Keeping My Momentum

Working out has been a challenge.  I've always hated to let my workout routine slip and then try to get back to it.  It gets harder each time I have to “get back into shape.”  I think it's a much better idea to just stay in shape, to be bikini ready all year round.  And for fifteen years, that is how I lived my life.  Not that I had a perfect body all those years, I didn't, but fitness was programmed into my day, so I didn't have to think about it I just did it.  But, life changes.  Routines change.  And now, three years after so many big and difficult changes have happened, I'm still struggling to get fitness back into my regular schedule.  

I've never been a jogger.  Ever.  If you ever see me out running, you'd better start running too because there is definitely something chasing me.  I've tried running a few times over the years starting in my late teens, but not only did I hate it, there have been a couple of times that I finally felt like I was making progress only to pull a hamstring and have to stop jogging for several painful months while it healed.  By the time I recovered, I would have to start from the very beginning again and that sounded beyond awful, so I usually gave up and tried something else.  

This summer a friend asked me to start jogging with her.  She's former military and was looking to try to get her military body back after years spent sitting at a desk.  I didn't want to.  At all.  But, I didn't really have a good reason not to.  So, three mornings a week for the past two months, we meet at a park and jog—not together, I could never keep up with her and she's not interested in going as slowly as I do.  I don't keep track of my time, but I know I've made progress since she only passes me once now instead of two or three times.  

These last few weeks however I was strongly considering canceling.  I just had zero interest in jogging.  No matter how many times I try it, I still hate it.  But, I did want to honor my commitment to my friend and I do want to make fitness a regular part of my day again, so as a compromise, I brought my bike to the park.  My friend cocked an eyebrow when she saw it.  I shrugged.  “I'm being active and that's the point,” I said.  It was her turn to shrug and she took off on her jog.  Within a minute or so, I was next to her and starting to pass her.  “Wow!” I shouted over my shoulder, “It feels so much better to be the one doing the passing instead of getting passed.”  We laughed and she mocked shaking her fist.  I rode twice the distance I normally jog in the same amount of time.  My heart was racing and my legs felt like jelly afterward—ask anybody, that's a good workout.

 I brought my bike again the next day and on our third day that week, I decided to hike one of the shorter trails instead of jogging.  I needed to keep going with my exercise, but somehow still get a break and riding my bike was the perfect compromise.  This week I'm back at jogging, doing only slightly less well than I was before the break, but still moving forward with my goal of getting exercise into my everyday.  In case you're wondering, I don't normally show up dressed like this for a workout.  I absolutely dress like this for a leisurely pleasure ride on quiet paths, but there's nothing leisurely about the way I ride when I'm exercising.  

I asked my friend to snap a few pics on the trail before we got started with our jog/ride and she obliged me.  I also caught a quick pic of this little toad who did not keep me company on my ride, but I could tell he wished me well.  Then I changed into workout shorts and tank and of course sneakers instead of heels.  Whether it's a workout or just a de-stressing sort of ride it always boosts my mood and puts a smile on my face and when you find something you enjoy it's so much easier to make it a part of your routine.

Shopping Info: Outfit from Shein, heels from ModCloth