Why I'm Running...

As some of you may know, I have been doing Steph Hendel's Summer Challenge. In case you don't already know what that is, it is a 6 week challenge where personal trainer and health expert Steph Hendel of RawSistahs and FitBodyHealthyGlow provides motivation, workouts, schedules and recipes to help us (especially women, but some men too) get healthy and fit and love our body. 

Its a great program and I encourage every one to click the link above and sign up for the challenge. We are only on week 2 so there is plenty of time to jump in. One of the things she has asked us to do is set a Challenge Goal. I have two:

1. Run a 5K (Preferably Color Run)

2. Do a [pretty] handstand and stay up for at least 10 seconds. 

The second one seemed like a no brainer to me. I used to be in gymnastics and I wanted to gain a little bit of my old skills back. 

The first one took a little more self convincing. To be honest, I hated running. However, I have been really interested in running a Color Run and I know that it is a manageable goal, and something that will require me to push myself out of my comfort zone. 

To me, this challenge... exercising... eating healthy, its not about getting skinny, its about getting strong and fit. Because when I get strong and fit, I will be more confident, no matter what my size. 

Photo Credit: Corey Martin Photography

Yesterday in church, I looked across the aisle and saw this little girl doodling/writing in her notebook. It said: If GYMNASTICs was easy, it would be called football. 

While this is an amusing sentiment, it got me thinking about my time in gymnastics. I got to thinking about why I quit. I couldn't remember specifically when I quit but, I quit because it got too hard. 

My whole life, every sport I've tried, I've quit because it got too hard, it was too much work. 

But you know what? 

Life is hard. 

That's not stopping me anymore. I'm not going to quit things because they get too hard. I'm going to suck it up, put on my big girl pants and keep going. 

And I am going to be better and stronger for it. 

Physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

That is why this Summer Challenge is more than just a diet and exercise routine or fad for me. That is why it is so important to me. 

That is why I am running. 

Why are you running (or not running)? 

Stay Beautiful,

Kailey