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It all started with a growth spurt in my childhood. I grew about six inches in a two- or three-month period, and as a result, it wrecked my knees. The cartilege couldn't keep up. In order to keep my kneecaps from grinding constantly, my doctor assigned certain muscle-building exercises for my quadriceps. The stronger my quads became, the less pain I experenced in my knees. This was a huge impetus.
I also have hypermobility, as does my sister. It is very important that people with hypermobility keep their muscles strong, or else they have a much greater risk of dislocation. I have had only one dislocation (in a knee when I was a kid). My indolent sister dislocates frequently. My mother, who does not exercise, has arthritis (which doctors tell me I might have) exacerbated by obesity.
Cardio fitness is also very important to me. Within months of being diagnosed with asthma, I couldn't walk for a block slowly without having a terrible attack. I couldn't even speak more than two or three sentences without coughing. Gradually, I've worked myself to the point where I can dance or practice kung fu for three or more hours without needing to take a puff on my puffer. I've also bicycled more than 100 kilometres in a day (in the rain!) without having an asthma attack. And this is on top of my doctor having told me in my youth that I'd probably never be able to go cycling because of my knee problems.
So one of the biggest motivators for my weight-training is simply the urge not to fall apart. If I stop, I have a not-unfounded fear that I may become sick, weak, and racked by constant pain.
I keep myself fit to be a better athlete and artist, and I also do it out of curiosity. Will I be able to lift that heavy weight? What would I look like if I burned off a bit more fat and developed my deltoids more?
My father was a professional athlete in his youth (biathlon), and I suppose part of my urge to keep myself in excellent shape is hereditary. I take after my father in many ways, although I can't see myself being a biathlete. Although I wouldn't mind practicing my marksmanship, cross country skiing never appealed to me enough, much to Dad's chagrin.
To top it all off, I have more than a little pride in my physical fitness level. There's part of me that exercises so I look good in a bikini.
How about you?
I also have hypermobility, as does my sister. It is very important that people with hypermobility keep their muscles strong, or else they have a much greater risk of dislocation. I have had only one dislocation (in a knee when I was a kid). My indolent sister dislocates frequently. My mother, who does not exercise, has arthritis (which doctors tell me I might have) exacerbated by obesity.
Cardio fitness is also very important to me. Within months of being diagnosed with asthma, I couldn't walk for a block slowly without having a terrible attack. I couldn't even speak more than two or three sentences without coughing. Gradually, I've worked myself to the point where I can dance or practice kung fu for three or more hours without needing to take a puff on my puffer. I've also bicycled more than 100 kilometres in a day (in the rain!) without having an asthma attack. And this is on top of my doctor having told me in my youth that I'd probably never be able to go cycling because of my knee problems.
So one of the biggest motivators for my weight-training is simply the urge not to fall apart. If I stop, I have a not-unfounded fear that I may become sick, weak, and racked by constant pain.
I keep myself fit to be a better athlete and artist, and I also do it out of curiosity. Will I be able to lift that heavy weight? What would I look like if I burned off a bit more fat and developed my deltoids more?
My father was a professional athlete in his youth (biathlon), and I suppose part of my urge to keep myself in excellent shape is hereditary. I take after my father in many ways, although I can't see myself being a biathlete. Although I wouldn't mind practicing my marksmanship, cross country skiing never appealed to me enough, much to Dad's chagrin.
To top it all off, I have more than a little pride in my physical fitness level. There's part of me that exercises so I look good in a bikini.
How about you?
