It's easy to get in shape but hard to stay in shape!

Posted by Mark
January marked my one year anniversary of being a consistent exerciser.  Last year, just after Christmas, I decided to get my rear-end off the couch and do a vigorous workout 3 - 5 days per week pretty much every week for the entire year.  It was hard at first but the results were inspiring..  To go from 190+ lbs. to 160 or less lbs. was awesome.  I quickly gained more agility, have tons more energy and generally feel great all of the time.  What a reward for the effort.

I also set a goal to participate in a Triathlon and not only finished it, but finished it well.  That too, was very rewarding.  Probably the best part though was the constant accolade I got from friends, family and acquaintances.  Every time I'd see someone I hadn't seen for awhile they would inevitably comment on how skinny I look.  It's very exciting to see the changes occur in your body but its compounded when it is affirmed by someone else.  I occasionally would pull on my 36" jeans and joke that two of me can now fit in them now then gleefully watch them fall uninhibited to the floor when I let go.  These were the sorts of thing that really kept me motivated over the past year.  It seemed something new and exciting would happen almost daily. 

Enter my one year anniversary.  The proverbial honeymoon is over.  Nobody cares how skinny I am anymore.  Everyone is used to seeing me the way I am.  Having more agility and energy is now normal for me.  I tend to forget what it felt like to be lethargic.  My fat jeans are all tucked away in a remote corner of the closet and forgotten.  When I stand on the scale its pretty much the same. Its not exciting anymore. 

This begs the question of how does one stay motivated when its not fun anymore?  The answer,  who knows. I just put on my shoes and go run because that's what I've done for a year.  I guess its a matter of commitment, habit and dogged determination.  Will I keep doing it?  Yup.  Do I like it? Nope.  Is it worth the effort?  I think it is.  Committing to a competition every year will help too.