6 Reasons Why I Should Start Running

My friend sent me an article called, “6 Reasons to Start Running.” It reminded me of things I knew; reasons why we should just be working out in general. But then I decided I needed some reasons that were more personal.

If you’ve been following the feather files from the beginning, you know that my very first post was about getting into running. Since then, I have been in and out and in and out. While I am not where I was 3.5 years ago, I am also worse off than I have been at times. I want to work out, but the excuses wear me down each evening and it just doesn’t happen.

6 Reasons why I should Start Running

1.       I don’t want to be fat. It’s true that I am too self-conscious of myself. I hardly ever wear shorts because I can’t stand my thighs touching each other. My knees are awkward and ugly. I’m not happy when I can feel my stomach bunch up into rolls when I sit. Without working out, my legs will continue further down the road of cellulite and spider veins. I don’t handle the effects of gaining weight very well, and running will help me avoid that future. (*For those of you wanting to scroll down to the bottom and scream in all caps, "YOU'RE NOT FAT," I know that. I'm strictly speaking in the preventative sense in that I don't want to put on unnecessary weight, which if I continue as I am, will happen in the years to come.)

2.       I love food. I can’t be one of those people who limits themselves to eating a very small amount of food and I will not ban ice cream from our home forever. Scientifically and mathematically, I need to use that which I consume. So, if I am not going to give up food, I’d better take up exercise.

3.       I like healthy. Activity is healthy, it is also non-existence in my 8-5 office job with a 40 minute daily commute. When I ran jogged this morning, my lungs and heart were not used to exertion. They struggled to keep up and, although my legs were willing, the rest of my body was shocked that I would subject it to anything more than a walk around the neighborhood at a relatively fast pace. My stomach even threatened to show me in a more real way the shock it was undergoing. (Fortunately, I was able to coax it back to a happier state.) Healthy food alone will not improve my health; activity must be included.

4.       June 2, 2012. A friend and I signed up and paid the registration for a 10k listed as one of Runner’s World Magazine’s top ten hills. It’s something that I need to be ready for and it is the deadline that I need.

5.       Sanity & Schedule. I rarely have a bad night’s sleep, but I remember that working out regularly makes sleep even more enjoyable and inviting. Going to bed having done something other than sitting is a really good feeling. Making time for working out/running crams the schedule a little tighter, but honestly a tight schedule is sometimes more helpful than a loose one.

6.       Hubs. Hubs likes running and he likes healthy exercise. He is happy when he makes time for it, and I probably am, too. Hubs also likes an attractive wife and I know he thinks I’m more attractive with my thighs don’t touch either other as much and I don’t have to suck in to have flat abs.

So, a gym membership is going to have to happen and activity, including running, will begin again. It’s not even the New Year and I’m ready for the change