In 2013, I was running all the time.
I was running for health and fitness, but I was also addicted to racing, and I was running away from a fracturing marriage, the pressures of very young children, and untreated trauma that I had been carrying like a backpack filled with stones for a long, long time.
As I shared last week, my purpose in life has revealed itself to me slowly, through the years. My father died of a massive coronary attack when he was 41 years old; I found exercise a year later, and have been teaching fitness since I was 19. But my path to "inspiring Breakfast TV personality" or "motivating daily fitness coach" has not been linear. I was also a high-functioning alcoholic, and used everything else - exercise, sugar, booze - to numb the aches wiithin.
The picture above is from the Niagara Women's Half Marathon, with one of my friends, Lisa (and, incidentally, a former group fitness student and now one of my FITFAM). I had set a goal, and I smashed it - running the half-marathon in 1:39 and winning my age category. Marathon legend Kathleen Switzer draped the medal around my neck. It was an amazing day. A month later a fell down a flight of stairs drunk; eight months later, I quit drinking and began this decade where I have researched and tested what makes a healthy, balanced life.
To be clear - fitness, balance, health - are not one and done. They are habits that deepen with practice. Exercise for me is a no-brainer: I do it for mental and physical health, and it is also my business. But, since my injury last year, I have to set goals around running again.
Some days I don't wanna do it.
Can anyone relate?
That's the way it is for many people around exercise; around emotional eating, around that extra COVID weight that they can't seem to shift.
My goals for running have shifted significantly over the last 11 years - age, injury, burgeoning arthritis in my left knee. But I still have goals. Now they are strength training 3-4 times a week so I am a stronger runner, cardio Zone training and pace for running. In fact, pace matters a lot for walking and running, as you will see from one of the artyicles.
My goals for eating a healthy, nutritious diet have also shifted. My Healthy Six used to be a "let's give up booze/sugar for six weeks" program that has evolved to a 12-month a year lifestyle that allows for treats and living, but focused on healthy, nutritious inspiration.
In essence - whether it is exercise, nutrition, sleep, meditation - you have to set goals and make them personal.
In an interview I did this week for Health and Fitness Association (they were interviewing me about National Health and Fitness Day) the journalist and i were speaking about why having a community - a gym, a group like my FITFAM, a walking or running group - matter for achieving your goals.
Accountability and compliance are the secret sauces for fitness - going to a great class like our Monday Morning Tabata at 6:45, where you know you are going to sweat with a group of great humans - keeps you accountable.
Did you know when you join my community you get unlimited live and recorded fitness classes, recipes, meal prep sessions, research, podcasts, and a community of wellness seekers that range in age from.....wait for it - 32 to 68!!! We have ALL LEVELS in our group, and at $25 per week it is the best deal in town.
We all need inspiration.
Walking Matters - But Pace Does, Too
Meal Prep Sunday: What I am making today! Broccoli / White Bean Soup!
FLOW: Yoga class for your soul. We do this LIVE Friday 6:45
I would love you to join my community It is full of magical people, just like you.
With health and love
Erin
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