to me that no matter what your motivation is, you will want to not be overweight.

I do understand that muscle fibers are more dense than fat and that if you are muscular, you "weigh more" and that is where the body fat percentage comes into play for some people on the weight program.

[FSC Mike Rawski]

Mike,

I don't get it -- In another thread you propose that you intentionally make it your mission to be over the weight limit, yet here, you talk about being as light as possible in order to race motorcycles?



My normal healthy weight isn't too far from the weight limit. When the April weigh in came around I still had a few extra pounds from winter/holidays. Where most people will weigh in first thing in the morning, I went over to weigh in after having a huge breakfast and lunch that day. That was all it took to put me a few pounds over and I did it on purpose. I was back under a couple days later.

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

My normal healthy weight isn't too far from the weight limit.

This is also true for me, I am usually within a few pounds of my max weight, however I do not believe I have ever been over body fat.

I make it a point to ensure that I am under weight when I weigh in. Why? because our admin people have enough to do, and I shouldn't make it my job to make more unnecessary work for anyone.

Being over weight only does one thing, someone either has to take the time to re-weigh you, or they have to take the time to measure you, either way I am taking up someone else’s time and effort.

Brett

[FSC Mike Rawski]

This is also true for me, I am usually within a few pounds of my max weight, however I do not believe I have ever been over body fat.

I make it a point to ensure that I am under weight when I weigh in. Why? because our admin people have enough to do, and I shouldn't make it my job to make more unnecessary work for anyone.

Being over weight only does one thing, someone either has to take the time to re-weigh you, or they have to take the time to measure you, either way I am taking up someone else’s time and effort.

Brett

I have a pretty good relationship with our admin staff. We give each other a hard time about everything. They knew exactly what I was doing.

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

I have a pretty good relationship with our admin staff. We give each other a hard time about everything. They knew exactly what I was doing.

I have no doubt, and was not questioning your intent or your motives. Just passing my views.

Have a safe weekend.

Brett

[PACS Steve Carleton]

My normal healthy weight isn't too far from the weight limit. When the April weigh in came around I still had a few extra pounds from winter/holidays. Where most people will weigh in first thing in the morning, I went over to weigh in after having a huge breakfast and lunch that day. That was all it took to put me a few pounds over and I did it on purpose. I was back under a couple days later.

Mike,

I still just don't grasp this -- are you a muscular person? Why would you want to be as close as possible to your weight?

About 6 years ago, I had a wake up call under the old weight program. I stepped on the scale during my birth month and found that I was only 2 pounds from my max allowable weight, if the rules we have now were in place then, I could very well have passed on BF%, but why take that risk?

It took my a good solid year to drop 20 pounds, through an aggressive exercise program. I have since dropped another 10 and maintained it. There have been times when I have fallen off the exercise wagon, but I quickly got back on, because it is important to me, my health and more importantly, my family.

Recently, my 34 year old brother-in-law came to live with us because he went into kidney failure, primarily because he ignored the signs of high blood pressure, crappy diet, smoking, etc. The reward he gets? 3 days a week on dialysis, and a spot on the kidney transplant list. This reward is at great sacrifice to my wife and our family, is this the kind of thing you want to leave for your family? Each one of us has our own "wake up" call, and I hope everyone has theirs before it gets too late and they can correct their habits and lead a healthier life.

I apologize if this sounds ugly, but health, diet and exercise are things that I take to heart and I absolutely cannot stand it when people make what I perceive to be excuses.

[FSC Mike Rawski]

Yes Steve, I am a muscular person.
I wear a size 50 jacket for my shoulders/chest and I could wear a size 32 jeans. I say "could" because my legs do not generally fit in jeans that have a size 32 waist so, I end up wearing size 34 with a loose fitting waist. My body fat is about 15% and I consider that high for me.

Some people have a small build and want to put on muscle. I'm not one of those people. I have three sets of dumbbells in my house, 10, 20, and 35-pound pairs, that is it. I also have resistance bands, a pull-up/dip tower, and an exercise ball. I don't go to the gym, I run, bike, do core exercises, and calisthenics. I do not lift heavy and I have not lifted heavy in about 6 years. My body likes to build muscle. Many people have told me that I should lift weights and take advantage of my build. I do not feel a need to stress my joints in that way so I get my exercise with less weight, proper form, and proper technique.

There is nothing ugly in your message. I have a family history of health issues and I firmly believe that lifestyle is the most contributing factor for those health issues. I do not wish to continue the family trend.

Mike

PS Does today feel like Monday to anyone else?