Sometimes I try to find an excuse just to try to get out of exercising. There are mornings where I literally have to push myself out of bed so I can go exercise (and I am an avid exerciser...but even avid exercisers can have these feelings once in awhile) ...but only recently did something occur to me. I almost didn't feel like exercising today but then I said...

Wait. My son was in Iraq in the hot burning sands for a year. He didn't get relief from that. He didn't get relief from the sands blowing in the evenings. He did a lot of walking in that hot sun (and dropped 40 lbs while at it, too) He didn't have the luxury of being able to go into a place to cool down for awhile.

And then I think of my inspiration who was a prisoner of war for four months. He was in a cold cell. The conditions weren't glorious by any means. He was shivering and was very cold, lying on a hard slab. He didn't have the luxury of heaters or being covered with a blanket to warm himself up.

And then I realized how blessed I really was - being able to join a gym and work out in the comfortable conditions...especially if it is hot or cold outside...

And if you can't afford to join a gym or don't want to join a gym and next time, you decide you don't want to exercise because it's too hot or too cold outside, think on these two incidents...and then go for a walk any way and realize how truly blessed you really are.

Sheyla


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Thank you Sheyla for reminding us. You are so right!!! We are truly blessed. Please let you son know how grateful we are for EVERYTHING he and the other men & women are doing!!!!!!!!

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Kelli (LCing since 01/01/03)
Restarted 02/09/04 @ 155.5

Wow - awesome post Sheyla - and so absolutely true. We take our 'freedoms' for granted because we've never not known them. Imagine wearing a burka.. because your not ALLOWED to wear shorts or tshirts. My husband is a former Marine who was in the first Gulf War, and didn't get teary eyed like I did the other day when they showed all the indelibly inked fingers...but said that it was all worth it. Maybe they will get a taste of what we all to often take for granted.

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Started: 261
Currently: 182

I agree. And I'm also glad I have both arms and legs and am ABLE to rise up each morning on my own. Some are not so fortunate. I should be more grateful.

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Gratitude is a great motivator. Thank YOU for reminding us to count our blessings every day.

One of the reasons some of us end up here is that this country provides us with such an abundance of food in endless variety.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Great thread Sheyla...thank you!

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I liked that too, but it have heard something like it with one of my e-mails, only it was differnt, so don't accuse me of accusing you, hehe, or anyhting, but it is so true. My brother is leaving for Iraq in two monthes and my stepmom is so worried he'll die that I'd better not tell her this. I have a little part fo me that says I should exercise and eat well, but I and so lazy that I can't anymore. Besides, even if I wanted to now, I couldn't, since my knee injury. And that makes me think that I should have when I have the chance.

I know that there is a lot of things we take forgranted, and everyday, I live with the fact that my brother can never be smart like the normal human, because he has Autism, and reasearch shows only 1 out of every 140 babies get it, but he was teh unlucky one who has to suffer.

I don't mean to babble like that, but since we are on the topic of things liek that, I thought I would just mention it.

Kate

i agree. great post.
i have to write an essay for my business school applications ... about my greatest personal accomplishment.
and i'm actually thinking of focusing my paper on making a commitment to exercise (years ago), what it's done for my health, what i've taught my friends/family, how my knowledge and "personal training" hepled my mom get rid of some of the pain/suffering caused by her arthritis, etc.
what do you think? does that sound too trivial to be one's greatest accomplishment? (note i'm only 26. )

Thank you so much Everyone for sharing your stories like that i feel the same way that sheyla does i do hardly ever exercise and that is why i am the way i am i feel like i can relate to you guys

SO how much do u guyts exercise not to sound affencive i was just wondering for my project