RunHeartFit.net

I started this blog so I could inspire and motivate people to run and be healthy. I wanted to be there to answer questions and provide insight. While I’m not a coach, personal trainer or professional athlete, I do have years of experience and a lot of trial and error. I love being the inspiration for people to be active and that in turn motivates me to keep going.

What can you do to inspire the people around you to be active? Here’s a few things that are working for me.

∼Be Active On Social Media

Some find social media fake and misleading but I find it inspiring and motivating. I choose to follow people that keep it real and aren’t just posing. Having said that, do I search through my video frames to find the best shot to post on IG and FB? Well yeah! Who wants to post the pic of cellulite legs or the one where I look like I should be riding the short bus (no offense to anyone). I want to post the best pic I have, which can be a  challenge and still they are never model perfect. (Because unfortunately I’m not model perfect. 😉 ). I never post to brag or to make anyone feel bad about not running or working out. 

In 2018 when I was training for my Boston qualifying marathon and subsequently running and qualifying I received an enormous amount of support and encouragement via social media. I totally believe I couldn’t have done it without it. I also found that people were motivated by my training posts and some actually started running! Social media has opened up and avenue for conversations and encouragement that wasn’t available when I entered the running community. 

∼Ask Questions and Be Approachable

I love it when a friend/co-worker comes to me and tells me about the mile they ran or how they started planking. Some tell me about how they are changing their diet or walking after dinner. I’m not taking credit for their lifestyle changes just pointing out that they know they can come to me and I’m interested. I also make it a point to ask about people’s running/cycling/OTF/Pilates, whatever they might be interested in. Hearing about what they’re doing to stay healthy inspires me to keep doing what I do. I love that when people see me they feel the need to talk fitness. 

∼Be Relatable

My job attracts a young population, and/or most of the nurses my age decide that they’ve had enough of the emergency department (ED) and find something else. For me I think it keeps me young and I like the chaos.  Sometimes I forget that I am 20 (or 30) years older than these “babies” I work with and while I’m not partying with them, we do discuss workouts and the latest diet trends.  They keep me current and I share years of “wisdom”. 😉

The other day a very fit, very health-conscious “baby” co-worker was giving me advise for shortening the course of my cold and ended with “Well I don’t have to tell you that, you already know.” But really, I’m not all knowing and welcome any and all advise. We’re all in this together.

∼Get People Involved

Sign up for a race and encourage others to join you. Fourteen years ago I was talked into running my first marathon with a friend at work and it changed my life forever. Since then I’ve had co-workers run their first 5k, 10 miler and half marathon with me.  Be the person that changes someone’s life. 

As of yesterday I am co-captain of our American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk team in the ED. My job is to get people to donate and/or walk for AHA. I’m thinking this is going to be our best year ever! 

If you love what you do, like we do, it will show and some people will naturally be inspired. Others might need a little extra push. Don’t be afraid to give a little push but know when to back off. I was talking with a co-worker about the Big Sur Marathon when a friend interrupted and changed the subject, then said “Sorry but I hate talking about races.” She’s obviously not a runner. Lol. No worries, we’ll talk later. 😉

Do you try to encourage friends, family and co-workers to follow in your footsteps? Are you the go-to person at work? Do you too, find that you are surrounded by “babies”?

                                                           This week I’m linking with Fairytales and Fitness. 

Thanks for reading!

                    Denise