It’s the start of a new year, and I find myself vowing to exercise and lose weight. What a cliché! But, honestly, I don’t care. Trying to avoid the cliche would require ignoring the truth about my current circumstances. Fortunately, my new year’s resolution means returning to the healthy habits—and, more importantly, the healthy mindset—that I have enjoyed for several years. Most who know me also know that I began running about 4 years ago and it changed my life, so I’ve been a “running evangelist” ever since. In the past few months, however, I have seriously fallen out of my rhythm.
I very much see and feel the consequences of months of not running regularly and of eating very poorly. More than that, I am facing a fact that must be addressed: I’ve been letting racism and other very American -isms win.
I have shared before that I run because it helps me to resist the many ways in which American culture works to steal my joy and health, if not my life. By revealing that personal truth, I have had the honor of convincing many people to try running and reap its countless benefits. It’s time for me to re-visit all that great advice and get back to being proactive about self-care.
I started New Year’s day with a 40-minute run/walk. I am truly starting over. That’s just a fact. No shame about it. I will take it easy because I still care more about moving for the rest of my life than about conquering particular challenges, such as a full marathon or completing races at a certain speed.
My concrete goals are to 1) exercise at least three times per week; 2) get back to the fitness level and size at which I felt my best; and 3) get back to maximizing the synergy I have enjoyed between my running and my writing.
I hope you will join me on this journey!!! I will post at least once per week about how my week went, and I will share the lessons I learn along the way, just as all running/walking buddies do in person. I hope you will find something useful in my posts, and I hope you’ll tell me in the comments what kinds of things I could share that might be even more helpful to you.
Here’s to a strong, inspired, productive 2015!
I’m looking forward to seeing you back out there! I know you inspired me tremendously when I started running.
This is SO appreciated, Felicia. You have become one of my biggest inspirations. I’m aiming for your kind of enthusiasm and consistency!
I absolutely love this post. I’m with you Koritha. I’m currently embracing the heck out of this cliché! I had to block that negative voice in my head that was trying to remind me that I started out strong last year and then fell off big time when I started school in May. That’s ok. I’m going to commit and succeed this year! I look forward to your posts.
Thank you so much, Carie. Wow! I feel you on needing to block the negative voice in my head. At least one of these posts is going to have to be about exactly that. I had some thoughts and feelings last night that really surprised me but also made me put myself in other people’s shoes. It made me understand the trouble people would have believing me when I told them it didn’t matter how fast or slow they were when they came out to BGR! meet-ups. If we are judging ourselves, it can be difficult to believe that others aren’t doing the same thing. My sincerity didn’t matter to some newbies. Now, I understand that a bit better and am even more determined to find ways to help people overcome that. Yep, Carie. We’re doing this!
Good luck, it sounds like you have GREAT reasons to want to get back into the swing of things. Keep those in mind, and you’ll rock it 🙂
Much appreciated! Yes, it’s all about staying connected to one’s reasons. Like most things, it is easier said than done, but it definitely can be done. Thanks so much for the support!