It’s Friday, so I am linking up with Courtney at Eat, Pray, Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their weekly linkup. Each week they pick a theme and bloggers join in and link up. This year instead of specific themes, they are letting us be creative with broad themes for each week of the month. It is a “Fitness” Friday so I am going with “5 Ways to Spring Into Fitness.”
Before I get to that… a bit of shameless promotion! I am on Diz Runs’ podcast!
How come @EAgran has guaranteed entry to @nycmarathon for life? She’ll tell you. https://t.co/NuripTs4oJ #podcast pic.twitter.com/MFkMBPj7xn
— Denny Krahe (@DizRuns) March 23, 2016
The calendar says that it’s spring. The weather forecast here says something a bit different but I am going with it anyway. Have you been hibernating this winter? Here are my five tips for springing into fitness:
1. Spring clean your diet. I’m not a nutritionist and my diet can use a good spring cleaning, too. Easter is early this year so get your sugar fill this weekend and start April candy free. That’s my goal! Clean out the cupboards and load up on local fruits and veggies when the farmer’s markets open. Don’t expect to be perfect – just do your best. Here are some great tips from Runner’s World to get you started.
2. Start slow and finish strong. If you have been taking it easy or hibernating, make sure to start out slow and set some goals. Try for a few classes a week or start with walking and then some easy running. Don’t build up too fast and you will have a better chance of staying healthy and injury free all spring and summer.
3. Find a buddy. It is always easier to commit to a fitness and health regimen if you find a friend, or friends, to join you. A recent University of Pennsylvania study shows that online buddies are good for motivation to exercise more, too!
4. Sign up for a new fitness class or series. Spring brings out the best in local fitness studios here in Chicago! Check out a collaboration between Chicago-based DJ, Lani Love and CorePower Yoga which brings exclusive playlists to CorePower Yoga studios across Chicago (more than 25 locations) for the next three months. To kick off the partnership, they are hosting a FREE yoga class at the Bucktown studio on Wednesday 3/30. Another cool, new class for runners is a weekend morning class called Total Body Excursion Runs by Crosstown Fitness. Attendees run around the city along with trainer and endurance athlete Tori Karsten. After the run, the class finishes with an outdoor workout. CTF’s “Excursion Runs” will be held on rotating Saturdays and Sundays at 8 a.m. Check the website for locations. I bet there are some great options springing up near you, too! See what you can find and try something new.
5. Train for a race or fitness challenge. I kept fit this winter by training for the LA Marathon and NYC Half. Nothing gets you out of bed like the specter of the starting line looming ahead. Not up for a race? Sign up for another fitness challenge or set a goal with a Fitbit or Diet Bet. Whatever it is, sign up and get started! If you do want to run, or walk, you can join me in the Chicago Esprit de She 5K/10K in July (or any Esprit de She race) and get $5 off with code GEDS16AMB000 or join me in San Francisco in July for the Marathon, Half or 5K and get $10 off with code TSFM2016ERICA (or $5 off 5K with code TSFM2016ERICA5K).
Bonus: Do good while you train. Train for a cause! Sick of lotteries in big marathons? (I am looking at you Chicago and NYC!) Join a charity team. The money you raise supports a great cause plus you get great perks, too! (A win-win!) The American Heart Association is accepting team members for their Chicago Marathon team. If you join by April 12th, the fundraising minimum is only $1000 and after April 12th it is $1500. Click HERE to learn more . Those who register get guaranteed race entry, a free year-long membership to CARA with marathon training (or online marathon training) with Coach Brendan and more!
What will you do to spring into fitness?
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!