oh golly what a great thread.

Just feeling stronger. And more graceful. And more flexible.

Being able to kneel down and tie my shoe without having to check first to make sure there is something nearby I can use to haul myself back up.

Being able to bend over to pick up something off the floor instead of having to squat or drop to one knee (again without having to check for support or call for help to get back up).

Being able to lower myself (semi ) gracefully into a chair instead of plopping with a whoosh or a grunt - and being able to get out of that chair without having to use my arms and shove against something.

Getting in and out of the car without hanging on the door.

Feeling core muscles - I had forgotten were under there - surprise me and flex when I do something simple like pick up the laundry basket or close the sliding door.

Feeling like I stride now instead of plodding.

And my personal number one favorite thing: When I suck in my stomach, it actually sucks in!

OOOO I forgot about that! It's always those simple everyday movements that I am amazed by how easy they've become.

This is such an awesome idea for a thread. I like seeing my muscles...lol. I like knowing I'm getting stronger. I took a spinning class in November and almost died from the pain and stiffness afterwards. I took one on Monday to try again instead of running and I actually LIKED it... It kicked my butt, but that was the point. I wasn't in agony!

Stuff like that really keeps me motivated.

Less cottage cheese! LOL! My dimply butt and legs are a lot smoother!

I just feels so darn good to be in shape. To know that I can jog a mile or climb a flight of stairs or whatever without feeling like I am going to die.

I feel more in control of my body.

When I used to smoke and was trying to quit, I found that if I exercised my craving would go away. I consider that a HUGE benefit!

-Liz.

I had to shovel a HUGE amount of snow the past weekend, and the next day I only had one sore area. My arms, shoulders and most of my back were perfectly fine! Before that, when I shoveled even half that much snow, I'd have been hobbling around for days going 'ow ow ow'.

The best thing though, is the improvement in my lungs. I have 'moderate persistent' asthma (had it since I was a baby). That's almost as bad as it gets and it's no fun. It has kept me from pushing myself on cardio my whole life - I figured I couldn't do more than a light cardio workout ever, and all my docs agreed with me. I've been doing daily cardio for two months now and it's getting better! Lots better - I've been able to drop one of my steroid doses!! When I'm not exercising I can take a deep breath now - I mean a really deep breath, and my body almost doesn't know what to do with the extra oxygen, it's been so used to a minimal amount. I just feel so much more awake and alert now.

DH started doing a cardio workout this January as well (we bought an elliptical) because he was diagnosed with high blood pressure. He has watched his readings come down to almost normal. In fact, lately, in the morning, they ARE normal! He's so thrilled to see that, that he's become a convert to exercise - he never did *any* before (and he's 40).

BP