I am hoping to prepare myself for my first run ever. Using the Fitbit band, I intend to keep a tab on my daily fitness levels, especially the things that will help me understand my workout regime - calories burnt, steps taken in a day, resting heart beat as opposed to workout, running pace, etc.?
So let's get started!?
Like most people on 31st December, I've also gave a fair share of my hard-earned money to the gym. As usual, I intended to go but failed miserably. It¡¯s abysmal, in fact, so I'm going to get this straight - going to the gym is not my cup of tea, and I reckon it will never be, unless someone physically makes me. Hence, in a bid to shed some kilos, I've pondered over several strategies that have worked for people in bits and pieces.
Even though I understand how taxing running can be, I believe it's the?only exercise that can help me, given my situation. As an inexperienced runner, my stamina is an area of primary concern. Additionally, my calves kill me by the end of even a small run. A lack of strength and flexibility in my legs is the probable cause, and I need to build a solid strategy going forward if I am to complete this run. ? ?
For the next four weeks, I am going to employ methods that are easy, doable, and within my capabilities. Things like going for a run in the morning, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking as much as I can, drinking loads of water, ditching junk food, and not giving up on the health components of my regular diet.?
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By doing so, I wish to attain a healthy body. I intend to attain a state where I don¡¯t pant after climbing stairs, I don¡¯t dread the idea of walking a kilometre, and I don¡¯t fret over the idea of taking a small jog.
I started my day with an appetising healthy breakfast, and I must tell you it didn¡¯t feel quite right. I'm the kind of person who gobbles down two aloo paranthas for breakfast, and I had a very sad sprouts salad. But I'm not complaining.
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Bye Bye Cupcakes!
Amidst this, I am also going to keep a tab on whatever I do and whatever I eat. Owing to which, I have completely given up on binge eating. As I headed home after work on day 1 for some snacks, I ate two boiled eggs.
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I am also going to include bananas and citrus fruits in my diet, and ensure that I drink 2-3 litres of water a day. ?
I had my first run yesterday, and frankly speaking, it was miraculous. It feels great committing to something that energises your body and mind because running after those taxing hours at office is not only relaxing?but exhilarating as well.
While it¡¯s tempting to go out and run as fast as you can for as long as you can, you¡¯ll ultimately run longer, feel stronger, and stay injury free if you start by adding short bouts of running to your regular walks, gradually increasing the amount of time you spend running.
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The key is to not exhaust yourself
Just keep it light and do things that are easy to pursue. For instance, yesterday, I took the stairs instead of the elevator, and I brisk walked 5 km. ?
Moreover, add one minute of running for every four minutes of walking, and gradually increase your running time so that eventually you¡¯ll be running for twice the amount of time that you spend walking.
So I ran, brisk walked and jogged, adding up to 5 km on day 1. I didn¡¯t pressurise myself with it and just went with the flow. I started walking and slowly shifted to running. I did it as much as I could, and when I found myself panting from the run, I began to walk again. The thing is, I refused to stop until I hit 5.
Since my office is on the 7th floor, taking the stairs even once or twice a day is good enough. So after walking almost 4,000 steps on day 1 in office, I geared up for my run in the evening.
Using Fitbit, I know how many steps I'm walking, what my target is, what my heartbeat is like, and most importantly, how much fat I have burnt.
Before I started running, my resting heart beat was 71, and when I ended my run, it was around 140. It¡¯s too technical to gauge, but I like to see how the body reacts when I am resting and when I am on the go.
The mighty day ended with a good run, some 12,000 steps, letting go of nearly 2,300 calories, and a lot of perspiration. One thing I love about using this gadget is that it tells me exactly how many calories I have burnt, thus, presenting a stark comparison with my intake.?
Calorie control is so important because if you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight, and if you eat fewer calories than you burn, you lose weight.
With Fitbit, I know exactly how much I have burnt and hence can identify the correct amount of healthy food that I need to eat to keep myself running.?
But what I love the most about this gadget is that it tells me every tiny detail about my day. If I forget to walk after an hour, it buzzes, and I am instantly reminded of the walk that I need to take. I am going to improvise more as I use the Fitbit band.?
*waiting for a super-healthy transformation*?
I have to plan my entire day to just fit 'an hour' for a daily run. Getting up early in the morning to cook, coming home slightly early to prepare for the next day, and staying away from junk food has already begun to take a toll on the way I function every day. I feel a little rushed, and I'm having a hard time adjusting to these newly acquired habits. Let's see if the next week brings with it any progress in this department, as well as in my ability to run. ?