For me, fitness was always a way of life – I grew up running around in my backyard, playing every sport under the sun (some more successfully than others!) and lettering in both field hockey and lacrosse in high school.
And then I went to college. Has anyone been to college?? If so, you know that it simply isn’t conducive to fitness. Or healthy living in general.
It was a fun four years! I met some of my best friends, participated in all kinds of on-campus activities and graduated with honors. But it was time to grow up, and face the real world – at least somewhat…
My job out of college was pretty sweet. I worked from home, and was able to set my own hours. Going from college, filled with homework and activities and hanging out with people, to working from my little apartment was a big change! Suddenly I had an abundance of free time.
I also realized something that I didn’t have an abundance of – energy. Possibly because my fitness levels were MINIMAL at best. So I decided to take action. I didn’t belong to a fancy gym, I just had a small room in our apartment complex and a set of 8 lb dumbbells.
And I had my tennis shoes. So what did I do? I laced ‘em up and hit the beautiful Nashville roads! I ran and ran and ran, until I had a little mental clarity on what to do with the rest of my life. And while I was gaining that mental clarity and purpose, I was also gaining fitness.
Pretty soon, I realized that I could achieve that little goal that had lived in the back of my mind for years. I was never a runner – in fact, I hated when we had to run for field hockey or lacrosse in high school! But I always secretly dreamed of running a half-marathon.
On April 28, 2012, I achieved that goal when I crossed the finish line of the Nashville Country Music Half-Marathon.
And now? Now I’m still a runner. But I’m also a weight-lifter. And a group-fitness-class-lover. And a walker. I’m a fitness jack of all trades, and I love it. After all, variety is the spice of life! Come join me on my journey at http://chocolateandwildair.com
