Distance? Need? Ability? What makes a person a runner?
I started running reluctantly. I’m a doctor, and everyday I tell people to exercise. After giving people this advice for a month or two, and completely neglecting to engage in any physical activity myself, I started to feel guilty and hypocritical. I made the decision to start running. Both before and after I starting running, people would ask me if I’m a runner. I would smile uncertainly and ponder how to respond. Were they asking because of my body type? Was there something they recognized in my energy that identified me as a runner? Did my two mile runs make me a runner? To me, this barely counted for anything, although I knew that I felt better about myself and my life when I ran.
Do you even lift, Ladybro? How lifting weights taught me to love my body
I started lifting three months ago, when I hit a wall with my workout routine and was just generally feeling shitty about myself. In that time I’ve gotten a lot stronger but along the way something surprising happened: my relationship with my body totally changed even though my appearance stayed pretty much the same.
Throw this party: The at-home birthday 5K
This year I turned 31, and I wanted to do something special. So I planned to host a 5K run for my birthday at my house. I wanted to run 3.1 miles with my friends and family. Here’s how I did it…
Plus size workout clothes that are plus cool
I’d love some help finding plus size exercise clothes that aren’t the same old Boring Black Basics.
I go to the gym and I’m in a roller derby league, and I’d prefer to have something a bit more fun to wear! My shoes and skates are colourful, my headband has a funky pattern, and my yoga mat is adorable… but the only clothing options I’ve found in my size seem to be really bland. Thanks!
Quit “should-ing” all over yourself and get all the endorphins with DANCE WALK
As I was reading through all the brilliant suggestions for offbeat hobbies, I found myself should-ing all over the place. Every time someone mentioned running, my brain said, “Yes, hrm, I really should do that.” Then I noticed every time someone mentioned dancing, I felt longing. When I finally realized what I was doing, I said, “Hey, I could dance.” I stopped, searched Meet-Up for dancing, and found THE MOST AMAZING GROUP EVER.
How the Fuck-Off Fairy helped me fight fat-shaming
The Fuck-Off Fairy is a special kind of fairy. She shows up on the night of your 30th birthday, while you are sleeping, and waves a magic wand over you. The Fuck-Off Fairy teaches you to stand up for yourself and believe in your value. She gets that sometimes “fuck off” needs to be said politely and with a smile, but while delivering the message clearly. The Fuck-Off Fairy was sitting on my shoulder during my conversation with a particular personal trainer.
Moving meditation: Why walking commutes are awesome
I grew up in the Midwest, and my family was typical: we drove everywhere. I accepted that as just the way things were until I went to college. I walked a lot as an undergraduate student, and felt the lifestyle change deeply. When I moved to upstate New York for a new job a year ago, my apartment search revolved around finding a place that would let me walk to work. And honestly, my morning and evening commute has become one of the best parts of my day.
So you want to give running a try
No one would have ever called me an athlete. The only times I exercised was when I had to in gym class. But I always admired runners because they seemed so dedicated and driven. I tried giving running a shot half-a-dozen times, and quit a half-a-dozen times. Finally I decided to buckle down and do this. Here’s some things I discovered along my journey…