I’ve been thinking a lot about mortality lately. With the death of two college roommates in the past 18 months, my world has been rocked. Losing my Dad not long before that also greatly impacted me. Regular visits to my Mom with Hectic Grandson has caused me to think about what I want to be like as a Grandpa going forward. Look at the picture of him…how could you not want to do everything possible to stay around?
He’s such an amazing little boy! Despite being a wildly active 15 month old, he’s also one of the most loving people I know. He seems to have an innate sense of when someone needs a hug, and despite wiggly like crazy around the rest of us, he settled down and snuggled up to his Great Grandma for almost 30 minutes the other day.
To ensure that I’m around for him and all the Hectic Kids, I’ve decided to up my workout game and workout at least 5 of every 7 days. I’ve been tracking it in my new habit tracker of choice Way of Life and discovered that I’m doing vastly better than 5/7 days, more like 12/13 days so far in June and 18/21 over the past 3 weeks!
My body fat is dropping (I’d love to say melting away but this would be the slowest melt on record), my body muscle weight is rising slightly, and overall my weight is dropping. I feel a bit better than I have, and that’s improving every day. I haven’t been very good about posting post-workout selfies, but even that is improving.
I’ve been working out a lot, and while I’m not very pretty afterwards, the workout selfies are a way to share with the world that I’ve been consistently working hard so that I can get in better shape. Most of the workouts have been on our stationary bike or treadmill, although I’m starting to sprinkle in some outside workouts. With three 5k’s, one Sprint Triathlon, and a Half Marathon all before October I’ve got some events to work towards!
What’s it going to take to motivate you to get healthier?
Really inspiring post. Good for you. Not only are you doing everything you can to make sure you have as much time with your family as possible, but you are also being a very positive role-model for them. Keep going, it’s all worth it!
Thanks for the kind words. Sometimes I feel like my role-modeling would be more fun if I could play video-games and beat them. I could just sit on the coach and be the king of the Xbox. Seriously, the older kids who have moved out are great examples of our lifestyle. They have each chosen a venue that has amazing sports and fitness opportunities. It would appear in that respect that they got the message that fitness is a lifetime affair!
Make it a great day!
Well done you for having the motivation to do something! And well done for losing weight. I’m sorry you’ve lost people close to you. Your health is very important and doing something about it can be one of the hardest decisions, especially if you struggle to find the motivation. But as you said, you’re already feeling better and that feeling can only increase!
If you’re interested there’s a health & weight loss linky you can link up to every Monday on the blog BuddingSmiles.co.uk – it’s called #BloggingtoJogging and the community is lovely and supportive. Would love to see you linking up, I’m link up most weeks.
Morgan x
Go you for being motivated! Children (and grandchildren!) are such a great motivator for positive change aren’t they?
Thanks for linking up to #TWTWC xxx
Well done you, its easy to want to keep fit but to actually do it is another thing. Its scary isn’t it the fear that you might not be around for your children. It terrifies me that one day I won’t be here for my little one. #TwinklyTuesday
As I watched my Dad at the end of his life, I was struck by how active he’d been and how weak he’d become. I vowed at that time that I would follow a different path. It’s taken many reminders that I made that vow. With the addition of Hectic Grandson into our midst, and especially having him living in our home, I’m given daily reminders of how great it is to be active with the kids.
Reading other people with their new families from places like #TwinklyTuesday and other linkys also reminds me that I’m on the older end of the spectrum of parenting, albeit a bit younger in the grandparent ranks.
I’m with you 100% that terror of not being around motivates me daily. Through the sweat, exhaustion, and pain I keep remembering why I workout and that helps a bunch.
Make it a great day!
So inspiring. I’ve told my daughters that the reason I get them out of bed every Saturday morning to go to the gym is so Mommy can be healthy for them when I’m older. I was tempted to sleep in one Saturday, but little M said to me, “But what about your healthy heart?” I’m not just taking care of myself. I’m showing my girls how to care for themselves too! Plus, they love the preteen hangout room at the gym.
Thanks for linking with #TwinklyTuesday.
Sadia, thanks for coming over (again) from #TwinklyTuesday. Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to your comment. You are spot on when you say that you’re teaching habits to your kids. Our four youngest don’t know anything other than Mom (always) and Dad (often, sometimes) working out. We even put in a workout room in our house instead of going on vacation for two years. Now when our older kids come home it’s not only a gathering place, but everybody works out there. I love that we’ve handed this lifestyle down to our kids! Good on you for doing the same!
Sorry you don’t get to sleep in on Saturdays though. I guess you’ll just have to take more naps LOL