Getting Out The Door

WELLNESS | by VALERIE GRIFFITH

I LOVE TO RUN. BUT IT’S STILL HARD TO GET OUT THE DOOR.

A few simple strategies can help keep your running on track: Make it routine. Determine a time you can run each day and stick to it. Ideally, exercise early. Set goals. A mile, a 5K event, a breast-cancer fundraiser, a marathon. Commit to a partner. Celebrate your success by recording daily mileage.

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On a bad day I’ll procrastinate for so long that I never manage to cross that psychological ― and literal ― threshold. So for times when “Just do it” is just not enough, I’ve created this cheat sheet to help me get out the door. I mean, why wouldn’t you run?

• Nothing should come before your health.
• Endorphins. The happy hormones. Produced by high-octane cardio workouts, an endorphin surge delivers a tremendous sense of well-being.
• Running burns calories. A lot of calories.
• The glow. To run is to sweat, which in turn detoxes and revitalizes the skin.
• The body trifecta: Running strengthens the heart, increases bone density and boosts your immune system.
• Stress and running are mutually exclusive.
• Running is a first line defense against depression.
• Energy, energy, energy.
• Every run has at least one unexpected moment of beauty.
• Gratitude. To run is to be blessed ― by a perfect day, a sunset, or a downpour.
• You’ll feel fantastic when you’re done.