I never liked running. I have panicked memories of the years when they made us run 1500 meters at my school. It wasn't that far, really, but I always ended up doubled over with a stitch—though strangely, never truly tired.
Although I've always been quite active - I loved playing jump rope at recess, I've always enjoyed walking around the city and in the mountains, and I've gone to gyms and fitness classes semi-constantly all my life - the truth is that I've never liked doing exercise, and I've always ended up with months and even years of interruptions where I haven't put on a shoe.
Fourteen years ago I discovered yoga, and I loved it from day one, but not enough to do it consistently - or enough to make it a physical exercise regimen.
A year and a half ago, I was thinking I should exercise more, but with the excuse that having two small children makes it nearly impossible, I realized that running—something I'd always hated—was the ideal exercise for me: it's cheap, and since you can do it almost anywhere, I didn't have to "waste" time going to the gym. Since then, I go running twice a week, and on my third day of exercise, I take a vinyasa yoga class.
How did the change happen?
I'll tell you, but keep in mind that I'm neither a fitness guru nor a trainer, and my body isn't like the bodies of people who do this professionally—those sculpted bodies are achieved with many more hours and kilometers of exercise than I do—but I don't do fitness, and with my three days of exercise, and the other days of active living, I feel physically strong and mentally serene.
1- When I started running, it was because I felt weak and wanted to stop feeling that way. Two and a half years had passed since my last pregnancy, and with my children sleeping well, I had a bit more energy. I needed to move.
2- I started running with a plan that helps you go from not running at all to doing a 5K race. Although I didn't do it exactly as the plan did, I did start by walking and running a little for about half an hour as the plans suggest (C5K).
3- Every time I went for a run, I did it with the goal of completing a 5K charity race. I signed up without thinking much about it, and knowing that if I didn't prepare for the race it was going to be impossible, I kept motivating myself.
4- While running, I wear headphones and listen to podcasts that entertain or inform me. When I need more motivation, I have a playlist of songs that, whether it's the lyrics or the rhythm, keep me going.
5- I don't run to lose weight; I do it because my body and mind get stronger with every stride. For me, this has been fundamental. Before, when I exercised, I felt I had to do it to fit into some beauty mold. Now I exercise because my body and mind get stronger, and I notice the benefits in every aspect of my life.
6- There are days when I don't feel like running, but I go out anyway, even if it's just for a walk. I always end up running quite a bit and feeling great.
7- On days when I'm in a bad mood, I go for a run to escape, to be alone and perhaps to confront what's bothering me - I come home refreshed.
Since I started running, I've discovered that my whole body is much stronger. My mind is also much more relaxed—even though I run with headphones on. I've found that the 40-60 minutes I spend running/walking are moments when I'm completely focused on myself, and for someone who cares for others, that feeling is liberating.
Since I run twice a week, doing yoga has become necessary. Not only do I stretch the muscles I use during runs, but the 75 minutes of yoga offer me a completely different type of exercise—balancing my body and mind.
I hope my experience helps you discover the exercise that suits you best. Not because you have to do it, or to lose weight; not even to take care of yourself, but because exercising because you want to is simply amazing.
Are you up for it?