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As a diet and fitness coach, I understand the unique challenges that mums face when trying to stay active and fit. Between juggling family, work, and personal time, finding the motivation to exercise can be tough. That's why I want to share my personal journey with running and how it has become a surprisingly enjoyable and effective way to stay in shape.
My Running Journey
Running has never been my favourite form of exercise. In fact, I used to get bored after just five minutes! To keep my workouts interesting and effective, I've always incorporated high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to get my cardio in. However, during my recent cut, I needed a way to sustain my heart rate for longer periods, and running seemed like the quickest and easiest solution. So, I laced up my running shoes and hit the pavement (or treadmill).
Before I started lifting weights, I only ran occasionally. I still remember my personal best (PB) for a 5K being around 28 minutes when I was 25 years old – back when I had a lot more spring in my step! Now, years later, I've been determined to break a 30-minute 5K again.
Celebrating Small Wins
Yesterday, I had a breakthrough. According to the treadmill, I ran a 5K in under 30 minutes! My watch, however, said I only ran 4.6 kilometers. After doing some research, I found out that treadmills are generally more accurate, so I'm taking it as a win! This small victory has ignited a new challenge within me. It's funny how you can start an exercise for one reason and continue doing it for entirely different reasons. For me, it's my competitive streak – even if it's just competing with myself!
Finding Your Motivation
Every mum has a different motivation for running or exercising. Whether it's to lose weight, increase energy levels, or simply have some "me time," finding what drives you is crucial. Here are a few tips to keep you motivated:
Set Realistic Goals:Â Start with achievable targets. If you're new to running, aim for a certain distance or time and gradually increase it.
Track Your Progress:Â Use a running app or a fitness tracker to monitor your improvements. Celebrate small victories to keep yourself motivated.
Mix It Up:Â If you get bored easily, like me, try incorporating HIIT or interval training into your runs to keep things interesting.
Join a Community:Â Whether it's an online group or a local running club, having a support system can keep you accountable and motivated.
Tap the image to join out Fit Mum Facebook Chat Group
A place for fit mums and @thisfitmum members to chat, arrange meet ups and empower each other
5. Make it Fun:Â Listen to your favourite music or podcasts, explore new routes, or run with friends to make your runs enjoyable.
Let's Smash Our Goals Together!
Now that I've shared my journey, I want to hear about yours! What is your fastest 5K time, and what is your goal? Let's all put our goals down in the comments and make the commitment to try and smash them together. Whether you're aiming for a new PB or just trying to make running a regular part of your routine, let's support each other every step of the way.
Remember, it's not about being the fastest or the fittest; it's about making progress and enjoying the journey. Let's lace up our shoes, hit the road, and run towards our goals – one step at a time!
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