Warfarin

[Jkm7]

I've always eaten a healthy diet, maintained a reasonable weight and for years had a good exercise routine.
As I've aged, I find it harder to be committed.
I was hoping someone could shed a few motivational tricks that work for them on those days when they 'just don't feel like it'. It's so easy to find an excuse.

Despite being from the cold northeast, DH and I always walked most nights after dinner in the dark of winter and our bodies were used to that exercise. I find it a struggle to drag out my reflective vest/blinker lights for our safety and get myself out the door for that same exercise we have done for years. It's no darker nor colder than every other winter but this winter, I am 'less inclined'.

I need a gentle push/shove/or whatever.....
Oh well........ Sorry I bothered everyone with my personal situation.
I'll just 'get on with it'.

 

[pellicle]

I need a gentle push/shove/or whatever.....
Oh well........ Sorry I bothered everyone with my personal situation.
I'll just 'get on with it'.

Well I don't know that you've bothered anyone (certainly not me)

Motivation is such a personal thing, what works for one puts another off. Age makes a difference too. I used to work as a electronics tech for a company that did nurse call systems. Heaps of our customers were retirement and nursing homes. Seeing the difference between the ones who were religious about fitness in their youth and those who were sedentary was my lifelong motivator

I just remember those places

 

[MarkU]

I lost about ten pounds immediately after my surgery, then gradually gained it back, plus more over the next few years, even though I was exercising a lot training for triathlons. I never associated the weight gain with being on warfarin, just poor eating habits. In fact, I think I used exercise as an easy excuse for over-eating.

I've had good luck using Weight Watchers online. Logging all my food helps to keep me accountable for what I'm putting in my mouth. I started it back in mid-2010 after I hurt my Achilles tendon and was afraid of gaining weight while I was out of action for 4-6 months. I eventually took off twenty pounds and have been able to maintain that level. Carrying around less weight has also gone along with some significant inprovement in my running pace.

I'd still like to loose another 15 pounds or so in the next year.

Mark

 

[dtread]

I doubt Warfarin causes weight gain - at least I see no evidence that it affected my weight at all. Regarding motivation, it is as simple as this: exercise is like brushing your teeth. It is easy to see the results if you do not brush your teeth. The same thing happens with your body if you do not exercise regularly, although it is not as immediately noticeable as it is with brushing your teeth. The old saying "Use it or lose it applies". If you do not exercise your muscles will atrophy and eventually you will lose the capability to do certain physical tasks. When you are younger your body is more forgiving but when you get older it is harder (or impossible) to get the capability back. So, exercise is to a certain extent "the fountain of youth". I frequently see people on the bike path in wheelchairs and I bet they would give about anything to be able to get out of their wheelchair and ride a bike. But they will probably never be able to do that. Think about that if you want motivation. You are capable of exercising, and you're choosing to give it up. Bottom line: you just have to make exercise a life-long habit, like brushing your teeth.

 

[Jkm7]

Great post and the best advice.
VERY helpful.
Thank you.

 

[Mom2izzy]

Warfarin

I lost 25 pounds and was at my lifetime goal weight on weight watchers. (Most of it without exercise, so it can be done....it's just harder) On that program, the motivation for exercising is to get activity points which can translate to an extra snack.

I HATE exercising...HATE it! ...but I LOVE LOVE LOVE to eat. I can eat more if I exercise more, so that is some motivation for me.

My other motivation was related to clothes, but not due to vanity...I just couldn't afford a new wardrobe and was not fitting into my clothes.

Have you heard of these "fit bits"...they are supposed to motivate you by having a little flower or something that will not grow unless you have had "enough" activity in a day. Weight Watcher's does something similar.

My best exercise suggestion is to find something you enjoy. If you don't like "standard" types, try something like dancing. I have some dance off the inches DVDs, hip hop and salsa. My daughter and I put them in and giggle at ourselves trying to do the dances. It's mor fun than exercise. I've heard similar things about some of the Wii dance games.

Last piece of advice is to get a buddy. It's really easy to blow off your workout if you are doing it alone. If you are accountable to someone else...a little tougher.

 

[pellicle]

. So, exercise is to a certain extent "the fountain of youth". I frequently see people on the bike path in wheelchairs and I bet they would give about anything to be able to get out of their wheelchair and ride a bike. But they will probably never be able to do that. Think about that if you want motivation..

Hear hear! Quite similar to the motivation I got when working around nursing homes

The new valves have given us a new life. I have had three rebirths and have done my best to make the most of them. I would not have been living and working around the world if I had died in 1992 when I had my homograph BAV done, so I would not have been able to build my fitness and go do things like this https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8...MGE0LWJkZDYtYzRkYmExMDlmNmM2&authkey=CK6SqM8F

 

[tom in MO]

I am not a gym rat. I hated gym in high school. I am not adicted to endorphins.

A number of years ago, I needed exercise, and it was impossible to motivate myself. I got a dog. Now my motiviation is my dog. Even though now he has a brain tumor, blind and is clinically demented, he still comes to bother me about going for a walk about half the time we should be walking. The other half of the time, I feel guilty, because if I don't walk, it's bad for him and for me and being a dog I am responsible for him. He keeps me walking at least twice a day. If I didn't have a dog to walk, I'd get a lot less exercise. Walking with him is more fun, but for exercise purposes, you need to balance walking with sniffing

My second motivation after the dog was a change in habits. I can take the bus to work, which involves about 20 min of walking per trip. Now my habit is to take the bus whenever I can, thus I walk an extra 40 minutes at least 3 times a week. Once it becomes a habit, it's easier.

My third motivation was cardiac rehab. There I learned some simple stretching exercises and continued on to incorporate some basic exercises. The habit was formed in cardiac rehab and I continued it at home. Why??? Because it feels good. First it felt good because of the OHS, but now it feels good because I am at the age where I am riddled with aches and pains from arthritis and who knows what. Daily stretching and exercise makes feel better throughout the day. Not an "endorphin" thing, but a general "feel good" thing.

 

[epstns]

Although I've been a "gym rat" for many years, my secret motivation is simple. I married later than most, at 31 years of age. My wife is younger. My only daughter is in her mid 20's and plans to be married later this year. If I have any plans of being able to keep up with grandchildren, I'd better keep myself in shape!

For me, the bottom line has also been strongly impacted by fear. I have always been afraid of what would happen to my body and quality of life if I "let things go." I don't ever want to look like the stereotypical American male in his 60's -- lousy muscle tone and large belly. My wife has her orders -- If I get that way, just shoot me!

I can also agree with pellicle in that the images we see in nursing homes and other gatherings of seniors can serve as motivators. We see how bad it can get and we want to do all that is within our powers to avoid that fate for ourselves. I see many seniors in their 80's who just barely exist. I know others in their 80's and even 90's who fully enjoy life. I know which group I want to join when I am that age. . .

 

[Jkm7]

Some really great posts here.
Lots of motivators......
Hopefully others are as appreciative for all the suggestions as I am.
As I mentioned, I have done the walking and exercising for many years but reached a point I was plain tired of it.
YOU here have motivated me to put those sneakers back on.

THANK YOU.

 

[OldManEmu]

Steve

I see many seniors in their 80's who just barely exist. I know others in their 80's and even 90's that fully enjoy life. I know which group I want to join when I am that age. . .

We live half a world apart yet we must witness the same things.
I think of a former elite football coach here that is 81 and still does an 8km run, 250 push-ups and 700 sit-ups a day. He is my inspiration that getting older doesn't automatically mean becoming frail and infirm. Using this as a yard stick I think I can look forward to working out for another 30+ years.