Monday, February 2, 2009

Something New

Sometimes moments can be so serendipitous. Like last month for example. I was getting my hair done, and at some point in the conversation I was asked if I run. I kind of laughed as I said no, but that it was something that I had been contemplating doing. Actually I had been contemplating it since I turned 40, almost 2 years ago. The problem is that I can be pretty unmotivated when it comes to exercise. I am a pro at putting it off. This doesn't mean that I'm a couch potato. I love doing yoga in the mornings and hiking in the hills or going for walks. But when it comes to getting my heart rate up with serious exercise, I just haven't been able to find the motivation.

Well the hairstylist started telling me about a book she was reading called Chi Running. She said that it is a revolutionary approach to effortless, injury-free running, based on principals from Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates. A brand-new way to run. From that moment on I was captivated. I couldn't get the book out of my head, and immediately bought myself a copy. For the first time in years, I suddenly felt excited and motivated to run. I did a little more research and discovered that that there is a whole Chi Running website, with loads of additional information, including a DVD (and information on Chi Walking, which I will blog about at a later date, for those of you not so motivated to run).

The DVD is awesome, and takes the information from a great concept, to something very visual. I'm a visual learner, so reading something in a book doesn't always help me totally grasp it the way a DVD does. It's an awesome DVD, and has aided me immensely as I try to re-learn running in a brand new way. It seems that my excitement has rubbed off onto my husband too, because the two of us started Chi Running this past weekend, and I wake up every morning excited to go out again. How cool is that?!

So although I tend to primarily talk about food, I love sharing info on cool products that help promote a healthy lifestyle. I also thought that if Chi Running was something that I was excited about, and actually wake up excited to do everyday, then it's definitely share-worthy information. I plan to continue this new-style of running everyday, and will share my progress here on the blog. Man, if I can do this anyone can.

Really, go check out Chi Running. And, if anyone is interested in getting in shape along with me, please do! I've only begun running this past week. Just imagine, I might actually be in shape by my 42nd birthday at the end of April. Wow, how cool would that be?

6 comments:

MeloMeals said...

How cool!

...barbara... said...

awesome...

i have just started running and i think this will be a nice motivator...

thanks for sharing...

i will check it out too :)

jAe said...

me too, i am a reluctant exerciser! i sometimes say it has something to do with my blood type (A), but i'm really just looking for excuses.
i am noticing a pattern in myself though in the past few weeks where every other day i think to myself "i could make time to exercise today". it doesn't actually happen every time i think about it, but i'm into starting slowly.

the three kinds of exercise i am most willing to do:
1. walking at a good clip for long distances (as long as there is good shopping to be done at one or both ends of the walk).
2. jumping for 20 minutes on a personal trampoline i picked up at a big box store. i put on upbeat dance music and flail about.
3. The Bollywood Dance Workout. my boyf downloaded it for me, and though i do still maintain for the most part that workout videos (especially ones that include tricky dance steps) take a bit of a toll on my self-esteem, i'm kinda into this one. (i like that the host isn't stick thin and has a bit of a soft belly.)

good luck with your running - i think april is a totally doable goal for noticeably improved fitness!

julie hasson said...

Hey Melody. Thanks!
Hi Barbara. Thanks. Good luck with your running.
Hi jAe. You totally cracked me up with your comment. I too love to have shopping at the other end of my run;-) I'll have to check out the Bollywood Dance video. Sounds like fun!

eringee said...

Julie, first let me say I just LOVE your blog and Everyday Dish to pieces. Second, the day I read this entry I went out and bought a copy of Chi Running (I've been running fairly regularly for about a year, but want to get into racing and running longer distances and have felt pretty unmotivated on that front). I read the first five chapters that night. The last few mornings I have been out running using some of the new techniques I've learned from the book and the difference is INCREDIBLE. It is an amazing book, and I can't thank you enough for posting about it!

The Voracious Vegan said...

Great suggestion, thank you! I love mountain biking and hiking, but running is something that I have to force myself to do. I will definitely check out chi running.