Want to chase YOUR dream?
By now, you’ve probably heard about our Dream Chasers team: six motivated Fedhealth members who are going to be competing in their event of choice at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon event on 14th and 15th September. Do you kind of wish you were one of them? Well, you can be! You don’t need us to get you chasing your own fitness dream, that’s all up to you.
If you’re looking for a bit of motivation to get you on your way though, look no further than the tips below to inspire you. It’s time to get moving, and change your life in the process:
- Rope in a friend
Find that friend or family member who also wants to chase their fitness dream. Do you often moan about how you don’t see enough of each other? Well, now you can! Find a training plan that works for both of you and then simply begin. As one of our Dream Chasers, Hengie McInnes, says: “I find that being accountable to someone, even if it’s just someone through an app, works wonders for me”.
- Commit to your exercise
If you’re vague about your fitness sessions, you’ll end up skipping them. Write them down in a joint family calendar, speak to your partner and ensure they’re able to watch the kids, or fulfil other commitments while you’re taking that short time off to exercise. Plan this all on a Sunday before the week begins, so everyone knows when and what you’ll be doing. If you don’t plan, it’s much easier not to make the time to do it.
- Make small goals initially
Running a marathon might be a bit unrealistic if you’ve never run 5km. The trick, according to Joburg-based running coach Brendan McBirnie, is to start with small, achievable goals, and then build up to your ultimate goal. Set a goal for that first week, even if it simply includes three walks around the block. Once you tick that off, reward yourself with something healthy, whether that’s a new workout top or a foot massage. And then make a slightly more ambitious goal for the next week.
- Be patient
It’s easy to get frustrated with slow progress but don’t throw in the towel. Brendan says that you need to allow your body time to adapt to the training load. If you’ve taken a lot of time off from fitness activities, you can’t expect your body to bounce back immediately, especially if you’re no longer 18! Be persistent and you’ll soon see results.
- Share your successes
If you’re on social media, there’s no harm in sharing the odd bit of news documenting your progress. It’s not boasting, it’s a way of motivating yourself – and your loved ones will enjoy sharing in your fitness journey. A simple “I ran 5km today!” post is enough for others to appreciate all the hard work you’re doing. If you’re not a fan of social sharing, share your progress with friends or family when you speak to them – we accomplish a lot more when we feel supported.
Movement and exercise can transform your life, so if you’ve long been thinking about chasing a fitness dream – now is the time to simply begin. You won’t be sorry.
Want to see how our Dream Chasers are getting along? Keep an eye on our social media platforms in the coming months – and get inspired even more!
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
