Recognize that getting healthy doesn’t have to be complicated, as everyone has the ability to feel better than they currently do.
Understand that being healthier leads to greater happiness and a more fulfilling life, as feeling better allows you to live more fully.
Make a daily effort to step outside your comfort zone, even slightly, as this practice will gradually expand your comfort zone and lead to personal improvement.
Understand that enduring physical and mental discomfort, such as during long runs, can lead to a ‘better version’ of yourself and a profound sense of contentment.
Begin your movement journey immediately, even if it’s just a walk, without waiting for special running shoes or equipment.
Give running a try regardless of your current fitness level, perceived ability, weight, or fear of judgment, as these concerns don’t matter once you’re out running.
Stick with new exercise routines, especially running, even if you initially dislike them or experience minor discomfort, as it’s often ‘at its worst at its earliest’.
Start with a run/walk strategy (e.g., run for a minute, walk for 30 seconds) and gradually increase running intervals as your fitness improves.
Choose to run outdoors rather than on a treadmill, as it provides a heightened sense of freedom and connection to what our bodies are ‘meant to do’.
Step away from your desk for a 15-minute walk or a quick run to activate your brain’s default mode network, fostering creativity and problem-solving.
Approach running with a sense of joy and self-credit, rather than focusing on specific paces or distances, especially when starting out.
Make running a consistent part of your routine, even if it’s just a 10-minute run for fresh air, as its simplicity allows for flexibility regardless of schedule or location.
Begin your running journey at a Parkrun event, as it offers an incredibly welcoming and inclusive environment where you won’t feel out of place, regardless of your shape or size.
Avoid becoming overly obsessed with running technology and gear, as this can detract from the simple joy and intrinsic motivation of the activity itself.
Practice running ‘on feel’ and listen to your body rather than constantly tracking metrics, which can enhance the pleasure and intrinsic motivation of your run.
Focus on the internal rewards and enjoyment of an activity rather than external validation or tracking, such as on social platforms like Strava.
Acknowledge that as you get older, you may need to consciously choose between adjusting your diet, increasing exercise, or accepting weight gain.
Use significant life changes, such as becoming a parent, as a catalyst to re-evaluate and improve your health habits.
Eliminate unhealthy habits like smoking, as this foundational change can pave the way for further health improvements.
Believe in your body’s inherent ability to adapt to running and overcome minor niggles, drawing on the idea that humans were ‘born to run’.
Don’t be discouraged if your running form isn’t ’elegant’ like elite athletes; even successful runners can have unconventional gaits.
Consider taking a whole food greens powder like Athletic Greens each morning as an ‘insurance policy’ to help meet your nutritional needs, especially when busy.
Visit athleticgreens.com/livemore to receive a free travel pack box of Athletic Greens (worth £70) with your first order.
Listen to conversations with diverse experts to gain simple, immediately actionable tips that can transform how you feel.
Seek out books and stories about how various individuals, including athletes and public figures, got into running and what it means to them for inspiration.