I’ve started running! This may not seem like some crazy piece of news, but I’ve been talking about starting running and complaining about how I can’t run for years. Seriously, YEARS!!! I used to be such a sporty little kid, and was once deemed the fastest kid in class in elementary school. But once I hit puberty, I lost most of my speed. I also stopped growing at 5” 2 and just couldn’t compete with all my gangly-legged peers.

Believe it or not, I was even part of my high school’s rugby team, and sure there was a fair bit of running involved, but I always had problems breathing. I also remember having to do this dreaded 12 minute run every so often in gym class. I know running around a gym non-stop for 12 minutes doesn’t seem that terrible, but after a few minutes of running I just couldn’t keep up with everyone, and unfortunately we were marked on how many laps we could do. Deep down I knew it wasn’t because I was out of shape, and maybe it was me not wanting to find out that there was something wrong with me, but it wasn’t until last year that I finally went to a doctor to check it out.

After describing my symptoms to my doctor, she easily deduced that I had exercise-induced asthma. I should have known too because my dad has something similar. The thing is, I didn’t really know he did. Or at least thought he didn’t have asthma anymore. You see, he works out all the time. I mean, he’s currently doing whatever the next, next level of Tony Horton’s Insanity is. And it wasn’t until I told him about my condition that I found out he uses a puffer once and a while. When I found this out, I figured it was time to stop making excuses and get to work!

Honestly, as much as I love my sweets and calorie-filled beers and wines, I really do want to be healthy and fit, and I don’t want to end up like one of those elderly people who has a bunch of health issues because of their poor health when they were younger. I also don’t want to become a bulging bride. Yes, I fully admit that part of the reason I want to stay fit is out of pure vanity, but please, I doubt I’m alone in this.

Looking back, I’m not quite sure what finally clicked in my brain, perhaps it was just a really stressful day or something, but about a month ago on a Tuesday after work, I put my hair up, put on my running gear, and just started running. My BF also started running now that I think of it, so that probably had something to do with it too. Anywho, that was several weeks ago, and I’m still sticking to it. I usually run on Mondays and Tuesdays after work for about 30 minutes, but I’m finally starting to see progress. I’m getting faster, my breathing isn’t such an issue anymore, and I’m actually starting to enjoy myself while running. Sometimes there’s just nothing like going for a run, blowing off some steam, and listening to some great music on your iPod.

So if you are making excuses like I did (and still do sometimes), and don’t want to exercise because gym memberships are too expensive or you are too tired after work, take it from me, once you start and stick to it for a little while, you really will begin to love it. Especially in these dark days of fall and soon winter, those endorphins kicking in after a work out are totally worth running around for half an hour.

How do you try to stay fit on the cheap? What are your thoughts on running?

-Mo’ Houses out!

(Image: lusi/rgbstock)