I am thankful for new motivation.
I've never been a regular exerciser. While I am active and have done various exercise programs from time to time, I've never experienced the "exercise high" that comes from the feel-good chemicals that are released with exercise. I've always stopped before I reached that point.
However, now I am motivated and am having more success than I've had in a long time. My employer has joined a growing trend and has subscribed to a program that gives rewards for exercise and other good health habits. Points are rewarded for walking along with other challenges.
Since I joined a couple of months ago, I've been making sure that I eat my veggies and have two fruits a day. I'm getting adequate sleep, drinking more water, and recording things that I am thankful for (on more days than just Sunday). I'm taking time to read and I am using reusable shopping bags. Also, I'm doing strengthening exercises and having my blood pressure taken. I have gone walking in the cold rain, with a migraine, and in the dark just to get enough steps in to get the points I need. I have chosen only veggies at a BBQ restaurant to get my requirements in for the day and have gone to the store to get extra fruit to keep up with a challenge.
Wow. That's an impressive list, if I do say so myself. Especially for me. So what's my motivation? Well, besides the obvious one of it's good for me (which has never been particularly motivating in the past), I'm earning money. So far, I'm up to $50 and if I work really hard, I may earn some more before the program restarts at the first of the year.
And perhaps even more importantly, I am surrounded by people who are doing the same thing. The program is one of the hot topics at work and we are both encouraging and competing with each other. (I didn't realize how competitive I am until I started this.)
So for this program and the motivation it is giving me to take better care of myself, I am thankful.
My workplace has a similar program, but because of my employment status (resource staff) it's kind of a hassle for me to use, so I haven't taken advantage of it. However ... 3 weeks ago I decided to invest in my health and joined a fitness gym. I have always exercised on my own, except for occasional classes I have taken, so I admit that it felt foreign to me to be paying to exercise. However ... I was in a funk and felt I needed something to jump-start me and to get me through the dreary winter months when it's hard to get outside. I am enjoying it more than I anticipated. I want to laugh when I am asked what my "goals" are ... being healthy sounds like a vague goal, I know, but that's really what I want.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for all the positive changes you have made! Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Good for you in taking the initiative and joining a gym. I hope it lessens the winter doldrums for you. I think as you get to know more people, you will like it even more. My husband goes to the gym everyday at lunch and that's a very social thing for him and a great motivator to exercise.
DeleteAnd do you feel better these days?
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome program. Whatever it takes to get into the habit of taking better care of ourselves. Good job!
That's a good question. I seem to be having more migraines than ever, but there are many influences that are beyond my control related to them. However, if I take the migraine overprint away, I'd say yes.
DeleteThat is awesome. My brother has insurance through his wife, and their employer, insurance company do the same thing, and it has really helped them, to have goals, and rewards, really great for them.
ReplyDeleteMost of these programs are tied to insurance, but this one isn't. So not as many health measurements are considered such as A1c, but it is still good. The concrete goals are a very good thing for me.
DeleteKudos to you! I am also thankful for the gift of health. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Yum. As the saying goes, "If you've got your health, you've got everything."
DeleteI'm impressed by how far you have gone to make sure you get your points, a walk with a migraine in the rain no less and veggies only at a barbecue! Well done.
ReplyDeleteI hope this motivation lasts as the newness wears off. However, the rewards reset every quarter, so hopefully that will do the trick.
DeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks. This is a big deal for me.
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