Living With Purpose

Hi friends, before I talk about exercise today, I would just like to say thank you for reading my first post. More importantly, welcoming me back to blogging. It makes me happy you are just as happy as I am that I’m writing again!

Like I said before, it has been kind of difficult for me to find motivation to work out everyday with the intensity and drive I used to have back home. I think it’s because there is not a very large running community where I live. Sure, there is one in Fayetteville but that is at least a 30 minute drive for me. I can’t make that drive on a regular basis to run with them early in the morning. Anyway, we are nearing 2 years since moving here. Slowly, but surely, I have now found a routine that is working for me.

In the beginning, I just wanted to run. For the longest time it’s how I identified myself (Don’t worry, that’s changed now). I ran The Virginia Beach Shamrock Half Marathon in 2016 and it was the worst race I ever ran. The conditions were horrible. Rain, sleet, snow, you name it. Then after the freezing cold comes the humidity. I did the Army Ten Miler; it was hot and humid. You may have even heard they started to pull people off the course because of the conditions. It’s frustrating. My time wasn’t horrible, but I wasn’t enjoying it either. So, in the last few months, I have changed my approach.

I recently purchased a spin bike from a sales group in our community. It was an amazing deal! In El Paso, I LOVED attending spin classes. For me, it’s up there with my passion for running; the intensity is up to you. You get what you put into it.

It’s kind of gross, but I love to drip sweat while I’m on the bike. It makes me feel so accomplished. Anyway, I went to YouTube to find instructor led classes. I’m not someone who can just sit on the bike and ride. I need intervals and something that helps the time pass like people talking and good music.

I found a spin class from a gym called, Studio Sweat. It was a really good class! So, I did a little more research. I found that I can sign up for a membership and take their classes on my phone just like I’m right there. They have yoga, bootcamp (which I love just as much as their spin class), and a few other classes; A staff of great instructors who are all motivating in their own ways. I already feel so much stronger in my core and upper body. I also feel stronger when I go out for a run. Spin and Sculpt class is my favorite lately; intervals on the bike, HIIT training for my core on the mat, then back on the bike for hills. Good stuff.  By the way, Studio Sweat is not sponsoring this post. It’s something I love doing lately and I want to share it with you.

I will be continuing this approach since we have a couple more months of heat and humidity to deal with it. I will begin half marathon training in August. I’m feeling positive, excited and finding motivation with every week that passes.

Question of the week: How do you find motivation to stay active? Do you have any fall races you will start training for?