I love living the healthy lifestyle and working out, but for some reason I started to ask myself why even bother?
Why do I get up early and put myself through long and grueling workouts?
Why do I restrict myself from all of the excess cookies and tasty butter foods?
I'm not planning on competing in any type of figure competition. I don't have a beach trip anytime soon. I don't have any races coming up. I'm not helping train anyone or influencing anyone to live healthier. Why do I have this obsession with health and fitness that sometimes makes me feel that no one understands or shares with me. So why can't I just sit on the couch and my DQ blizzard??
Pity party for one, please.
I vented these feelings to my always understanding and comforting husband last night, who made me feel so much better and gave me plenty of reasons why. So afterwards I thought I would make my own list of why I should bother.
- I do it for my children. I want to live a long, healthy life and be around for my kids as long as possible.
- To be able to keep up with my children. I have two very active and wild toddlers that I want to be able to take on adventures, run across a field with, carry on my back, and do flips with on the trampoline.
- To instill good health habits in my children.
- To hopefully be an example to my family and friends.
- I like to live healthy for all of the energy it gives me. When I have a bad day and eat too much I feel like a slug.
- Because it shows me how strong I am. Not just physically, but mostly mentally. I have willpower and discipline that I never though possible, which makes me feel more in control of my life.
- Consistent exercise helps my asthma and allergies. Since I've made it a lifestyle I've had no issues with my asthma (even during cold weather races) nor do I have the severe allergy issues that used to be almost constant.
- I like a healthy lifestyle because it keeps me feeling better with age. I feel better now than I did 10 years ago and I've already got a jump start on controlling and regulating those crazy female hormones that are going to start going crazy here in my 30's.
- To hopefully be the inspiration to at least one person to help make healthier choices.
- I do it because being fit is something that's always been a dream and a goal of mine. I like to set the stakes high and I like to push myself to do what others rarely do. I do it for me.
When I sit back and look at all of these important reasons on this list I remember why I started and know why I will continue. :)
