Spring is Over

Here comes our next big challenge: Summer!

Yes, folks. For the next who knows how many days, we finally get to experience the muggy, stifling, 90-degree days of summer. You know what? I hate stepping a single toe outside when the weather is like that. So exercising in it? Ugh.

This is going to be a big challenge for me. I could move inside and focus on yoga 100% of the time, but then I'll lose some of what little progress I've made running, and that's not good since I start training for my October 5k on September 1.

Still, I'm facing this as a challenge to be figured out and conquered, rather than an excuse to not run - and that's progress!

If outside forces keep you from your routine, do you look at them as excuses not to be healthy, or do you look at them as challenges? Remember the three-legged stool from last week? A fitness mindset is vital to succeeding. And if external setbacks are excuses rather than challenges, you're not in the fitness mindset.

How do you get in the fitness mindset? I'm pretty sure it's different for each of us, but for me, the initial moment was back in June when I decided to do this 12 week challenge. I was done being tired and overweight and unable to do the things I wanted to do. A couple of weeks into the challenge, I had to actively remind myself why I was doing this. And as time progressed, it started to become second nature. That doesn't mean I'm perfectly motivated all of the time - I'm human, after all - but I can talk myself through my down moments or pick up, brush myself off, and get going again when I do falter.

And as for running during this upcoming humid heat? This article has some great tips. I might have to try this one: Soak your underwear in cold water, then freeze it. Wear it for your next run. Or, just stick ice packs down your pants.

Or not.