Keep Fit: On Living a Healthier Life in 2015
I’ve made about 18 New Year’s resolutions for 2015. There’s my old standby, which is to read more intelligent books—those classics that you were supposed to read in high school but didn’t quite devote the attention they deserved. Three years into this resolution and I’ve slowly been chipping away at the gargantuan list. Tops for 2015 are Moby Dick, Catch-22 and Room with a View.
The rest of my resolutions can all be summed up to reflect living a healthier lifestyle.
I’ve resolved to be more organized, to go on Facebook less, essentially to waste less time. I’d love to train to stand up paddle from Montauk Point to Block Island with Paddlers for Humanity this August, but, more realistically, at least until the weather turns, I’ve also resolved to be more conscience about running regularly.
I talk about running a lot, but I was forced to take time off over the summer due to lingering knee pain. Though I’m able to run now, I’ve become more comfortable and complacent about not running. I’ve discovered other fitness outlets, such as stand up paddleboarding and yoga, having realized that my injury was likely caused by overuse and developing muscles used in running at the expense of others. But I miss the competitive aspect of running. I miss the idea of running a race, especially running a race faster than other people. And I miss the mental high of heading outside and logging miles.
Resolving to get into better shape or to be more active may be the most common promise people make to themselves as the new year takes off. For those who want to reintroduce running into their lives, an article posted on RunnersWorld.com on December 29 confirmed that getting back into it is just like riding the proverbial bike.
Apparently, science has proven that muscle memory exists for running, and the more a person runs, the easier it will be to return, regardless of the amount of time you’ve taken off. “Even after a long break, you’re going to be running more efficiently and wasting less energy than someone who is new to the sport,” says Adam Knight, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomechanics at Mississippi State University in the article. “You can make the assumption you’ll get back in shape more quickly because of that.”
This makes sense, as I went for a run on Christmas Day and felt so alive. Adding to this feeling, I think, will be signing up for a race. The second-annual Bridgehampton Half Marathon is on May 9. If you’ve run before and want to race, there is still plenty of time to train for the 13.1 miles. Visit bridgehamptonhalf.com for more information.
However, for those who have never run before, a gym membership is typically the first step to committing to a workout. But, beware. Another interesting article recently posted on uproxx.com asserted that low-cost gyms actually coerce members into not going to the gym. The reasoning behind it is pretty simple—if you spend, say $10 a month on the gym, it’s pretty easy to make excuses not go to the gym. You’re not losing enough, monetarily, to truly motivate yourself to work out. Of course, you’re welcome to join a low cost gym and force yourself to use the membership.
The glitz of the holiday season may be over, but the new year is the perfect opportunity to set, and keep, various goals. As I’m always interested in ways to be more definitive in my intentions, you can find me at the “New Year, New Intention” yoga workshop at Well Within studio in East Hampton on January 10 from 2–4:30 p.m. Visit wellwithinstudio.com for additional information.