Mahler's Monday Morning Motivator # 41 - Fitness Thanks

[Mahler]

Mahler's Monday Morning Motivator # 41 - Fitness Thanks

Good morning guys.
Another beautiful weekend in bustling downtown Stewartstown, PA. It’s getting tougher to run on a regular basis with the weather changing, so the wife and I went out and bought a Nordic Track treadmill to add to the gym. Now, when the weather is bad, I can run indoors. How lame is that? The basement is getting pretty crowded but I still need a Roman Chair. LOL

With Thanksgiving on Thursday for the guys from the states, I thought I would just make a short list of the things, fitness wise, that I am thankful for. I already have the three “F’s” covered (Frau, Family, Faith). I can’t be more thankful for those than I already am. So here is my Fitness list:

- Common Sense - I am thankful for having it about three years ago and deciding to make a change in my life. I was pushing around 220 pounds at 23% body fat and stepping into my first pair of 38 pants. I took a good look in the mirror and decided that enough was enough. At 175 and 10% bf, I have no regrets and am looking forward to my first pair of 32’s.
- Lifting – I am thankful that I discovered lifting. It has literally changed my life and my outlook on life.
- Dedication – I am thankful that I have been able to keep the course for those three years and never miss a workout.
- Not smoking – I am thankful that I don’t smoke. I watched my father die at the age of 58 from emphysema due to heavy smoking. At 58 he looked like 80. I will soon be 56 and friends tell me I look like I am in my forties.
- Friendship – I am thankful that I have found so many friends on this and other forums who share, criticize, and keep me motivated; friends who read what I write, and give me encouragement every step of the way.

"If we don't change the direction we're going, we're likely to end up where we're headed." -- Chinese Proverb

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thanks guys and Happy Thanksgiving. My best to you and your families for a truly thank-filled holiday.

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler

[Mahler]

Guess no one has anything to be thankful for.

Mahler

[rem1956]

Way to go Mahler. as always you are a role model to the rest of us.

There are many things that I am thankful for. MY loving wife, a son who is more joy than I ever thought possible, family and friends. Many of the friends are right here on this forum. I am most thankful for all the inspiration and advice, the kind pushing, and the boot when I needed it. This forum is great; it has changed my life in so many ways.

To all my friends here, Have a safe and happy holiday.

[quaribc]

Lifting – I am thankful that I discovered lifting. It has literally changed my life and my outlook on life.

i can completely relate to that mahler.

i am thankful for my family, i wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for them. but more importantly my boys. no matter what hell i went thru in life they have always been there to give me support, a pat on the back and with open ears. w/out them i would go crazy insane in a minute. i feel blessed to have such loyal and respectful friends.

[Chris Correia]

I am thankful I am healthy and have the physical capacity that I do (no significant disabilities, etc).

I am thankful that I have a decent, strong, close caring family; a devoted and loving wife, two fantastic kids.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to essentially do whatever I want to do or become whatever I want to become, even if it sometimes seems I can't or, moreso, usually don't take the initiative or show the dedication to fulfill that opportunity. The future is whatever I decide to make it. How great that is!

I am thankful that I have what I have, compared to so many who have much less, or compared to many who have more, but don't realize how grateful they should be.

[FishrCutB8]

You forgot the fourth "F"...

I'm thankful for:

--the knowledge that I've gained
--my bike, as an alternative to the running I can't do anymore
--the Internet, that allows us to get a boatload of information at our fingertips, instantly
--JPFitness, and the man behind it, who gives us a great place to share and be inspired
--My winter bulk....first time I have EVER tried to GAIN weight

[vandamme]

Happy ThanksGiving Mahler!

I'm happy to a have days vacation to go home and eat some real food!

[aztecwarrior]

I already have the three “F’s” covered (Frau, Family, Faith).

I'm glad you have the three "F's" covered...

TWICE!!

[Keith S.]

Nice post. I like the thress F's and as well am thankful for the things you've listed, but I have some of my own.

:: I am thankful for the information I have received from you guys, from when I first started lifting (Men's Health MB) to now (JPFitness).

:: I am also thankful for the dedication I have when it comes to going to the gym. I can honestly say that most things for me come and go from my life, but getting my *ss to the gym seems like a constant, and I'm happy I have the dedication to get there.

:: I am also thankful for a [flag] football league I'm in, it reminds me that I should be doing my cardio during the week so I don't get winded so fast like the other guys.

[Q.]

Originally posted by Mahler:


Guess no one has anything to be thankful for.

Mahler

Nope, I just can't keep up with all the posts these days!

I'm with you, my friend! My story is very similar to yours down to the timing and the pant sizes... except that I'm still in 34's. Now, I just want to get my lifts up to where yours are. You da man!!!

Thanks! (I'm thankful for Mahler )

[DKing]

I am thankful for JPFitness and all you guys and gals. I spend a ton of time here and have a giant extended family, its great.

I am also thankful for being able to have a place to workout. A lot of people don't have that option.

I am very very thankful that I found a great group of guys to train strongman with. Its extremely motivating as well as eye opening to workout with them. Passing on knowledge is a very cool thing.

Danny

[CtA318]

Im thankful for just about everything related towards fitness. Im thankful for everyone on this bord. Even know some people dont even know who I am you have helped me in ways you wouldnt imagine.

Malher I've been reading your motivators for more than a year now and they get better and better. You have a very good insight on motivation.

[Bill2380]

Damn, you've got me thinking. I was going to say how thankful I am that my son is home from his first semester at college and will wrestle his third college tournament this weekend. I was going to add that I hope he does well and remains realitively healthy wrestling primarily older, stronger competition. Then I thought about parents whose sons and daughters are serving their country in Iraq, etc and will not be home for a few days. I'm sure that their concerns go well beyond my concerns about an injured shoulder or knee. Here's a gratefull THANK YOU to them and all their families. Come home safe.

[canuckguy]

Damn, where did the week go?

I'm just getting to this today, John, but it ranks among your best.

I see many similarities between your story and mine. I started a little younger (I'll be 48 in January), but in much worse shape (5'8" 264 lbs). The 38" pants I bought a month ago are starting to feel a little loose, but they're a far cry from the 46" pants I was wearing 16 months ago. And to top it all off, the Mrs. & I just ordered a treadmill this week.

While I celebrated Thanksgiving 6 weeks ago, I remain thankful for (beyond the three F's):

- the friends I have made on this and other forums over the past year or so, their encouragement and motivation as I, too, regain control over my health/life.

- having the strength, ability and resolve to do so.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[Mahler]

Had a great Thanksgiving. The dinner was hosted by my niece and her new husband. Since she is attending culinary arts school, you can imagine tha the dinner was amazing. Everything homemade. I told her that Martha Stewart could stay in jail. We don't need her anymore. LOL All was topped off with fresh baked apple pie and homemade cinnamon ice cream. I am now working to get rid of the "temporary" holiday weight gain.

In Fitness & Friendship,
Mahler

[FlyinM]

I told her that Martha Stewart could stay in jail. We don't need her anymore.

LMFAO!
I was out of town last week and wanted to echo the same sentiments as Mahler and Danny. The 3 F's and this forum pretty much sums it up.

[canuckguy]

Mmmmmmm. Apple pie.