For many of us, the thought of getting healthy and active is a daunting prospect – especially so if you suffer from something like arthritis where it can be painful to move. Julie Creffield was once told she was Too Fat To Run but refused to listen. Now she’s set up a website of the same name, which helps people of all shapes and sizes to get out there and get healthy. Julie gives us her Top Six Tips for getting active.
1. Understand why you want to do it
If you know why something is important to you you’re more likely to do it. So, for example, if you’re doing a run to raise money for a charity, it’s the charity that’s getting you round, not your desire to run. So it’s always keeping that key goal at the front of your mind. For me, after I’d had my daughter I knew I wanted to be there for her for as long as possible. I wanted to set an example that showed her sport was for everyone, not just men or slim people. It’s something that will add to your life.
2. Get yourself prepared
Know what you’re going to need for your sport. Trainers, the support of your partner or knowing where you’re going to run. It’s doing that little bit of prep and research that will make things that much easier for you to go out and do it.
3. Just do it
Sounds obvious but don’t delay it, decide you’re going to do it and stick to that decision. There are always a million excuses for not going on a run but once you’ve done it you’re going to be thankful you did. Keep that in mind.
4. Warm up
When you’ve been inactive for a while your body will need to find certain new muscles that it hasn’t used properly in a while. So warm up properly. Listen to your body. If something hurts it’s hurting for a reason. While that’s not always an excuse to stop, pain is the body’s way of trying to tell you something.
5. Have fun
A lot of people say running isn’t fun but the things around it can be. Finding somewhere beautiful to run; listening to a funny podcast or an audiobook or your favourite band; running somewhere and meeting your friends for a drink afterwards. There are always ways of making running enjoyable. I like to incentivise myself by running to meet a friend for a catch up. I know the act of getting there might be a struggle but I’ll have a great time at the end of it. It’s like a carrot in front of you to keep aiming towards.
6. Set a goal
Always keep in mind what you’re trying to achieve. Keep that in mind whenever you go out and you’ll be fine. That one thing will keep you going. Even when it hurts you’ll remind yourself why you’re doing it and it will spur you on. So many people come to me and say they are not sure what their goal should be. I tell them it doesn’t need to be a distance run or a time set. Sometimes it can simply be making the decision to get out of the house for a run at least three times a week. Start small when you’re beginning and build up to more as you grow in confidence.
