5 Ways Running Changed My Life
I always wanted to be a runner but never had the motivation to get out there and hit the pavement. I finally found the motivation when my husband convinced me to sign up for a 5K race in 2017. Since then, running has had a major impact on my life in a couple of ways.
1. I Started Strength Workouts
Because I am competitive by nature, it wasn’t enough to just finish my run and go home. I had to make sure I was getting faster (or at least not slower) with every run. That meant that I had to do hills, sprints, etc but also strength exercises for support. Because of running, I started to do the workouts I always knew were beneficial but I never had the motivation to do.
2. I Developed Better Eating Habits
I didn’t want all of my hard work to go to waste so I started making healthier eating choices. After waking up at 5am and running for 30 minutes, I feel compelled to say no to the free donuts in the breakroom. I also began drinking a lot more water so that I would stay hydrated. In order to track exactly how much water I was drinking and record what I ate, I used a food log. If you would like a food log of your own, I have one in my free resource library.
3. My Relationship Improved
My husband is in the military and physical fitness is one of his passions. Once I started running, it became a new activity for us to take part in together. Instead of him being on the game and me being on my phone, we were able to run together, enjoy nature, and talk to each other without interruption.
4. My Mood Improved
There are times when I’m super groggy when I wake up but I still tie up my laces and get moving. After the run, I feel energized and in a much better mood. When you run (or exercise in general) endorphins get released that put you in a better mood. Whenever I have a stressful day, I don’t avoid running because I need to relax. Instead, I use that as a reason to run and clear my mind.
5. I Developed a Routine
Since I prefer to run in the mornings, I started a night routine so that I don’t have to rush getting ready for work after my run. I pick my outfit for the next day, pack my lunch, and sleep in my workout clothes. Then in the mornings, I am able to get out of bed, throw some shoes on, and head out the door. After my run, I still have time to enjoy breakfast before I leave the house. My night routine helped me so much that I even have time in the mornings to work on my blog.
