I have been a life long couch potato. I have never been sporty and as with everything else in my life, if I'm not good at it I don't like doing it. I don't like playing in team games due to both the fear of letting down my team mates, but also knowing that I wouldn't be best pleased if I thought they had let me down. I am fiercely competitive, and there is a danger that partaking in sport will bring out a less attractive part of my character. As far as other fitness activities go, I would simply rather sit and drink tea and read a blog :o/ Swimming is too wet and cold, aerobics classes too cliquey, the gym too boring. Are you getting the picture ?
You might assume from this that I am permanently dieting. Not so. I was lucky to inherit the skinny gene from somewhere, and whilst I make every effort to eat a healthy, wholegrain diet and am virtually teetotal, nothing is off limits. And therein, I believe, lies a large part of my lack of exercise problem. I am vain enough that if I were overweight the benefit of exercise would outweigh my dislike for it.
I have been conscious for a number of years that exercise is the one missing ingredient in my healthy lifestyle. My diet is good, I don't have any toxins of the tobacco, alcohol, chemical variety, I take supplements to ensure I receive optimum nutrition, but I don't break into a sweat. I have thought about it often, but that's as far as it's gone. Until now.
I think there is a name for when a number of coincidences collide to give you the impetus you need to make a change. Well, whatever it is, it happened to me this week. Firstly my blogging friend Dawn over at The Moiderer has started running. You can read all about it on her blog, but it got me thinking, and left me feeling slightly ashamed of myself. Then my dear friend Amanda came over and showed me a running app she has on her Iphone (Amanda is doing a half marathon on Sunday so is a seasoned pro). Now I may not like exercise but I do like gadgetry. I don't have an Iphone but I do have an IPodTouch and so I decided to have a little look, where I found a 'Get Running' app which will coach you whilst you go from the couch to running 5K. I also figured that to get the blood pumping a bit may not be a bad thing on the baby making front, and I know it's important for the prevention of many diseases, including dementia. Last but not least, I think the best way to teach your children is by example, and I want my boy to be fit and healthy, and that includes enjoying exercise.
So, tomorrow my friends I shall start. I have childcare tomorrow afternoon and will do my first run, or rather run/walk x 8. I will do this three times a week, when childcare permits. The only question is, will I achieve my mission and get fit, or will I fall by the wayside ?
