My gym has started putting motivational phrases on the bags we use to ‘hit it hard’.  It was thought provoking for me as I did spend time reflecting on why I began to exercise regularly.

Originally, my motivation was simple. It wasn’t about losing weight or getting into shape.  I just could not run for 30-60 seconds without becoming completely winded.  And so, after setting a goal to run a mile without stopping, I began to look  at IPhone apps.  I found a couch-5K program and the rest, as they say, is history.

I mastered the mile.  Then, the first time I ran two miles – without stopping – I was in our neighborhood park. I scared the moms with their young children as I fist-bumped, high-fived and woohooed in mid-air.  Three months later I participated in my first official 5K race.

The best by-product of figuring out how to run? Dropping 25 pounds.  At that point it did become more about getting into shape and I wondered, “could I lose 50 lbs by my 50th birthday?”

Although I didn’t hit the 50 pound mark by birthday time, I got close.  An invitation to try a class at Title Boxing Club was the next step in toning up.  The trainers and the workouts helped me to reach my goal. And three years later I am still hitting it hard and feeling the burn with the amazing power hour classes.