From the beginning... I don't like it

Beginning tip - If you don't like it, you won't do it. So, for example, if you don't like to run, it's a poor choice for your cardio. Find something else you like and will stick with.

I was talking to a lady in the park last week. I was stretching mid-run because my calf was a bit tweaked. I stopped at a bench and she looked up at me and smiled. I took the mp3 speaker out of my ear and smiled back with "hello".

Her: You're pretty in shape, huh?
Me: I try.
Her: I hate to run, that's why I don't exercise.
Me: Running isn't your only option, there's lots of fun choices. Have you tried (fill in _________ with litany of options given by Kate, met with head shaking by woman)?
Her: Don't really like to exercise.
Me: O.k.

I put my ear bud in and gear up to go. She waves at me to take it out again, I do.

Her: Any other ideas on how to lose weight?
Me: (Trying not to chuckle) Uh, no.

And I ran down the path. She didn't want exercise ideas, she wanted the magic pill everyone else does. I don't have it for her or anyone else. What I do have is simple advice: If you are willing to add movement to your life and easy reasonably, you will see improvements in weight and fitness.

You can not take that first step in fitness by doing something you hate. You will not stick with it, you will burn out fast, injure yourself or make excuses about 'not having any time' until you lose your breath and pass out.

This may sound basic, but if you don't like it, don't do it. When I started, the very idea of running made me want to puke. But I enjoyed walking, even if I couldn't get very far, very fast. So I walked. As I hit my peak walking speed I realized there was a next step that made sense for me, so I started running. Not everyone makes that jump, but it is possible to become more open to something you hate.

But when you are starting out, you have to choose something you like, so that every day you look froward to doing it.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Preview of the week: Tomorrow it's my CrossFit adventure on my date; Wednesday it's a friend's adventure in extreme boding shaping; Thursday is a recap of my work for the week so far; Friday is a look at my first week of swimming.