So, here we go again!
A year ago this month, I started my running journey. And now with a few 5K's down, and a marathon relay under my belt, I am going to go another round with the 10K!
At the 1st inaugural BGR! conference in Atlanta last September, I signed up to run the 5K, made a wrong turn and ended up on the 10K trail. Let's just say that I started off pretty but it got real ugly towards the end...LOL! But I finished! However, those who know me knows that I'm not one of those women who uses the term "At least I finished!" Heck, I always finish and usually better than I planned. Needless to say, I chalked the Atlanta run up as an experience and kept it moving!
So now the Queen City, yes Charlotte, NC, is hosting the 2nd annual BGR! "Sweat With Your Sole" conference this September and I am psyched! Not only do I get to represent my city, I get to redeem myself and run my first OFFICIAL 10K race. And this time I will be prepared, hands down! This time there won't be any wrong turns! The only wrong turn I could make is to a shorter race and I don't think I'd have any complaints about that.... LOL!
This running venture has had it's ups and downs. However, I am still in it to win it and have inspired many of my family members and friends along the way. I can honestly say that I made an assist in getting a lot of women off the couch and living healthier lives. I am proud!
How do you get started? That is the question?
First, you have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired! You have to get a big kick in the rear end, whether it be physical or mental that makes your mind say enough is enough! I know I did a year ago when I was tipping the scale more than 20 lbs than I am today! What was my motivation? Honestly, I just didn't want to be bigger than my man! Yes, I said it! Hey, don' t knock my motivation because all of us are motivated by different things.
Secondly, once you are tired, you have to take action. Do a refrigerator overhaul! Get rid of any food that you can't get from the outside isles in the grocery store. The outside isles contain real food with little to no additives, like fruits, veggies, meat, dairy etc... Being fit and healthy is 90% of what you eat. Sometimes just changing your eating habits can drop the lbs without exercise. And, once you change your eating habits, you won't even crave unhealthy foods anymore. And nowadays you can find all the foods you love to eat in healthier choices.
Third, get active! Join your local BGR! group, and if your city doesn't have one, then you can be the driving force to start a chapter in your city. But don't let lack of a BGR! chapter stop you. You can download any of the FREE couch to 5K (c25k) apps and start at the beginning with running. These apps take you from walking to running a full 5k in 9 weeks. If you can't run, because of health issues, then walking is great as well. And if you can't walk, then take it to the pool! LOL! Lack of exercise is detrimental to trying improving weight loss. You just have to suck it up and do it! All it takes is 3 days a week, for at least 30 minutes a day.
So ladies, and gents, eating properly and exercising is the only way of getting healthy, fit and losing the lbs., aside from surgery. Who wants surgery? I have a few friends who had the surgery, but they are back to eating unhealthy and the weight is piling back on. So I'd say surgery does not change the persons frame of mind. It's a temporary solution for an ongoing problem!
The struggle is staying fit and being consistent and that takes discipline and motivation. With 4 out of every 5 African American women in this country overweight, many of us should already be sick and tired! A lazy mind produces ZERO results physically!
I exercise because I must!
I eat healthy because I must!
I do both because I love myself!
Now, you must do it because you love yourself!
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