Yes you can

I've had people say to me, "I couldn't do what you do. I couldn't run a kilometre, let alone fifteen."

To which I reply, "Yes you could."

I didn't start out by one day saying, "Hmm...I think I'll run 10k today." Not by a long shot. 

I've written on here before about how when I first started running I barely got to the 100 metre mark before I slowed to a walk and just walked the rest of the way around the reserve across the road (about a kilometre). I felt so unfit, so unhealthy, despite the fact that I wasn't overweight.

Just because you're not overweight doesn't mean that you're healthy.

But see, the thing was I wanted to be able to run. I wanted to be fit and healthy and strong. 

And so I went after what I wanted. I kept running that 100m until it didn't hurt so much and I could control my breathing and then I pushed it a little further...and then a little further...and then further still. I didn't set unrealistic goals. I'd reach an achievable goal and then just stay with that distance for a while until I knew it was time to challenge myself.

And the secret is I stuck with it. I didn't give up. I didn't give in, even when I wanted to stay in bed and pike out on exercising that day; even when it was winter and cold and dark and raining.

That's the thing. IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH THEN YOU'LL STICK WITH IT.

No, it doesn't come easy. It's not MEANT to be easy. It takes WORK. It takes COMMITMENT. There's no easy way out. There's no quick fix or shortcut. Being at my current level of fitness has taken me THREE years to achieve. It's taken me three years to gain some muscle. Over that time I've also lost five kilos - something I wasn't really planning on but it happened all the same. Five kilos doesn't sound like much in the grand scheme of things but it makes my doctor happy because he was hoping I could get back to pre-baby weight. Pre-baby was when I was 19 years old. I thought he was dreaming! Apparently he wasn't. 

My encouragement to you is, find what you really want and go for it. What you want will most likely be completely different to what I want. Good! Be prepared to put in the hard yards. You want to lose those extra kilos? Then you have to want it bad enough to put in the hard work. It takes commitment! It doesn't come easy. You want to improve your fitness and strength and stamina? Then you have to want it bad enough to get up, get out there and move that body. Find something you love doing and do it. Find something you've always wanted to do and start doing it. It may be running, dancing, tennis, golf or basketball. It may be losing weight. It may be learning an instrument, or singing. It may even be cultivating an abundant vegetable garden or sewing your own quilt or knitting a blanket. Whatever it is, go for it and put in the work you need to do to get there.

No, it's not easy. It's not meant to be. But trust me, the rewards are incredible. You'll feel amazing - body, soul, mind and spirit.