I have always hated running. Actually, no, I love Sprinting and anything under 400m. Anything over 400m and although I have taken part in 5k, 10k and even a couple of half marathons. I have hated EVERY single second of it.
Yes, I totally get that running is great exercise, good to clear your head, cheap, easy to get into blah blah blah. I desperately want to like it and to add to my Instagram bio “Runner”. i’d love to be that person who just casually runs 6 miles on a Sunday, taking in all the beautiful countryside without breaking a sweat. I have a wardrobe full of running clothing and even got some running kit for Christmas…..surely, I’m 50% of the way there?
If you’ve read any of my previous blogs, you will know that one of the main things I write about, and stress to my clients, is that you have to enjoy what you are doing to make it part of your lifestyle! Yes and I know that is right BUT I really want running to be my thing.
Why you might ask?
Well I’m not really sure to be honest. A few years ago I managed to make myself like lettuce and salmon, so I was confident training myself to like running would be a breeze. I’ve since found that is not the case!
It would be so easy for me to fall into the trap of “just giving it a go” (like I do most January’s) because everyone on my timeline is doing it. Maybe there is an event that one of my friends has roped me into entering. Or because (and probably more the reality) I want to share post run selfies of me in all my new running gear! Yes, I know how narcissistic that sounds, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a factor.
So what am I going to do?
Well, its safe to say I wont be running! I’d love to be telling you all that I’m doing a 5 day split training programme with added cardio/yoga – and at some point in Spring I will be. However, I would be stupid to jump into something that intense at the moment with hardly training in December.
I am going to have to start slowly with whatever exercise I do. It is so tempting, especially in January, to hit the gym hard and throw myself into training 5 times a week. I really have to stop myself pushing to hard with training because my brain thinks its fitter than my body. We all know how that ends…..usually by not being able to walk for a week and googling “can you die from DOM’s”.
Keep it simple
I’ve always loved working out in the gym lifting weights and so for me, my new year workout will probably start with that. I know I really enjoy it and I am confident with what I am doing when I’m there. It’s a great place for me to start getting back into some kind of routine.
My January plan will probably be pretty simple and look something like this:
- 2 x Full body resistance workouts (gym based)
- 1 x Ashtanga yoga class (online)
- Daily 45 min walk – both for the exercise and for the Vitamin D and fresh air! Plus we’ve got a dog so have no excuse to get outside daily with her.
If I’m feeling like an extra workout some weeks, then I will probably do one of our Under30 workouts from Sigma OnDemand. However, Im not scheduling this as I know I wont manage it every week. I don’t want to set myself up to fail from the outset. I think it’s really important that we make our workout goals realistic, not just in terms of what our body can do. But also in terms of what fits in with our lifestyle and what we have going on each week.
What else?
Actually the main change I will be making in January is my fluid intake! I cant believe how bad I’ve become over the past few months with drinking water! I can totally feel the difference in terms of foggy head, lethargy and general motivation when I’m surviving on coffee and alcohol! And I reckon I’ve probably been doing that since mid November!
It is amazing the difference hydrating properly makes you feel. I think I’m also going to cut out the booze for a few weeks once I get back from my holiday as this usually helps me get back into a good training routine.
What are your plans for physical activity in January?
