Making the Decision to Run

I always say that I started my running journey by default. At the time that I began, it was the only exercise option that I had. In the past, I had enjoyed indoor cycling and bike riding more but I dreaded running/jogging and tried to avoid it at all costs. You see, my relationship with running wasn’t always the best. In high school, I just couldn’t understand why people would want to run for sport; like voluntarily putting their lungs and their body through that kind of torture. As I got older, I would watch people in my neighborhood run with their chests out proud and ponytails swinging looking calm and comfortable, almost serene and therapeutic. Unfortunately, when I tried to do it, my experience was everything but therapeutic. I experienced shin splints, chest pains, burning lungs, injuries, swollen knees from arthritis and so many other things. I thought to myself, "this is the devil!" and decided to tuck that away and speak of it no more! 

Sadly, I couldn't tuck it away too long. Over the past few years, I had allowed myself to gain over 225 lbs by the age of 34! Life was doing what it does best and food was my fatal friend, stress reliever, and comforter. However, I soon realized that food didn't care about me as much as I did it. My health was affected both physically and mentally and I had to take the time to re-examine my relationship with food. I began eliminating certain foods and started introducing new food habits which actually jump-started my weight loss. I watched YouTube videos and read tons of books on clean eating and the dynamics of the body just to educate myself on how food affects the body in both good and bad ways! Since I was losing weight from the changes I had made in my diet,  I realized that my body was ready for another challenge. So I decided to give running another!

You may ask, "Why didn't she just join a gym or use other equipment?" I get it and thought the same thing myself, but unfortunately at that time, I was broke! The gym membership that I had was severely past due, in collections and I could not afford the monthly gym fees at that time. I also had an old bike that conveniently broke during this time and I couldn't afford a new one. Again, life was back at it performing its greatest hits on complicating my life! However, just as I was about to give up and procrastinate again, God spoke to me and said, "What do you have left?" I began to do a self-evaluation and realized that all I had left was my feet and all that there was left for me to do was run. So I decided to run!

Have you ever been at a crossroads in your life when your only options were to sink or swim? When all that you had, was ALL that you had? Has life ever left you stranded and the only thing left was to take a risk and run? Running as a metaphor for doing something that pushes you out of your comfort zone to change the trajectory of your life. Your run could be in health/wellness or you taking a faith leap to do something that you have been dreaming of doing but never knew how, or never had the courage to do. Whatever your run is, it won't be a successful run until you have found your WHY.

Have you found the "WHY" for your run? A reason strong enough that doesn't allow you to quit when things get rough; your purpose for the run? Whatever your "WHY," what matters the most is the strength in your "WHY!" Your "WHY" has to be strong enough to motivate and withstand you during the times when things get difficult. And believe me, it isn't easy! 3 years ago, I made the decision to leave the 9-5 workforce, after a continuous cycle of layoffs that resulted in no forward momentum. What I'd learned was, that no one valued my time as much as I did and it seemed that the value I put on my time wasn't valued by those who employed me. So I made the decision to step out and create my own opportunity so that I could give others opportunities as well. Once I had made "my decision to run," that is when life hit me the hardest! However, my "WHY" was and still is stronger than whatever life tries to throw at me. If you have a dream, a calling, or a desire to do something that could change your life for the better, continue to keep pushing towards your goals because there are so many others and generations coming after you that are depending on you to succeed!

Making the decision is the easy part, seeing it all the way through is the challenge. Remember, life is waiting on YOU to make the decision to RUN!

“Waste your money and you’re all out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” - Michael LeBoeuf

228 lbs vs. 157 lbs

For my daughter to be proud of her mom, makes my "WHY" worth it!
Do you have a "WHY?" What is your "WHY?" 
 I would love for you to share in the comments.