Tracking your mileage or your current progress in a training plan is great for motivation. The key to being consistent in your routine is to be consistently on track and consistently challenged, and once you find that balance, it’s a whole "lot" easier to log the miles and make sure you don’t lose sight of your goal.
For those with large commitments and large goals, running a marathon with specific intervals is an example of how keeping things challenging is important. You have to know when to dial it back and not be scared to work hard if you’re truly not feeling it and need to spend more time off the track than on it.
The biggest things in my training were keeping things challenging by mixing things up and challenging myself but also taking breaks from the routine. I would sometimes only run 3-4 miles, but they were all challenging, varied, and fun, and that was the most important part.
I love the feeling of working on your own and making decisions for yourself, but I also think it can be very beneficial to get the advice of those who’ve done it before. As I mentioned, if there was one piece of advice I’d offer to a beginner, it would be to look at your training log on a weekly basis and make sure you’re really logging the miles you are. If you are, that’s great, and you will do well. However, I don’t believe you have to log miles every day in order to be effective. Find what works best for you, but I wouldn’t recommend forgoing a training plan completely, because as I said above, consistency is the most important thing. Finding time in your day to train can be tough, but if you’re giving it your best effort, you will be rewarded.
In closing…
If you’re on the fence about training for your first 5k or running your first marathon, I’d encourage you to take it on and make a commitment. Believe me, it’s a great experience. Running a marathon is much easier than you might think, and you will not regret your decision. You will absolutely love the bond and the satisfaction of finishing your goal.
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Alex Somerton is an entrepreneur who has always loved running and making people laugh. He currently lives in Boulder, Colorado, and enjoys running, skiing, biking, writing, and working with underprivileged youth.
If you don't stay motivated, you won't lose weight. Schedule time every day to do something that promotes weight loss, such as a workout with friends or family or simply packing your lunch for work.
Tracking: Journaling your food intake on paper or the app will help you track your progress. No more paper post-its with circles and arrows sticking out everywhere.
Mix up your workout: You may think you're doomed to the same old workout because you've done it for years. Switch it up. Try taking the stairs, going on an early-morning walk, or working out with friends.
Pay attention to portion sizes: Aim for your meals to be about the size of a deck of cards (an average person has four times as many calories in a deck of cards as they do in a burger and fries).
Keep hydrated: Drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day to keep your body functioning properly. Even with good intentions, it's easy to forget to drink.
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