I have been exercising for the past 4 years, not super consistenly, but somewhat. It has sometimes been a chore, sometimes been fun and all with the same goal, either to lose or maintain my weight.

anyway I have been passionate about running as of late and have been training for races and to increase my distance. So yesterday while I was running I realized, this is the first time ever that I am not concentrating on my physical results during exercise, but on my distance, speed and building my lung capacity... and it's made me enjoy it so much more. Sure I am losing weight, I am watching my food intake as well, but I am getting so much more out of my workouts now.

I know many people here can't or don't run, but perhaps training for a walking event, swimming or biking event or to do something (someone mentioned trying to get into shape to cross-country ski, that's a great goal) rather than just to fit into sub-30 waisted jeans can change someone's perspective. Especialy if you're struggling...

So what am I trying to say?If you feel your exercise is in a rut, try to challenge yourself in some way other than to see the numbers drop on the scale. Try to increase how long you can do cardio for without taking a break, challenge yourself in your weight lifting. Sign up for a race of some sort (even a fun run/walk). If you love watching figure skating on TV, maybe sign up for some adult beginner classes just to learn (and you get a great core workout and inner thigh workout at the same time). If you loved Volleyball as a teen, why not join an adult fun/competative league depending on where you feel comfortable (you'll have a challenge and camoraderie). Make exercise fun and challenging for you.

Just a thought!

Ali

I totally agree that having fitness goals that are independent of "weight loss" help so much. It changes your perspective from being the means to an end to being something worthwhile in and of itself.

Sweater Girl, excellent post and point! I am almost there , but I just can't bring myself to compete yet... I'm chicken, afraid of embarrasing myself I guess , at my age I shouldn't really care....I've been jogging/running since Dec 03, and loving it though... I'll have gone out jogging 4 times this week, if I go tomorrow and I probably will, weather permitting, if not I'll do the treadmill at the gym. Now that I am outside, like everyone warned me, I much prefer jogging outside out than in... I am looking forward to maybe a 5k or 2 next spring or summer, when I get my nerve up, this is why I will train for the winter and see how I feel then... So this is my "new" attitude on excercisem it's a lot more fun

Don't let a race be embarrassing. Try a fun race. Something like the Jingle Bell Run/Walk they have here in November. That was my first race. Between the biting cold of the noreaster in my face, the ice I was trying to keep from slipping on, bogging down in the foot of snow where they hadn't plowed yet, losing my Christmas bells off my shoe laces, and trying to keep up with my Santa hat, I was too busy to be embarrassed about it being my first race.

Ilene: It's funny, I have been keeping up with the same people running and on Saturday I hit a wall hard, we were doing 7K at a 60min/10K pace and boom, I felt like I was going to die and I realised this... The people I run with have the natural runner's build, they are tall and lythe. I am not short, but at 5'6" I have a different build. I have short legs, a long torso and a very thick muscular build with broad shoulders... I will never be a race winner, but I see myself being a good endurance runner. The fact is it doesn't matter how fast you go, it's completing the goals you want to complete. The fact is, at practices with my group we're just as proud of the people who finish in front as who finish in back, because we all tried and completed what we wanted. While I am building distance I just can't stick with the front, oh well, I'll be in the middle, middle back and well that's okay. Fun runs are an excellent way to getting into races. Trust me, you'll have fun!

Almost heaven: Great idea about the fun runs!! I've stopped in Concord before actually.

Happy Halloween!

Ali

Ali and Heaven -- Thank you sooooo much for your encouraging words it means a LOT to me... I will try I promise and will certainly let you know of the results...