It was a long, long winter, wasn’t it? Snowflake after snowflake I made excuses not to get outside and run. Now that summer is FINALLY here, NO MORE EXCUSES! I am making a STRONG commitment to focusing on my everyday health and fitness – and I want you to join me! Summer means more daylight, warmer temps, and more running!
These six simple ways to start running again are easy to follow. I hope you find them helpful.
1| Schedule Running on Your Calendar. It’s easy NOT to do something if you don’t schedule it. You wake up a few minutes late, decide you’ll run after work. But, after work comes and so does the invite for dinner with your neighbor. Schedule it.
2| Lace up your shoes. This is the starting point for jump starting your new routine. Accept that you will not be able to run as far – or as fast – as you did before your hiatus.
3| Embrace the aches and pains. Your legs are going to ache. Your arms will probably hurt. Be remember how wonderful that runner’s high is. Don’t you miss that? Yeah, me too.
4| Consider a running buddy. If accountability is an issue, solicit a friend to run with you. Knowing that someone is counting on you to show up will push you to continue.
5| Register for a race. Look for a 5K in your community and sign up for it today! There are many themed 5Ks that push the focus on fun, fundraising 5K’s, and fun 5K’s.
6| Stock up on summer essentials. Head to your local Walgreens and grab a few summer running essentials. Grab items like Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 Sunscreen to protect your skin from the summer sun; Lubriderm Unscented Lotion to rehydrate your skin following a post-run shower, and Neosporin Original Ointment to help any scrapes heal a little more quickly.
Be sure to join the free Balance Rewards for healthy choices program. Not long ago, Walgreens launched Balance Rewards for healthy choices in an attempt to help its 80+ million loyalty cardholders modify behavioral risk factors associated with the most urgent public health issues. You can earn points for your healthy activities, like tracking your steps per day. On a future visit to Walgreens, you can redeem your reward points toward other Healthy Essentials products to continue stay active and healthy this summer.
One thing I like to do after a long run is take care of my feet. Feet take a beating during short runs, long runs, and sprints. It’s important to give them a little bit of pampering with and easy DIY lime coconut oil salt scrub.
Lime Coconut Oil Salt Scrub
Gather your supplies:
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup Kosher salt
zest of 1 lime
5-10 drops of lime essential oil
Melt the coconut oil in the microwave on high, stirring every 10 seconds.
To the bowl with the melted coconut oil, add the Kosher salt, lime zest, and lime essential oil. Stir will. It will still have a grainy-salty look to it.
Pour scrub into a cute squatty mason jar. The lime salt scrub is so easy to use. Simply take a spoonful and rub it in your feet as if you were washing them. The natural exfoliation of the Kosher salt will remove the dead skin while the coconut oil moisturizes your feet. Rinse well with warm water and enjoy your oh-so-smooth skin. {If using in the bath tub, take care to clean the tub well to avoid slipping and falling.}
Healthy habits are created by being consistent. If you’re consistent with your running, it’s easier to form healthy habits. Before you know it, these healthy habits will be a part of your daily life.
Be sure to check out more ways to live a healthy and active life at Reward Healthy Choices. I’d love to hear about your health and fitness lifestyle!
My family has become more active lately and these are great tips to keep us motivated. I love the salt scrub as well. #client
I didn’t know I could add healthy things to get points added on my Walgreens rewards card. That’s pretty good motivation to get healthier this summer.