You’re finally ready to level up your running. You’ve got big goals and a big race or perhaps several races in mind. Congratulations! You plan to finally start running consistently, start a strength training program, change your diet and improve your flexibility. You’re ready to go all in!
But before you go all in, let’s make sure that you set yourself up for long term success. While each of the things above are beneficial to running and you should do them, the reality is that when you try to tackle them all at once you actually increase the likelihood of failure. What? You read that right. Making too many changes at one time will more than likely cause you to quit and give up before you start to see any real progress.
Too many changes all at once, even though positive, can make you feel overwhelmed and inadequate. You may struggle to find the time to get them all done and question your commitment level. A better way is to make one change at time, master it, then add a new change. By allowing yourself to get good one thing, your confidence will increase and when your confidence increases then so does your commitment level.
Spend two to three weeks on each activity before you add a new one. You want it to truly feel like it is a natural part of your routine and start seeing progress before taking on another activity. Seeing progress increases your confidence and your belief in yourself. You will be more motivated to take on the challenge of a new activity because you’ve already had success.
Use this same concept as you start to make changes to your diet. Make those changes gradually so it doesn’t feel like a punishment and you can build your confidence and motivation over time. A few years ago I worked with a nutritionist following my diagnosis of lymphocitic colitis. Together we made small tweaks to my diet over a 6 week period and it made it much easier to stay on track and eventually wean off the medicine after my body healed.
Don’t get discouraged if this process takes awhile. Remind yourself of the positive benefits you are reaping from the changes you have already made. Give yourself permission to enjoy that success and don’t beat yourself up for what you have yet to accomplish. Look for pockets of time for strength training and stretching such as doing those while watching television with your family.
Finally, don’t get caught up in the social media comparison game. Remember those photos are the highlight reels and you’re not seeing their messy middle. This is your body and your journey. Treat it with respect and enjoy the processes of working towards your goals!
Hi Beverly! I too have dealt with issues that caused me to develop an auto-immune disease back in 2001. After moving to Arkansas 9 years ago I often found myself feeling really alone because I didn’t know anyone, but then made some local friends. Even after moving over to Little Rock, all of my friends were health coaches. I thank social media for helping me to have people to talk to (friends and family back in Michigan and here in Arkansas) That connection is invaluable. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized that if I am under stress I don’t even know it. I don’t really feel it physically. This dumbfounded me because my stress hormone was high, but I didn’t feel bad. Anxiety also acts similarly like fear towards me, but I do feel the butterflies of anxiety now. Working out on a regular basis has helped me to squash stress and anxiety. Plus now, cbd oil has been the biggest and most fantastic way I have been able to cope after being homebound and stuck on the couch since April with a severely sprained ankle. Even getting on a plane (which I hate to do) I had no anxiety at all. I feel super relaxed these days, and finally I am able to begin working out….not running at this time, but I can move and walk a few miles a day now. It has been so helpful to connect with other coaches like yourself and speak more about this. In not speaking about it more diseases can pop up unexpectedly and we never want this to happen. It is time to Heal. Love ya Beverly!!
Great points Heidi! Like you, I didn’t even know I was suffering from anxiety until I sought help sorting through all the craziness in my life. Hmm…CBD oil…who knew! I agree, we need to speak out more. I think too many people put up a front and suffer in silence!
Thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave. If you ever want to compare notes on fear, anxiety, grief, not being able to get out of bed, coping with and without running as your crutch, reinventing yourself, truly finding your faith in Christ; my heart always has time and a place for you and your twin!!! ❤️ Conlin.cathy@gmail.com
Oh I bet you could Cathy! Thank you so much for sharing. I don’t think we talk about mental health enough. I am so proud of you for finding your faith and strength in the Lord. He is ever present, evening our worst storms!
Hi Beverly,
I so miss connecting with you all! I too have very much shared your journey. I’m on the other side of it now but am changing many things in my life wich as you know comes with its own grieving as we leave the old behind. It’s lovely to see you share your story as I know it helps many of us.
Would love to get together again.
Hugs,
Kelley
Kelley I miss you too! Thank you for your kind words and your support. We need to get the Soul Sisters together again!