What I've Learned About Running (That I Should've Known)

1) People would rather see you model too-tight spandex running shorts than watch you surreptitiously wipe your nose on your sleeve because you forgot to bring tissue on your run.
2) Bugs adhere to sticky lip gloss.
3) You can not outrun dogs. Cross the street when you see one. Don't assume there is Invisible Fence. Or that the dog cares about Invisible Fence.
4) Not all sidewalks are even. If there is a tree planted close by, assume a part of the sidewalk has been raised by humongous roots. If you are clumsy, avoid the sidewalk and run on the tree lawn instead.
5) Not all cars stop to allow you to cross. Only the ones with nice people inside them. These people are likely to not be envious of your devotion to your health. Mean people hate anyone who unintentionally reminds them they are due for their checkup. And they haven't yet had their coffee.
6) If there is thunder rumbling in the distance, it will probably rain.
7) If the sky blackens quickly, it will probably rain.
8) If the forecast calls for rain, it will probably be sunny.
9) On windy days, your hat will fly off your head and you will spend an inordinate amount of time chasing after it.
10) People will gawk at you as they ride by in their cars. You may think this is because you look sexy in your workout clothes. It will really be because you look like you might pass out any second.

Time to Make Time

One of the excuses I hear the most for not exercising is, "I don't have time." Trust me, I can relate. But here's something to consider. If you don't properly prioritize your well-being, you could end up sitting in a hospital bed wired to machines with all the time in the world. Or you could end up dead.

I'm not trying to scare you, I'm simply being realistic. Here are some basic facts from the CDC: in 2008, about 1 in 4 American deaths were caused by heart disease. Every year almost 785,000 Americans have a heart attack. More than half of those people have a second attack. Inactivity has been proven to be the most significant reason for a heart attack, followed by obesity and high blood pressure. See all the statistics here: http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

Here's another scary statistic, also from the CDC: 18.8 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5% of the cases. There is no known way to prevent it. Type 2 diabetes accounts for the remainder, and one of the main causes has been established to be, again, obesity and inactivity. Many people discover when they lose a significant amount of weight and make healthier food choices, weight, they no longer have this type of diabetes.

So tell me again, do you think you can find time to exercise? I think you can.

Start walking more, even if you have to do it on your lunch break. Lift weights in front of the TV instead of chowing down on snacks. Drink water or unsweetened tea instead of soda (even diet soda will make you want to consume more food). Lighten your mochas. Keep an apple at your desk for when you crave something sweet. Jog in place while you talk on the phone. There is time, you just have to find it. Make your health a priority. Right now. Today. Turn off your computer and start moving.