You Can Do It!

You have thought about getting healthy . . .

But you just don't know where to start. I never exercised when I was younger and never even played sports in middle or high school. I became somewhat athletic when I joined a softball league in my 20's.  I went on to become a fairly good outfielder and excelled at running the bases because I was quick and teachable. I played softball into my mid 30's and quit once our daughters started playing sports and there wasn't time in our schedules for mom and daughters to play. They won out and I gave up softball.

I didn't start exercising regularly again until my early 40's when a good friend asked me if I would like to run in a 5K run with her. I had never even run a mile before!  So, I started a journey of what has become a life habit and began "training" for a 5K. Running is a great sport that doesn't require a lot of equipment. A decent pair of running shoes, a pair of shorts, t-shirt, and sports bra and you are in business! And it doesn't even have to match!

I began running/walking using driveways as my benchmarks. I would set a goal to run so many driveways, then walk a few, and just kept the pattern going until I was running more than walking. Eventually I was running the whole way! 

The 5K came and went, and running became a regular routine for me that I looked forward to.  In order for running or exercise to become routine, you MUST work through the drudgery that comes in the beginning.  You will say, "I really don't want to do this today!"  You WILL get to the point when you will say, "I want to do this today."  It does happen, I assure you.  You will then feel better when you do it and worse when you don't.  Most people don't get to this point because they don't stick with it long enough.

My regular running routine began with my sweet friend where we ran together for 8 years Monday-Friday at 5:45 am in Michigan, through every temperature and weather condition! I thank Liz for developing a love for running that I didn't even know was there. My days of running all began with an invitation. 

So, how can this help you?  If you already run regularly, think about someone you could invite to join you. You never know; you could change her life like Liz changed mine. If you aren't a runner but would love to start, begin your journey by walking each day, and running a little more each time as you build up your cardio strength.  Then, consider inviting someone to join you!  You will find it will keep you on track knowing someone is going to be there and you may help each other build a routine of healthy living!  The important part of having a partner is to create a schedule and hold each other accountable to being there!

I would love to hear if you start a running routine or invite a friend to your run!  To your health!