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Running offers improvement in self-image, confidence |
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Tuesday, 10 July 2007 |
As someone who relishes short-term goal accomplishment, my fitness regimen has never included any long-term goals to run a race or lose a certain number of pounds.
However, I started running last Christmas after reading a running plan in a magazine that actually seemed doable.
While most plans asked that I run some absurd number of miles on Day One, this particular plan only required that I run five minutes.
I thought, five minutes, I think I can do that.
So I did – and instead of picking up mileage on each run, I simply added time – either one or two minutes.
Soon, I was running 25 minutes without stopping, a completely new feat for me.
I continued running inside through Boone’s never-ending winter, and in
June, I ran a five-mile race in New York City’s Central Park.
Alongside over 5,000 other runners, I pushed through five miles of hills, decline and fresh horse manure.
I finished 3,693rd - but I was elated.
My 51:21 time wasn’t quite good enough to win any metals or awards, but I had run it all, without walking a minute.
That day proved to me the overwhelming ability of our bodies to do things we never thought they were capable of.
In December, I huffed through five minutes on the treadmill.
In June, I huffed through five miles on the road.
It was the greatest accomplishment of my life thus far, and it felt fantastic.
My newfound running hobby is one step I have made in the effort to achieve an improved body image.
The “perfect” body image portrayed by celebrities and the media is no
secret to college women today – in fact, it is a staple in our brains.
It is easy for someone to tell us that looks are not that important,
and they aren’t. But feeling good about the image you are showing the
world is essential.
Since I began running, I have lost 13 pounds.
I certainly did not break any weight-loss records in this six-month period, but I am happy to say I achieved it healthily.
When you simply cut something out of your diet, you may lose a few pounds.
But unless you intend to never eat another piece of bread again in your life, it is likely you will gain the weight back.
My diet is pretty lenient. It basically just involves not eating half a bag of cookies in one sitting.
But if I do, it’s not the end of the world.
Because I make an effort to exercise at least five times per week, I feel worlds better.
I will dance around in a bikini in front of anyone – certainly not
because I have the perfect body, but because I know I am actively
making an effort to obtain my best body.
If you do the same, you will feel good about yourself regardless of how many pounds you shed.
My body has not undergone any huge changes, but the mental improvement of being active has given me a completely new outlook.
If your negative body image has similar repercussions on how you view
yourself, I urge you to take advantage of the limitless opportunities
for being active in this area.
If it feels uncomfortable while you are doing it, it’s likely to make you feel amazing after.
The post-run feeling is one of absolute bliss- it is enough to keep me huffing through my playlist time after time.
Millie's Work Out Plan
Walk for 5 minutes at the beginning and end of each run. Only run every
other day.
Weeks 1-2: Warm up, then run for 5 minutes, adding 1 minute to each run.
You'll progress from 5-12 minutes.
Week 3: Add 2 minutes per run, going from 14-20 minutes.
Week 4: Add 3 minutes per run, going from 23-32 minutes.
Weeks 5-6: Add 4 minutes per run, going from 36-64 minutes.
Millie's modification to this plan is this:
No one says you have to get to 64 minutes in six weeks. It wasn't
until three months into my running that I ran for an hour.
Make it through week four, because you can definitely do that, and then
decide what to add.
If you want to keep adding three, add three. If you want to add two,
add two. If you want to add two, then add four, then add 0, then minus
4, do just that.
Just make sure you keep running, at whatever level satisfies you!
Millie found this workout plan in Firness Magazine.
(www.fitnessmagazine.com)
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Congratulations on completing the race -- that's a fantastic accomplishment. I couldn't agree more about the mental improvement that results from being active. Making the most of what you have -- and keeping your body healthy and strong -- is really what it's all about.
Keep running,
Dara Chadwick
2007 Weight-Loss Diary columnist
Shape magazine
www.darachadwick.com