Last night I went running for the first time in my life.
I've never been athletic. I hated competitive sports, because I hated never being "good enough", hated being watched by others, and judged for my inadequate performance. I failed P.E. in High School (yes, apparently that's possible) and had to retake it. I was the kid who "walked the mile" during national testing. Never been one for "stamina", a short jog leaving me breathless, heart pounding, nauseous.
I've always enjoyed solitary outdoorsmanship, though. Biking and hiking, mostly. I enjoy the peace of the forest, being alone with my thoughts.
It never occurred to me that I'd like to run, because I hate so much being seen by people on the street.
While exercising in my living room yesterday evening, doing aerobic bouncing around in place, I suddenly decided to put on my shoes and just try it. After all, if I could spend 10 minutes jogging in place, why couldn't I do it while going somewhere?
So off I go, through my favorite graveyard walk, in my gym pants and tank top, iPod in hand.
I did a lot better than I thought I would, but I can only got like a thousand feet before having to stop. Plus I haven't got quite the hang of pacing yet - I need to learn what my body wants to do. At the moment I think I still weigh too much and it's making it harder, but as I lose weight and practice more, it will get better.
You can do anything you put your mind to, I suppose! Don't let people tell you otherwise.
(Giving the ladies at work diet and exercise tips amuses me to no end.)
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AGE: 28 
4 voices:
Running is something you have to build up to doing a lot of. It's tough at first. I've been running faithfully for what seems like forever and i still can't beat my record of a just under 10 minute mile. I'm every bit as un-athletic as you, but keep up the good work and you will see progress.
What sort of diet and exercise tips do you give? Haha. I give my friend diet tips. I'm all like, "Oh yeah, just stay around 1500 Cals a day and you'll lose." Yeah right. That's a huge amount of calories!!! I'd never consider it, but it does seem to work for him. I'd love to hear your stories :)
Ana's Girl: You're right, I just need to "build up" to it. I'll get there.
Like you, I just told them to cut their calories down. I told them about websites where you can count them. And said all the "safe" things, of course, "don't go under 1200" and all that.
Of course, my highest day this week was 600. You CAN lose weight by cutting calories down to 1500, but it's not going to go very fast.
I'm just the same way with sports. I hate team sports and pretty much anything that puts me into contact with other people; I guess I'm just a misanthrope :)
I started running in April and I don't necessarily love it, but I do like what it's done for me. And strangely enough, it does get addicting.
Good luck with everything and stay strong!
That's wonderful about running! How inspirational....I detest sports : / I love to bike, hike, and rock climb, but for some reason I've never been able to run. And I admire anyone who runs at all, even if it's just a little bit at a time, because I just can't do it for some reason....
Haha! That's funny about giving the "safe" diet advice ; )
Stay strong <3
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