My motivation to exercise.

[Trappedinafatbody 1]

I know one of the hardest things for me is staying motivated to exercise. I came up with this plan to help me see how far I've come and to motivate me to stick with it.

I purchased a large map of the US and mapped out a journey through all 48 states along with Mexico and Canada. I track the distance that I walk/run/bike each week and then transfer that to my "virtual journey" across the USA. I started walking on January of this year, but didn't get really serious about it until April when I made the decision to have LBS.

I began in Delaware and have traveled through seven states; as of 9/29/09 I am officially in Hattiesburg, MS and have logged in over 1065 miles. My next stop will be New Orleans, Louisiana. I should be there in about three weeks. Whenever I stick a new pin in my map, I go online and learn about the location where I am at currently. I've learned several interesting facts along the way. So I guess you could say this has been a "journey" for the mind and the body.

I have this map on the wall in my office, and it's a great way to keep me motivated to get out there and MOVE. I get a lot of moral support from this too; everyone at work is always checking to see where I'm at. My final goal will be to wrap back around to the East Coast, heading down to Florida. Final destination... Key West. Once I accomplish this "virtually" I intend to treat myself to a well deserved real vacation there!

This whole idea cost less than 10 bucks for the map and pack of map pins at Office Depot. The exercise is free. For those of you with limited budgets, think about giving it a try.

[Sue Magoo 71]

What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing.

Sue

[hdmdavid 0]

I like it. Thanks for the idea.

David

[baby ruth 1]

That is so cool...I'm going to try it.

Thanks, Ruth

[leftover_eidoes 0]

Omg i love it! Thats a fantastic idea! Im in australia so Im so going to copy you and do it myself! Just with a map of Australia.

Thank you so much for your idea, Its fantastic!

[JosieK 120]

trapped....how creative!!!! thata girl!

[dementedfrog83 0]

i'm so stealing ur great idea...that will get me back on my treadmill...especially since i am recovered enough from foot surgery now.

[tapshoes 2]

That's such a great idea! Now I wonder if I can get off my fat butt and go to the store to buy the map.....:biggrin:

Can you tell that exercise ISN'T my thing?

[Trappedinafatbody 1]

I'm glad to hear that others are going to try this also. I have found that it really does motivate me to push myself. Sometimes I'll look at the map and see how far I am from a "destination" and work even harder to get there.

Have fun "traveling" everyone!

[isaviolinist 11]

OMG I love this idea!! And I LOVE vacations, and so I REALLY love the idea of going on a vacation at the end. So awesome!

[bdbmamaw 0]

You are so creative! Where did you get your map? Awesome idea, girl!!!

[Diamond In The Rough2 0]

You are awesome. Who would have thought of that? You are right up there with Einstein in my book. Thanks for sharing.

[speck 1]

You are a very smart person!!!!! Love it!

I know one of the hardest things for me is staying motivated to exercise. I came up with this plan to help me see how far I've come and to motivate me to stick with it.

I purchased a large map of the US and mapped out a journey through all 48 states along with Mexico and Canada. I track the distance that I walk/run/bike each week and then transfer that to my "virtual journey" across the USA. I started walking on January of this year, but didn't get really serious about it until April when I made the decision to have LBS.

I began in Delaware and have traveled through seven states; as of 9/29/09 I am officially in Hattiesburg, MS and have logged in over 1065 miles. My next stop will be New Orleans, Louisiana. I should be there in about three weeks. Whenever I stick a new pin in my map, I go online and learn about the location where I am at currently. I've learned several interesting facts along the way. So I guess you could say this has been a "journey" for the mind and the body.

I have this map on the wall in my office, and it's a great way to keep me motivated to get out there and MOVE. I get a lot of moral support from this too; everyone at work is always checking to see where I'm at. My final goal will be to wrap back around to the East Coast, heading down to Florida. Final destination... Key West. Once I accomplish this "virtually" I intend to treat myself to a well deserved real vacation there!

This whole idea cost less than 10 bucks for the map and pack of map pins at Office Depot. The exercise is free. For those of you with limited budgets, think about giving it a try.

[healthy-me-in-Az 0]

I stumbled across a website that actually did this for you once. I can't find it anymore. :thumbup:

It's a great idea!

[Jenai 0]

I do this too. Except I do it online. It's kind of fun to record your miles. This is the website I use:

Gmaps Pedometer

It is a fun idea.