A little change of pace is always welcome here.
If I’m free, it’s because I’m always running.
~ Jimi Hendrix
Ready to talk a little moving IPOM style?
When it comes to exercise, the preferred approach (in this girl’s humble corner of the world) is just this:
Moderately everyday instead of obsessively now and then
With all the pressure we face in life to be constantly awesome (mostly put on our own selves by our own selves) – it can be easy for some of us to fall into traps.
Traps of thinking if we aren’t 100% clean eating, we fail, or traps of thinking if we aren’t the best at something we shouldn’t do it.
Obsessing over perfection is just silly, and it’s always better to do something good than to not.
Since physical results are always cumulative (resulting from regular habits), I can’t stress enough how key adopting this philosophy has been for me personally in as many areas of my life as possible (and trust me it does not come naturally).
Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.
~ Nelson Mandela
This is not me (But it could be). Well, sort of.
With all the wonderful fitness choices available out there, I settled long ago on my one true fitness love.
Yes, it’s running!
And no, I am not hardcore like the crazy guys pictured here (really, not at all).
I don’t race (not to say I am against it). I don’t run with headphones, or even with a clock or a watch. It’s just me, my thoughts, the road ahead, and whatever time I have to get out there. So I try to make the most of it. The important thing is to do it as often as I can.
But enough about me.
All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.
~ James Thurber
You could just stumble upon this...
Regardless of the time you have, or the day you’ve had, it’s really just about starting.
If you regularly have a tough time just getting out, try my girlfriends brilliant ‘5 minute rule’: tell yourself you’ll do it for just 5 minutes – once you are out there all warmed up and breathing that fresh air – see where you go, it’s never back home 🙂
So if you are a seasoned runner, someone who’s never run, or someone who’s even just thinking about it, here is the less and more of running IPOM style – I’d love to see what you have to add to this!
The Less:
Less Time: Despite what anyone says (“I don’t have time!”)….you absolutely can get a good cardio workout in just 20 minutes. Seriously folks! 20 minutes! Where else do you get that kind of a return on your time? Factor in 3 minutes to change, 20 seconds to tie your shoes, and you are in business as soon as you cross your doorstep.
Less Money: A pair of decent running shoes costs about $60 and up. Add a pair of shorts, a sports bra (for us ladies), and an old rock t-shirt (I don’t run in one but I have always wanted to) and out the door you go! No membership fees, no classes. No driving, no gas. Less cost for more benefit. Less is oh so much more here.
Less Constraints: Go anytime. Anywhere. Go when you are traveling (a fabulous way to see a foreign city). You choose. No late starts, no classmates. No worries. Less dependence. Less pressure. Just lace up and go! It’s free to try, and best of all, if you like it, it’s free to keep going too!
Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.
~ Og Mandino
The More:
More Cardio: Moving at your own pace means you set the tone. Climbing a hill while running is a real achievement, so work into it. Power walker? You are half way there already. It’s all good, so go slow, and don’t stop – just find your pace (even if you do feel like a turtle at first) and settle in.
More Meditation: Every runner’s got their reasons why they are hooked. Mine is in the meditation. Every step in the cold air is a sun salutation. Every thought processed, every step forward, I can work it all out. The ‘zone’ is the best zen feeling I’ve ever found, and it’s one that lasts throughout the rest of the day, and seeps into all areas of life. Namaste!
More Leanness: All good cardio promotes lean muscle development and the cardio burns lots of fuel.
Fresh air in your cells means more oxygen flowing so they can do more dirty work. Strong muscles means better efficiency.
More Strength: More strength means more power and more power means, well, more power to do the things you really love!
More Freedom: You can go wherever you feel moved. Wherever, whenever. Like walking (also a fave), all you need is you, a few minutes, and a will to go. Let your feet do the rest! No special gear, no vehicle. No company necessary (unless you want it).
More Scenery: See the world on foot! Anywhere you go, the world awaits.
More Confidence: This is the real deal. When you set your mind to running, there is no feeling like the finish. Knowing that you can, and you will, is (IMO) just about the best feeling in the world. It’s a gift you can give yourself every single day!
More fresh Air. More time just for you.
Gear is important, but not THAT important. I recently cleared out my ‘gear box’ and got rid of about 80% of what I had in there (part of my spring clean). But there are one or two very important essentials, starting with a good supportive sports bra (unless you are a dude in which case you are all good).
The greatest step is out the door
~ German Proverb
A good athletic top or two is nice. You want something light, that you can really sweat in.
Cotton is okay, but there is some great technical stuff out there, and really, one is all you need.
It’s worth it, no matter what sport you do in it.
Of course, if you want to be (just a little) bad-ass, wear a cool rock t-shirt. I’ve always wanted to do that 😉
There is no one giant step that does it. It’s a lot of little steps.
~ Peter A. Cohen
Then there are the shoes. Yes – the shoes! There are lots of different philosophies on shoes. I am not an expert, so make sure to buy comfy ones from a decent brand.
There are even folks doing this completely barefoot these days..
What do you prefer?
Call me simple, but running is the reason I don’t get on skis (never mind I am not a fan of the cold snow)…give me a snowy trail, a good fleece jacket, and an hour and I am happy as a clam!
There are folks who have trouble running, whether it is hard on the knees or just not your thing. Thankfully, there is no end to the ways we can care for our bodies.
It just matters that we do.
- Are you a runner?
- Got any tips you’d like to share?
- What is your favorite way to stay fit?
Whatever gets you there..
Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.
~ William James
I’d love to hear your thoughts on fitness and how you get outdoors. The best things in life really are free, and I can’t think of anything better than fresh, cool air. (Just a little) everyday is all takes!
Let us know your thoughts friends, and as always, much gratitude and thanks for reading!
I hope you all are having a fabulous day – our next post – a fabulous potato salad!
Yours in Less,
I am honored today (back to a new recipe tomorrow!) to send you over to Somer’s blog to read her story and to see how easily a simple concept can bring beautiful people together from all over this big, beautiful world. 
in pursuit of more 
