Do It Because You CAN
This article is part of a new, on-going series that I will be hosting on my blog, called MID-WEEK MOTIVATION. Each Wednesday, I will post something of inspiration that will help motivate you in your efforts of becoming healthier. I invite anybody and everybody who reads my blog, to post a comment telling me and the other readers, exactly what your goals are for the rest of the week. We all know how hard it can be, to keep a health kick going… especially as the week progresses on… and my hope is that by telling others what your goals are, you will commit yourself and have the inner drive to keep on going.
I am so excited for today’s post, because it is by far, one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard. My husband works with terminally ill patients and people who have lost limbs and/or the ability to move. In a staff meeting he attended, they showed a video about a father and son who run marathons and triathlons together. When my husband told me about this inspirational story, I was only half listening, thinking “okay, so what’s so cool about that?”
Well, THIS is what is so interesting about the story. The son is paralyzed and the dad pushes him in a wheelchair, pulls him in a raft and drives him in a cart which is attached to his bike… each and every time they perform a race. And to date, they have run 950 races, 60 marathons, and 6 iron mans. Their names are Dick and Rick Hoyt and their story is unbelievable.
I am posting a 10 minute video showing the story of TEAM HOYT for this weeks inspiration, and I hope you will take the time to watch it. I can promise you – it will be the most motivating and inspirational thing you will see all week long. I can’t even watch it without tears streaming down my face!
I hope that from this video clip, you will realize the importance of being GRATEFUL for your body and for all of it’s capacities. I hope you will understand that no matter WHAT size you are, if you can WALK, TALK and actually USE your muscles, you are such a blessed person! Show gratitude for your body by getting up and USING it! Choose to exercise your body, every single day, simply because you CAN!
If you are starting to lag in your exercise program or if you need some motivation to get going, WATCH this story and THINK of it often! Anytime I start to wimp out while I’m exercising, I think of this father and the INCREDIBLE challenges he has placed upon his body… NOT so he could get skinnier, get more muscles, or have people ooh and ahh over his body. He challenged his body the way he did, BECAUSE HE CAN! His son may not have the ability to move and be physical… but his father CAN – so his father DOES!
You should too.
What are YOUR goals this week? How are you going to stick to living a healthy life? What things do you struggle with and need encouragement on? I really hope this weekly motivation, can become interactive and exciting for people to look forward to. That will happen if you join in and post a comment! 
I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Keep up the good work this week… I know you can do ANYTHING if you set your mind to it!
If you post a comment, don’t forget that you can SUBSCRIBE TO COMMENTS and see what others have to say.
Make A Comment: ( 19 so far )
19 Responses to “Do It Because You CAN”
MizFit
August 20th, 2008
Okay – I’ll go first to post my goal for the rest of the week. My goal is to only eat when I’m hungry and to not mindlessly snack on foods just because I’m bored, walking through the kitchen, or feel like I need a sweet. I will be consciously aware of what I am putting into my mouth. I did great on Monday, not so great yesterday, but today is a NEW day… and of course, since Wednesday is mid-week motivation day, I know I can start fresh and do my best! Join in!
Liz Rosenbaum
August 20th, 2008
uh… duh… I think I posted my comment the same time MizFit was posting hers. LOL! Anyhoo – good luck with your crosstraining girl! I’ve SEEN your tight, toned body on your video posts… so, whatever you are doing is working! I’ve always stuck to weight lifting, walking and cardio machines, but I just signed up for swimming lessons so I can start swimming laps. You should see how cute I look in my swim cap and goggles… ha!
Liz Rosenbaum
August 20th, 2008
Liz,
I watched this video just last week and was in tears by the end of it. What incredible committment and dedication this father has and the to see the joy on his son’s face is so amazing!
Leigh Annes last blog post..Fabulous Fajitas
Leigh Anne
August 20th, 2008
That video is absolutely inspiring. Makes you not only want to show appreciation for a healthy body by keeping it healthy, but also to want to be a better parent.
My goal for the week is to give my workouts 110% this week. And to remember to eat every few hours to keep myself from over-indulging at dinner because I am starving.
Browns (Shawna)
August 20th, 2008
Leigh Anne – I agree with you… the look on his son’s face is enough to make you get goosebumps. So sweet! And Shawna, that is such a good goal… to not let yourself get too hungry. If I ever allow myself to get too hungry, I am like a bear!
Liz Rosenbaum
August 20th, 2008
I love that video. I received that video a few months ago. It really made me appreciate my health, my body and the ability that I can choose to workout. I am not limited. (However, even if bound you certainly are not bound either) It’s so great to watch that video again to really remember…that as you said Liz we are truly blessed. So, when I originally saw that video it really made me think…there is NO excuse not to use my healthy body parts. It really has kept me on track to strenthen my muscles, to move my legs, my arms. etc….
Thanks for that great video….
Daily Goal: NO PRETZELS
Weekly Goal: Get all my work-outs in…PORTION control…Small portions and healthy food every 3 hours..
Good luck everyone…If we are all doing it together and with the help of Liz keeping us motivated we will do it…
I think we all need to post a before picture and really work hard through the up-coming holiday months and really challenge each other so we stay on track….
Any TAKERS?? (Cause I know that I will need the support..I love to bake when the weather starts to cool down)
Krista
kristadeeann@yahoo.com
Krista
August 20th, 2008
My goal for this week is to get my daily exercise in and to get my fruits and vegetables. I know if I eat those, I will not be as tempted with the junk food that I crave so much 
Candace
August 20th, 2008
OK, FIRST of all- that was soo encouraging- to see the LOVE! awsome video/lesson!
CURRENT GOALS:
1.) Go to bed by 1:00 am- DOING MY BEST
2.) WALK every day- DOING GREAT- bumping up the distance!
3.) Drink 5 glasses of water- SUPER EASY
4.) ONLY 3 cups of coffee (doing great- cause the more energy i have- the lesss i THINK i need!)
BUMPING-as of the 17th..
5.) 8 minutes of “booty toneing” with weights… M, W, F
3A.) ADDING 1 cup of water- 6 total
2A.) adding 1/2 mile per day.
ADDING:
6.) 1 non fat iced coffee per week ONLY (doing great already- but if i WRITE it- i will STICK TO IT)
7.) GET more veggies in my diet. (fruit os NO problem, it is the veggies i forget..)
Well- i already walked farther today! yea me! and i struggle with the water- ugh- i just get busy and forget!
so this week- i am just focusing on SMALL steps, or i’ll never stick to it!
im a COFFE freak- so the whole coffee thing has been interesting- i don’t even CRAVE it or want it- since i feel more energized throughout the day, it is a GREAT feeling!
just think Liz- you are LITTERALLY helping us ALL be here longer for our kids & grandkids to come! that is a HUGE “bravo” so, thank you!!!!!
annie
August 20th, 2008
If any of you want a REALLY good work-out DVD…
“THE FIRM” DVD’S are GREAT!!!
I have about 12 of them and I rotate them all the time. It’s cardio and weights all combined in one. They are the greatest videos EVER…I LOVE THEM…
If you want a really good one..
The Firm Boot Camp
I get my DVD on Ebay….You will NOT be disappointed with any of them…
They make working out so fun…
and…if any one else has other great dvd’s you do at home..I’d love to hear what you do…
Krista
kristadeeann@yahoo.com
Krista
August 20th, 2008
hey there- i have the windsor Pilates dvd, and i have the routine memorized, so when i lay in the floor with my 11 month old, i start working my legs!
annie
August 20th, 2008
Ok so I hurt my back on Monday so I can’t do any of my workouts this week, but I am going for a walk everyday, at least I can do something.
Take care,
Andrew
Discipline or Regrets last blog post..THE CAUSE JUST GOT BIGGER!
Discipline or Regret
August 20th, 2008
Andrew,
Walking is GREAT!!! Don’t be ashamed about that….Walker is very powerful.
I hope your back is feeling better.
Krista
August 20th, 2008
ha ha..that was WALKING is very powerful
Krista
August 20th, 2008
Ok! I’m new here, but I was encouraged to post my brand new goals by my best bud,
Annie.
My Goals
Replace 1 soda with Crystal Light every day.
Drink 4 glasses of water.
Walk every weekday.
I love this site! Thanks!
Melnyroses last blog post..Summer is almost over!
Melnyrose
August 20th, 2008
Everybody’s goals are so awesome!! I hope writing your goals publicly is helping you stick to them. I know it helped me last night when I wanted to snack out of boredom, simply because my whole family was hanging out in the kitchen and that’s what you do in the kitchen is eat right? Well, posting my goal here helped me not do that. Hope it is helping you guys too.
Liz Rosenbaum
August 21st, 2008
Aye, I’ve heard about them before (Reddit). I wept. It was moving and inspiring. It shows that nothing is impossible as long as you have the will, determination and motivation to reach your goal. I also think late Christopher Reeve (former Superman) to be really inspiring. Oh yeah, along with his late wife.
My goals this week are practically similar to the week before. I insist of looking at weight loss and eating healthily as a lifestyle and not just as a diet to strive weight loss. When you think weight loss as a diet, it will not last long. Your weight loss goal will only live for a short period of time.
I cannot run for a long period of time as I have injured my left leg permanently when I was a teenager (long story). So I rely mostly on brisk walking. Injured or not, it’s not going to stop me from exercise and live healthily.
Regards,
JJ
JJs last blog post..Hello World: New Vlog – Ep. 4
JJ
August 21st, 2008
Oh yeah, oh yeah my goal is to be sexy! Mua,ha,ha!
Regards,
JJ
JJs last blog post..Hello World: New Vlog – Ep. 4
JJ
August 21st, 2008
encouragement? in crosstraining.
ENCOURAGEMENT? in a few other nonfitness goals as well
do you do that, too?
have a great day. that video is BEYOND moving.
MizFits last blog post..Viewer Mail & The Art of Weight Maintaining.