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2005/02/03, 10:55 PM
I wish I could be like you. I wish that I could avoid lifting heavy because I can con myself into thinking that every day I waste not doing it is just another day.
I wish that I spent part of my day thinking up reasons not to go to the gym.
I wish I could sit on a useless elliptical trainer for 20 minutes three times a week accomplishing nothing and then complain that I’m working as hard as I can but nothing is happening.
None of that is part of my world.
When I get up in the morning, I struggle to walk. I sit in my chair in front of my computer and I struggle to sit up straight and I often struggle to breathe. Everything about my life is a struggle and sometimes it’s so hard that I want to sit down and cry.
I can’t go to the gym and workout because when I’m done lifting my 5lb weights for 8 reps, and after 3 minutes on the stairmaster, I’m so tired I can just barely get to my car. When I get to my car I sit and listen to the radio for 30 minutes and wait for my strength to come back enough for me to drive homeand when I get home I have to rest.
But I didn’t give up. I went to Dick’s sporting goods 3 weeks ago and I endured the salesman telling me that “ladies don’t lift heavy and you don’t appear to be an exception to that.” I was horrified and humiliated but I went ahead and got something I thought I could do. It’s nothing fabulous, it’s just a stupid bit of rubber tubing with handles and a 30 minute instruction cd. It's resistance training though and I'm determined to lift heavy in my own way.
The first week I was able to work out for 7 minutes. The second week I was able to work out for five minutes and this week I accomplished 4 minutes twice in the same week. That’s 8 minutes, a one minute increase. I’m not going to waste your time telling you what the 4 minutes cost me because it doesn’t matter anyway.
What I’m trying to say to you is that what you have is precious and everyday I come here and I listen to the whining and excuses. I think that if I could be you for just one day the first thing I would do is run, just as fast and as far as your body would take me. And then I would take your body to the gym and I would lift heavy with your arms and I would use the stairmaster with your legs. I would turn your body into the most beautiful tribute to hard work and accomplishment. No matter how hard I try it’s never going to happen for me, but I’m not quitting and you can bet that I want to.
So as you go through your day or your week or your life and stuff yourself with garbage and make up reasons why it’s okay to be fat and out of shape, think about this post. Life turns on a dime, mine did, and yours can too. Talking about wanting something, planning to do something, it’s just not enough. Get off your ass and quit lying to yourself about how it’s okay to abuse the gift you have been given. Do it for yourself because tomorrow the choice might be gone forever.
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Anni
*******
Laissez les bon temps roulez!
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2005/02/04, 08:18 AM
Anni, anytime you need a stupid sales man taken care of let me know allright. Now the rest of you complaining just lift!
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If you can itch your nose after arm day...do another set!
7707mutt@freetrainers.com
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2005/02/04, 08:26 AM
Go Anni! I have stolen your post and put it in the daily motivation post!:love:
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Get er done
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2005/02/03, 10:58 PM
amen.
excellent post, anni.
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if you get me started on quentin tarantino films, chances are you won't be able to shut me up.
excuses are really good for making you fat.
margarine is a liar who announces, "i am butter!"
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2005/02/04, 07:17 AM
Anni, resistance tubes can be a very good workout.
Very good points in your post.
Your determination in the face of adversity should set an example to everyone.
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2005/02/04, 08:04 AM
OK I am wiping away my tears. Amen Anni, you are a beautiful person.
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If you are full of excuses, dont bother with me. If you are ready to make some sacrifices for the better we will get along just fine. I hate EXCUSES!!!!!
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2005/02/04, 08:40 PM
I commented on it there, and I'll comment here as well. That is the most motivating thing I have read in a long time. Hec is not the only one who was misty eyed after reading that. Thank you. Sometimes we all need a reality check.
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2005/02/07, 06:41 PM
Thanks Anni... very good read...
t
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This donut has purple in the middle, purple is a fruit. - Homer (Simpson)
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2005/02/14, 01:09 PM
Anni thank you for always struggling and making it on to the computer and giving us a laugh, advice and a kick up the backside when its needed. I'm sure a lot of people will get something from what you wrote.
Well done on having the commitment to work out as hard as you can. There's a lot people can learn from you.
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2005/02/20, 02:12 PM
Your right, Anni, I don't know your situation, but I have done a terrible injustice to the memories I have of 14 years ago this month when for three years filled with agony and pain, I didn't know if I would survive. I can still remember thinking how blessed I was to be have my newborn, though I was often not allowed to hold him due to radiation, how blessed I was to have my other two sons to bring me a smile each day, how beautiful the sky was, how delicious the air was...how lucky I was to be here even when just getting myself to the bathroom was tormenting, and I continued to think that when I realized after five years that I was one of the fortunately blessed survivors.
I am ashamed that I could ever have fallen from grace as I did, to have taken what I was given, each of those moments over the past 14 years and abused them. There is NO excuse and since joining FT last August I have learned from so many. Through my boo-hooin, I have managed to lose over 28 inches, I have lost 10 pounds, I work out 5 x a week, weights and cardio but I KNOW I can & I should of done better. I am still learning and I am confident I will succeed and am grateful for so many here that have taught me for we all need someone to look up to, but I have to stop wasting time!
And from time to time I hope you and others will learn to forgive me and others like me that foolishly ignore our blessings when we share our woes, as foolish as they may seem. So many of those here at FT that have succeeded were once in our place and encouragement was given for their daily struggles and I hope there will always be that for those that are here. Encouragement comes in many forms, as in your post. And though I have hoped to share encouragement when posting, I will be sure to heed your words and remember to be grateful each day for what I have for at any moment it could be taken from me once more. I appreciate your insightful post and will take it as a wake up call that was long overdue. I have been basically just taking up space rather than living and the gift to live should never be taken advantage of. Though I have tried hard all my life to bring love, joy and happiness to others, I have been pitiful to myself.
I hope you know that your words have truly touched me deeply as I am sure they have others and I want to thank you, like so many others here, you shine when there is darkness. I hope someday I will be able to bring that light to others as so many of you have.
Pity party stops here....
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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2005/02/23, 11:02 PM
O.K. now my input.
I suffer from a very rare disease which causes allergic reactions and sometimes anaphylaxis when I exert myself too much (this includes barely breaking a sweat). I am on full, permanent disbility because of the reactions I have to heat, cold, certain foods, drugs, smells and as already mentioned physical exertion.
Be very careful about lumping us "out of shape" people into one basket. My physical limitations mean that I will NEVER be thin or in good shape. The best I can do is try to be as healthy as my disease allows.
I don't complain or feel sorry for myself nor do I ask for ANYONES sympathies. Keep in mind that there is always someone out there in worse health than yourself and you can't always tell they have limitations just by viewing whats on the outside (at least in my case).
Bottom line - Don't judge every book by its cover.
If I misunderstood your post then you have my advance apologies!
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2005/02/24, 06:59 AM
I think you may have understood Luv....I personally think that the intention of this post is not to chastize members with a disability or lump anybody together as out of shape people.
If anything, Anni is trying to make a testament to those who have special needs and disabilities by letting people who do not know that there are many who strive daily to achieve the same goals against far higher odds.
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A morning without coffee is like something without something else.
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2005/02/24, 01:20 PM
You are right on your points, though, luvthemtorts, there is always someone that is going to be worse off and we should always be grateful for what we "individually" have, blessing don't always come wrapped up nicely, sometimes when we are ill we learn to see things differently and find ourselves grateful for the simpliest things.
And no one, no matter what their reasoning should never judge another, compare their pain or make assumptions of one - period.
I wish you a wonderful day!
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Quoting from luvthemtorts:
O.K. now my input.
I suffer from a very rare disease which causes allergic reactions and sometimes anaphylaxis when I exert myself too much (this includes barely breaking a sweat). I am on full, permanent disbility because of the reactions I have to heat, cold, certain foods, drugs, smells and as already mentioned physical exertion.
Be very careful about lumping us "out of shape" people into one basket. My physical limitations mean that I will NEVER be thin or in good shape. The best I can do is try to be as healthy as my disease allows.
I don't complain or feel sorry for myself nor do I ask for ANYONES sympathies. Keep in mind that there is always someone out there in worse health than yourself and you can't always tell they have limitations just by viewing whats on the outside (at least in my case).
Bottom line - Don't judge every book by its cover.
If I misunderstood your post then you have my advance apologies!
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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2005/02/24, 05:36 PM
I believe I did misunderstand the bulk of the post however what struck a nerve was the parts about putting off training and making excuses.
My excuse for so long has been fear. It's hard to train or try different thing when I don't know if it is going to cause me to go into anaphylactic shock. My point was, If you were to look at me you would think I am your average, out of shape, middle aged man. Unfortunately hidden deep inside my body there is a reason I am that way.
I do apologize again for originally posting in haste.
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2005/02/25, 04:20 PM
Thank you for posting, luvthemtorts, I imagine your challenge lies in your every moment and the strength you must have most likely exceeds mine ten fold, at the very least. It is unfortunate that people are often seen by only what is apparent, than as a whole, individual person and the spirit that carries them from day to day. Then again, there are some beautiful people out there who know there is more, much more to everyone than what is on the surface, thankfully! :)
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
***When you are up to your ears in trouble, try using the part that is not submerged.
***The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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2005/02/26, 12:28 AM
Anni:
A positively beautiful post! You're ability to keep going even when your body is begging you to stop - to continue to see the joy in what you've been able to accomplish... it's inspiring.
Thank you for your reminder of what it truely is to be alive and living life.
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2005/03/07, 06:01 PM
Very Inspiring!!! :)
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