5 Tips to Become a Curvy Runner
Hey Curvyfitsis! I’m back to help you get started on your running journey. Yes ma’am! I know, I know…you’ve been thinking about it but wasn’t sure how to get started. Well I don’t want you putting it off any longer. If you’re anything like me, you can sometimes overthink things and that leads to procrastination. I’ll tell myself that I need to do more research, ask more experts, take more notes and anything else not to actually get started. It’s best to do things that are challenging and even a lil nerve wracking in order to stretch yourself to a new level. I’m not saying to go in blindly either. You know what I mean. You should have a handle on information when it comes to introducing a new activity to the body. You don’t want to hurt yourself. I am a major advocate for injury prevention. It’s the nurse in me! I wrote an entire blog post on this topic, check it out. Anyway, I digress 🙂!
FYI: Keep in mind that if you’ve been inactive for quite some time, running is not recommended as a reintro back into fitness. Consult your physician or health care professional before you begin running or other exercises, especially if you have any health concerns.
Let’s delay no longer and get into 5 ways to get started and add running into your curvy fit routine.
#1 First and foremost, get your mind right
You will never start running if you have not made a decision to do so. Now in order to make the decision, you have to believe you actually can do it.
Commit to running
Know that your curvy body is capable
Rewire your brain by remembering your past fitness successes
Write down all the reasons why you CAN run
Running is challenging. It is hardwork. But guess what? I DO IT! You can too. This is the thing….Curvy Fit Chicks are always pushing to expand their fitness repertoire. Running fits perfectly in the equation.
#2 Use good judgment and start off slow
You have to ease into running and know that it will be a process like everything else. So give yourself grace as your curvy body gets acclimated to the new activity. In the beginning you may have to:
Use the walk/run method (Run for as much as you can. Then walk. Alternating until you become better)
Focus on the time vs the distance
Don’t obsess over the distance
Accomplish what you can in a set time. It allows you to appreciate progress more.
Build up your endurance
Go at your own pace (There’s no competition against anyone.)
Start with running once/week and gradually increasing as you improve
Black woman smiling and running in the sand at the beach
#3 Train
Curvyfitsis…you must continue to train your body to perform well in your running. Running is only one of the curvy fitness activities.
Injury prevention
Lean muscle mass improves performance
Strong muscles help you carry your weight and take pressure off the joints
Proper technique
Breathing
#4 Hire a Running Coach/Personal Trainer
Work with an expert
He/She will assess your needs and customize a path to your curvy running goals
Accountability
Professional guidance and feedback
Support
Give you the confidence to run
#5 Plan
There are many different ways to incorporate running into your routine. You may find that it can get a bit overwhelming just popping up with something. I’d suggest utilizing a plan.
You can develop one yourself
Hire a running coach as previously discussed
Schedule a consult with The Curvy Fit RN
Use the Ultimate Health and Fitness Tracker to write out your plan
Stay focused and start slow
I can’t wait to hear from you and learn how you have started to incorporate running into your curvy fitness routine. I know it can feel overwhelming in the beginning, but stay consistent and improvement will come. I’ve been doing it now for 3 years and sometimes I still shock myself LOL! Girll, running was something I could never imagine this curvy plus size body doing. I thought it was for those women over there, not me. But sis, it is everything. My body has adapted and sculpted in ways I haven’t seen before from my regular workout routine. Running has allowed me to challenge my curvy body and become a more versatile curvy athlete. You CAN do the same.