Baby Steps

Last Saturday I did one of my favorite runs through a golf course property that is currently closed and has been used by the immediate neighborhood as an open park space. For running purposes it’s great because you don’t have to worry about traffic, the scenery is beautiful, and there is a nice variety of change in elevation. I can get in a good 7 mile run to and from my house.

The first few times I ran this course I struggled because I was caught off guard by the elevation changes, and I had to walk parts of the course to catch my breath. Now, I don’t really need to worry about having to stop – it’s just a matter of deciding how fast I want to run.

So, what makes the difference between then and now? Well, I’m definitely in better shape, plus I know the terrain and what to expect. But in all of this is the idea of very gradual improvement over time. At the beginning I didn’t really expect to be able to run this course the way I do now, but I could picture the ability to do it in my mind. Getting from the beginning to the present was a matter of monitoring my progress, challenging myself, and being satisfied with small “baby steps” of improvement.

When it comes to health and wellness, or really in any area of life, we often want to improve or make progress, and we can see the end result, but we can’t see how to get there. That’s where you have to break things down into smaller goals that you can see and reach. As you reach one goal, you then establish a new one. We often want the “quick fix,” and we live in an impatient world. However, the reality is this: If you want to make real change you have to settle in for the long run. Big projects, or big changes in your life require a change in lifestyle. There is no easy way – you have to put your head down and put in the hard work.

So, keep your end goals in mind, but be sure to establish smaller, reachable goals as a way of getting from where your are now to where you want to be. It can be done, and you can do it!

Right Here, Right Now

This time of the year often causes us to start thinking about goals and plans for the future. I am a fan of setting goals or resolutions for the new year. I don’t think we should make plans or goals out of sense of duty or obligation, but because it’s helpful to have an idea of where you are headed and where you want to be.

When I started getting more serious about my fitness routine, I didn’t have a specific goal in mind, other than wanting the healthiest life possible. That’s not a very concrete goal! However, as I started running regularly, I was able to start establishing goals in terms of distance and time. I found that these specific targets were very helpful as a way of creating a series of goals to help me progress on a journey towards healthier living.

If you are at the front end of a journey towards greater health, you may realize that you are far from where you want to be. Sometimes this distance between the start and the end can be frustrating and cause you to give up before you even start. Likewise, the same frustration can arise when we are faced with any big goal in other areas, such as jobs or other projects.

When faced with the distance between “start and end,” and tempted to not even start, remember this – you have to start somewhere, and if you never start, then you will certainly never move forward. At the very beginning, decide that you will start Now, not Someday. The best time to start is now, and the best place to start is where you are. Be realistic about you weaknesses, but don’t let them dictate your path. START NOW WHERE YOU ARE and resolve to keep moving forward.

Next Post – Baby Steps

Why Start?

I am far from a world-class runner, but I’ve enjoyed it since I was a teenager. I played multiple sports, and running was a natural addition to my activities. However, my running and fitness activities become inconsistent for about 30 years. I would engage in exercise in fits and starts. I’m sure the story sounds familiar – school, life, family, work – it all competed for my time, and it was all important.

Finally, about 10 years ago, I finally realized that if I wanted to be as healthy as possible and enjoy the second half of my life, I needed be more consistent with exercise. I live in a warm climate that allows for outside activities year around, so getting back into running became a part of my overall plan, and especially in the past 5-6 years I have run most days.

So, I started getting serious about running and fitness because I knew from past experience that it was beneficial, and I was finally motivated to do something about it. The desire to have the best life possible can have that affect!

How does this apply to life in general? First, if you haven’t consistently paid attention to your health and fitness, consider the reasons to focus on your wellness. Be realistic about obstacles, but use your reasons for motivation to focus on possible solutions to those obstacles. Second, we are constantly faced with opportunities and decisions about how we use our time and energy, whether in our personal lives, with family, or work. When faced with this type of decision, you have to ask yourself, “Why do this?” Be aware of your motivations, be realistic about the obstacles, and make your decision.

Next Post – The best time to start is right now and the best place to start is wherever you are.