Are you sick of hearing me talk about running on here yet?!

Over the past year and a half, running has become a big part of my life and the life of my family. After HATING running for so long – I was the kid walking the mile during gym class or trying to figure out ANY way at all to get out of it – I had no idea how much I would love it at age 32.

Running is my way to stay healthy and fit. Running is my stress relief. I have accomplished goals I never thought I would reach in my wildest dreams through running.

But running isn’t for everyone.

Running may be everywhere you turn these days, but you don’t HAVE to be a runner. Yes, I just had a little trouble saying that because I feel like if I could become a runner, ANYBODY could become a runner.

As I’ve mentioned before, The Hubby is a runner, too. He started about four months before I did. He is fast. And he has run a marathon. And he had NEVER liked running before he joined a gym that January and got started on a treadmill.

His job as a physician lends itself well to sharing his path to physical fitness, especially with patients who want or need to make changes for health reasons. He lost a lot of weight and changed his lifestyle through running, but he makes it a point to tell his patients that they don’t have to be runners. They just have to do something.

If you’ve given running a try and did not enjoy one moment, it’s ok! Maybe a fitness class or DVD at home is your thing. Biking or walking or hiking might be the healthy choice for you.

I had the best time in a Zumba class at our YMCA last year. Of course, the dancing was super fun. I will never be a good dancer, but that was some of the most fun I’ve ever had exercising. But I REALLY loved the class because it was a wide variety of women – all ages, shapes, and ethnic backgrounds – enjoying themselves while taking care of their bodies.

That is also why I love belonging to our YMCA. It’s not a gym where everyone looks like they just jumped off the pages of a fitness magazine. You will find every kind of person working out there and I am inspired by each one. Walking on the treadmill, climbing away on the stair stepper, rocking out in the spin class,  lifting weights, playing basketball. Our YMCA is the perfect picture of people finding their own way to stay healthy and just doing it.

Don’t get hung up on the running thing because it seems like everyone is doing it. If you ask me if you should try running, I’ll probably say yes. But if you don’t like it, I will also be the first to tell you to move on to something you love!

You don’t HAVE to be a runner, but please find something you love to get yourself moving and healthy!

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If you are wanting to start exercising or need some fresh ideas or motivation for health + fitness, I would love to talk with you! I am a Beachbody coach and would so enjoy answering any questions you might have and walking alongside you in your health journey! Email me at homewiththeboys at gmail dot com and we’ll get started! There’s even a holiday challenge you could start with us this Monday!