#whyitrain

As part of HumanaVitality’s commitment to health and well-being, we launched a contest on our Facebook page asking our fans to tell us what motivated them to train and why. The response was overwhelming, and while every single entry was a great story, we chose five winners we felt best embodied the spirit of why we all train…and why a healthier lifestyle is so important to us! Below are excerpts from our inspirational winners.

Dale R. "I Train for my Life"

At 349 pounds, walking was difficult but at least it was something I could do to start getting active. Over the course of two years, I walked off 100 pounds by training [to walk] multiple 5K's and a 10K. The potential of losing weight, earning Vitality Points and achieving Platinum Vitality Status were my motivators. Now I am happy to say that I want to work out for the first time in my life, and others are turning to me for both advice and inspiration.

Laura N. "Strength in Mud"

Three years ago, I started working out, solely to lose weight. I did lose, but what I gained was more important. Last summer, I discovered mud / obstacle races. My husband and I competed in five such races last year and will complete eight this year. Seeing my running times improve and working until I can pull myself over a 6-foot wall has been incredibly motivating for me. I also want to be able to be active with my family. I don't want my kids to wait until their 30s to find the joy in physical fitness.

Sandy W. "I Train for Lee"

My friend Lee inspires me to train. Lee’s a runner [and] believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself. I began walking as a way to maintain my recent weight loss of 90 pounds. She inspired me to run my first 5k and 10k, running beside me the entire way. The day before a 10k run she developed fluid on her lung and was unable participate in the race. Three days later, Lee was diagnosed with Stage-4 ovarian cancer. She is currently undergoing chemo and is unable to walk or run. I have grieved over her illness and miss my friend deeply. I still miss her with every step I take but I realize how important it is to be healthy.

Sara P. "I Train to Fight!"

I train because I have a rare kidney disease called Gitelman Syndrome. My kidneys waste all of my minerals (potassium, magnesium, etc.) so my body does not retain electrolytes. I was born with this disease and have been in and out of hospitals since I was diagnosed at 11 years old. With what my lab values show, I shouldn't even be able to get out of bed! But I have run two half marathons, and many 15K, 10K, and 5Ks! Staying active is how I fight this disease.

Linda T. "Why I Run"

As a younger woman serving in the Navy, I hated running until I figured out the benefits; the way I looked, the way I felt about how I looked, the advancements to my military career, my health. Then, running almost became permanently impossible for me when I was hit by a truck. The result was an open tibia/fibula spiral fracture with bone loss to my left leg. I realized during nearly 300 days of non-weight bearing how much it meant to me to choose to run and how badly I had taken it for granted. I see American Veterans come home that have lost the ability to make this choice, but I see some regain it by giving it everything they have. I train because I can. Most of all, I train for those who cannot.