Your 50 Reasons for Fitness – John Parker

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This post is part of a new series where we feature YOU, the Fit Marriage community, and your reasons for getting fit. If you missed Tony’s 50 Reasons post, please check it out. Then send us your 50 Reasons, along with a brief introduction and your plan to achieve your fitness goals (photo optional), and we’ll feature you here on the site. Plus, we’ll give you a FREE copy of the Stripped Down e-book just for participating!

Just email your write-up to feedback[at]fitmarriage[dot]com and be sure to sign up to our insider’s list to hear first about upcoming special promotions and get other great exclusive content.

Here is John’s story and his 50 Reasons to get fit in his own words:

Hey Dustin and Tony –

My name is John and I’m 37. Over Christmas, I realized I was approaching 190lbs (a personal high) on a 5’10.5″ frame and was tired of not fitting into my clothes.

I’m happliy married, and have 3 active boys : 13, 11 and 7, and a 1 year old Hungarian Vizla who is a concentrated ball of pure energy. I don’t do Facebook (I’m nostalgic enough without getting pinged by old high school friends) or Twitter (too long winded) but I’m happy to share with you my…

50 Reasons For Getting Fit

1. I feel better when I’m fit.
2. I want my clothes to fit.
3. I won’t believe it so much when my kids call me “Squishy” (though they probably still will).
4. I can walk into a meeting after walking quickly (because I’m often cutting it close) and not be out of breath.
5. I have more energy during the day at work.
6. I look better for my wife.
7. When I run, I enjoy the time alone to think.
8. Exercise provides time to catch up on my podcast listening.
9. Running with the dog helps me wear her down (a little).
10. My wife is very appreciative of a calm dog.
11. Keeps me competitive with dodgeball with my 11 and 13 year olds (for a few more years)
12. I’m more confident I won’t get hurt wrestling with my 3 boys.
13. Less “nervous energy”.
14. I like the way I look more when I’m fit.
15. I want to get my weight to the low 170’s
16. More stamina when playing fiddle with the Bogside Zukes (www.bogsidezukes.com)
17. Less pain the day after a 4 hour gig.
18. The extra long stare of appreciation from my wife.
19. Better sex.
20. More sex.
21. Discipline in pursuing fitness makes it easier to pursue discipline in other areas of my life.
22. I sleep better.
23. I have less overall frustration at petty annoyances.
24. I want to be able to keep up with my oldest son as he’s starting cross country track.
25. Exercising allows me to eat the things I like without guilt.
26. I don’t feel weak when moving furniture.
27. “Finesse tasks” can be done for longer if I’m stronger.
28. More variety in dancing with my wife.
29. More enjoyment from hiking in the spring-fall.
30. To be able to say I’ve run a marathon.
31. To beat my current all time running distance of 7 miles.
32. To be around for my grandkids.
33. I want to be able to enjoy an active retirement.
34. To combat my genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s
35. To be able to enjoy sex more in my 40’s, 50’s, 60’s 70’s …..
36. To avoid a heart attack or stroke.
37. Improved mental focus.
38. It helps me like what I see in the mirror.
39. Provides opportunities to spend time with my boys.
40. I want to be able to climb to the top of the 40′ rope swing in our backyard.
41. Once I’ve done that… and my son’s learn they can too… I want to be able to do it fast enough to challenge and encourage them to greater fitness.
42. Did I mention that it’s really great for sex?
43. Ultimate frisbee with the Jr./Sr. high boys group at church.
44. 1 Tim 4:8 “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things”
45. I want to be able to handle the altitude when we travel out West.
46. Snow Skiing and Moguls
47. Water skiing with my family and father-in-law.
48. The best photography locations usually take some walking to get to.
49. It’s a way to spend time with my wife.
50. It’s a way for me to lead my family by modeling positive behavior.

So that’s the list. Right now it’s still pretty cold in the Midwest where I live, but I’m running about 3 times a week. Once the pool opens up, I plan on going 1-2 times/week to mix things up a bit.

If I can’t build up my running speed soon, I may have to dust off the bike to be able to go fast and long enough to wear out my dog! Ultimately, my goal is to run at least a half marathon…after that I’ll decide if I’ve got the will and time to train for a full marathon.

Thanks,

John

If any of John’s 50 Reasons resonate with you, please share your thoughts in the comments below!  I know I can very much relate to many of these awesome reasons!