***First in a series by Wellness Chair, Erin-Kate Aleksak******
OK…So
for the first post for the Wellness portion of the blog I thought the best
topic to touch on was motivation. This
is why so many of us want to achieve a goal, but never actually get started on
the path towards it. Often all we need
is a reason to begin…
You
all know that I am a runner at heart. It
sounds weird, but I love feeling like I can’t possibly take another step, and
then realizing that another mile has passed by.
I love trying to find out just how far or how hard I can push
myself. Most people assume that this
goes hand in hand with loving to get up and out to start my workout. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!! Deep down I am really a couch potato at
heart; especially in the winter. After
freezing at the bus stop and walking the dogs all I want is to curl up on the couch
with a second cup of coffee. Some days I
do just that. The best way to avoid the
comfy couch trap…FRIENDS!
No
kidding! Last year training for a 100
mile running race, through the winter, often at weird times like 10 at night or
4 in the morning, and in a lot of snow is not an idea that makes you want to
jump off the couch and get out there. It
only happened because I already had plans to meet someone else. How could I sleep in when my friend was
standing outside in the freezing cold waiting for me? Being accountable to someone else is the best
way to make sure you get in some exercise.
We have all let ourselves down, and we will all continue to do so. None of us, however, want to disappoint our
friends. We will do anything to keep our
word to them and to support them in pursuing their goals.
My
advice for beginning or continuing an exercise regimen this winter…commit to
your best friend’s health. Make your new
years resolution to get your neighbor healthier. Promise to make sure your bus stop buddy goes
to the gym three days a week. Military
wives are always too good at taking care of everyone else first, so this year go ahead, take care of someone else.
Keeping a friend company on their path to a
healthier life just might be the motivation you need to hop on that path
yourself.
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