




07
It is the little things you do every day, like taking the stairs rather than the elevator at work, hoisting up your toddler and doing 10 squats, walking lunges while you talk on the phone. I know, it seems kind of hokey, but seriously, every little effort, done consistently, will bring results. Think about the caterpillar, which undergoes lots of little changes before finally turning into a beautiful butterfly.
I think the reason a lot of us have a hard time tackling a big goal, like losing a large amount of weight, or training for an intense event, such as a 10K, is that the end result looks like Mt Everest. How ever do you scale that thing? But broken down into manageable chunks, the process is much less daunting – down right achievable! (Pssst …I attack fitness this way a lot. It really does work.)
I know, you’ve heard this or read it in self-help books a gazillion times. So have I, but having tackled several big goals by breaking down the tasks into little, bite-size morsels, I was able to achieve them. It wasn’t so bad, honest (or I wouldn’t be suggesting it here.)
Try this…
When you’re faced with 4 cardio workouts and 2 strength training sessions in one week, break them down like this: 8-10 “mini” cardio sessions of 10-15 minutes each. Spread across 7 days, that doesn’t seem so bad. Likewise with strength training: 8-12 exercises per session can be broken down into 2-3 exercises, again, spread across 7 days per week. This approach is FAR better in the long run than doing 4 cardio sessions and 2 ST sessions, as planned, only once per month. Better to break it down into manageable chunks and get credit consistently, than to get credit only occasionally.
Plus, “occasional” effort isn’t really effort at all – it just a random act of activity.
20
Some walk for the basic enjoyment of being outdoors, to unwind after a busy day, or as a way to catch up with a friend and combine the social time with a bit of exercise. Some walk to lose weight, to build endurance for charity races, or as a base-building exercise that segues into jogging, or even running.
Whatever the reason, you must begin somewhere, and as the old saying goes, a journey of a thousand steps begins with the first step.
Step 1: Pick the right shoes. Don’t skimp here! Every foot is different, every gait is different, every stride length…you get the picture. Take the shoes you regularly exercise in (or walk in) to a reputable running store and ask them to analyze the wear pattern, analyze your gait and recommend a shoe that suits you. Expect to pay $80 and up. It is worth it. And remember to replace your shoes about every 300-500 miles.

Step 2: Decide up front what you hope to achieve from your walking/jogging/running program. Do you want to begin a regular walking program for general health? Do you hope to rekindle your love for running? Or are you using the activity as a weight loss tool? Knowing what you want to reap from your hard work will help you stay motivated.
Step 3: Create a plan. However you decide to use walking/jogging/running, start with a goal in mind, then develop a plan from there. Start slow if you are returning to jogging or running from a long hiatus or starting from scratch. Build slowly using the 2-5% rule: each week, increase your distance by 2-5%. After initial base-building (8-12 weeks), begin to increase intensity (speed, hills, etc.) by 2-5% per week.
A simple formula for progression: Walk, jog, run
If you walk, start with walking. Add 1-2 min jogs, then recover with 1-2 mins of walking. Keep increasing the time spent jogging, decreasing time spent walking, until you can jog a specific distance. When that becomes comfortable, either increase the distance, or increase the speed. Refer to 2-5% rule.
Remember, runners aren’t made overnight. It may take many months before you feel comfortable jogging or running, but the key to success is to maintain consistent effort, and soon you’ll be able to traverse any landscape on foot, and improve your health too.
* Note: Blue Sky Gym and the author disclaim any liability for any injury, physical or emotional, suffered during or as a result of exercise or activities recommended. As always, you should use common sense and consult your health professional before beginning any exercise routine or program.