What's your secret fitness-related desire?

[lindrusso]

As far as my fitness program goes, I usually concentrate on the basics - losing fat and gaining muscle. I've never gotten to my desired level of leaness, so I've never pushed the goals a step up.

We may have touched on this before, but I'm wondering if anyone else out there has a "secret" desire that tends to get put aside for other, more basic fitness goals??

My "secret" desire is to have really toned arms. I've been very thin, but I've never really had great tone. For some reason, I just love really toned arms - maybe because it's the part of the body that's most visible during any time of the year.

However, this goal will again be put aside while I try to burn off all the fat on my butt and thighs!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

[jd]

lindrusso, when I read the topic, my first thought was toned shoulders and arms. Of course, I need to start a fitness program at all to being to realize this desire!!

[NydiaC]

I'm with you Lindrusso. I've always wanted to have arms like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2. Of course, it would help if I started to make an effor to get there. I hate strength-training....

[beccathebaker]

Lindrusso- I am currently working to gain back the weight that I lost during my treatment for uterine cancer five years ago. I have always loved to exercise, but as I'm gaining, I have been trying to increase my weight training so that I can gain muscle (along with the fat that I want to gain in certain areas!) Whenever I feel full and stuffed and get frustrated with my weight being low, I try to envision strong, muscular women who are role models for me. I also think of how good it will feel to be able to wear a tank top and bathing suit this summer at the beach and not feel like a stick. It's so crazy to be going against the norm of society, but in a way I feel like I have the same type of role models that you all have-strong, muscular and healthy women! -Becca

[BeckyM]

My secret fitness goal is to have lean thighs! Of course that's the goal that is the furthest from reach. I am one of those people with a "pear" body type. Whenever I gain weight, it starts with my hips & thighs, and that's the last place I lose it. That's where I've always been self-conscious, and I'd love to be able to wear short shorts (well, not TOO short, because I'd still have SOME modesty) and not worry about my flabby thighs hanging out! I'm working on it -- elliptical trainer at the gym, running, Tae Bo, etc., but I also haven't been that great at the willpower lately. One of my co-workers has a jar full of caramels, Hershey kisses, Dove chocolates, etc., on her desk, and she encourages us all to have some. I haven't been very good at declining her offers lately! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif

[emilycat]

I want the inner thighs I had when I was a dancer. I love my legs, but if we're being picky here, running tones such different muscles than ballet does, and I'd like the benefits of both.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by BeckyM:
I am one of those people with a "pear" body type. Whenever I gain weight, it starts with my hips & thighs, and that's the last place I lose it.

Oh boy can I sympathize - me too!!!

Not that I'm saying we should accept our pear shape, but one tiny bit of comfort is that abdominal fat in women has been shown to be linked to heart problems (you knowledgable sorts please correct me if I'm remembering this wrong - I think it was the heart!). So, if you have to have extra fat, you're better off having it on the bottom!

[food girl]

I must be a weirdo, I wasn't thinking about my body at all when I read this post.

I would really like to be super-fast on my bike. I am a really good hill climber, but I have trouble maintaining my speed on flats (thankfully not too many of those in East TN). I am working hard on my trainer so that I can improve my speed.

I would like to be a little smaller through the hip/butt area, but that is where all of your power for biking comes from - so you see - God gave me this body for a reason http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Lisa

[pammy]

Number one: To be able to start running again.

Number two: To be able to perform all of the asanas in the primary series of Astanga Yoga with a decent level of confidence. I am getting there!!! By the way, for those of you who want killer arms, shoulders, etc., Astanga (commonly referred to as "power" yoga) is a wonderful way of achieving that goal.

[BeckyM]

lindrusso,

I've also heard that same thing about where you store fat having an impact on your susceptibility to heart disease. Another thing I've heard (though I don't know how true it is) is that women with the "pear" body shape (store fat in hips & thighs) tend to be more fertile than women with the "apple" body shape (store fat in the waist & abdomen). So that's one more positive thing I try to think about when I am bemoaning my larger than average hips & thighs. Hopefully someday that will come in handy! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif I can usually manage to find a positive way to look at most everything!

[emilycat]

I've definitely read more than once that people who tend to store weight in their middles tend to be more susceptible to heart disease -- one reason why men seem to fall victim much more freqently than their pear-shaped female counterparts.

And food girl, I certainly don't think you're a weirdo -- I think you have the right idea that so many of us could benefit from -- myself included! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

[BevP]

My secret wish is to be superstar thin or aerobics instructor thin. Of course that will never happen, I don't have the genes or the determination. So my realistic wish is to look better, feel better. And not gasp for air in June when I go to Tibet!!

[SusieO]

I am going to run a marathon this year. That's no secret. My secret goal is to be more flexible. I can barely touch my toes, but I want to be able to get into Lotus position. Maybe after about a year of yoga practice? I'm open to hints and suggestions.

[Susann]

No question-to run a marathon. I *will* accomplish this goal some time in my life!

[hhcowgirl]

No matter how hard I try, and no matter how thin I am, I never seem to be able to achieve relatively "flat" abs. I cannot even discern the beginnings of a "six-pack," despite religious (and correctly-done, according to my former trainer) crunches. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[Heidi]

m4star,

Your goal is not one bit nerdy at all! I think that is my ultimate goal too. I know it would be my fiance's goal for me also. He always says that he wishes that I could see my body as he sees it (beautiful and sexy), rather than being so negative about it all the time and focusing on my flaws. That is truly something I struggle with and would love any suggestions on how to overcome it.

My other secret fitness goal? To be able to do the splits! I've always wished I could. How's that for nerdy?

Heidi

[m4star]

Thanks for re-assuring me that I'm not nerdy for wanting to really love my body no matter what size/shape. It's a hard thing to be able to do, but I feel that each day I am getting closer. I love the fact that my body can get me through a really tough workout. I love my body for all the great things it can do, it's just that society has enforced some really crazy ideals for women to live up to.

[m4star]

My answer makes me sound like a total nerd, and I'm embarrassed even posting this...but it's the truth.

My goal is to be able to stand naked in front of the mirror at any weight (even where I am right now) and LOVE my body just the way it is.

[emilycat]

m4star,

There is no reason at all that you should feel like a nerd for having that goal. I think that every woman should be able to do exactly what you're aiming for; it's so important to be confident and proud of your body -- after all, look at all the amazing things it's capable of!

[MaryH]

Emilycat and SusieO,

I would suggest Pilates - I took jazz dance years ago and warmups always incorporated ballet (and sometimes modern) moves. Pilates - although no one called it that then - was also used by every instructor I ever had. Although I confess that I am not very religious about following it, I do think that it is the most effective way to get the "lean" look you want. It is also great for flexibility - although yoga works for that as well. And this goes to one of my pet peeves, which is the T-shirt that I've seen in aerobic classes that says "this ain't no dance class". Sorry, but if half of those instructors ever tried a dance class (jazz, ballet or modern) I don't know how far they'd make it. To me, dance was always much harder than aerobics.

But to finally answer the question, guess it would be to one day have a flat abdomen - crunches and all just don't seem to get rid of the bottom part (especially after 2 kids http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)