Beyond the Beach Body
Around this time of the year we all succumb to the same goal, preparing our “beach body.” What this often means in our heads is rigorous hours at the gym and forfeiting our favorite treats. I recently realized this comparison doesn’t seem right. The beach represents a place we go to have fun, spend endless hours in the sun and create memories with the people we love. So why should the process of feeling and looking our best at the beach be any different?
At my office here in Chicago, we recently started an office wide running club. Every Tuesday and Thursday, a group of us leave work at 5:30 and head out for a run along the lake shore path. The run generally consists of 3-miles, with the opportunity to run a longer or shorter distance. The group has attracted runners of every level and continues to grow on a weekly basis. I’ve always been a runner; however, more often than not it can feel like a chore, something to check off the to-do list rather than something to look forward to.
What I discovered through our running club is that the process to getting a beach body can be just as much fun as the actual day on the beach. Amidst busy schedules and family priorities, coordinating a group workout can seem like a challenge that takes more time than it’s worth. Yet, the success of our running group is that it focuses on doing what works for you. If you can’t make it one day, there is another opportunity two days away. A workout doesn’t have to be a chore, it can be a group outing. We laugh, smile and take in the scenery to escape our everyday routine for a half hour. I focus less on how long I’ve been running and take in the time I’m spending with my coworkers. When it comes to preparing that beach body there is no reason that the fun has to wait for the beach.
How are you going to turn your workout into a fun experience?
Diana Kelter wrote this post for Together Counts on behalf of Edelman Digital.