How My Lifestyle Has Changed Since I Started Running
I’ve become a better version of myself.
My running journey started about three months ago. At the time, I was not that great of a runner. I couldn’t run far without feeling exhausted and my diet certainly was not the best. Now that I look back though, running has improved not only my fitness but other aspects of my life as well.
Diet
I’ve done some research since I started running and now I know what my body needs before and after a run. I try to have some protein and some fibre before I run, as that is going to give me energy. One thing I’ve also learned is the importance of healthy carbs like buckwheat, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread.
In addition, I have also found that I’ve cut down my consumption of added sugars. I don’t feel the need to eat sugary treats as much as I did before and while I don’t enforce limits on myself, I’ve found that I’ve naturally stopped eating as much junk food because I know that sugar is not going to help me run better. When I start training for my first half-marathon in July, my goal is to completely cut out excess sugar from my diet.
Finally, I’ve also found myself eating more fruits and vegetables. I try to have a portion of fruits or vegetables with every meal.
Motivation
I’ve found that it hasn’t gotten any easier to find the motivation to run. I typically still procrastinate until the evening for my runs but I have gotten better at finding motivation while running. I no longer have the urge to cut my runs short and I even have started to enjoy the challenge of a longer distance.
Sleep
This seems like a no-brainer but I’m going to mention it anyway. I’ve found that on the days when I run I tend to sleep better. I burn more energy on those days, meaning that I need my beauty sleep more than usual.
Overall, I feel my lifestyle has improved from running. It’s given me a goal to work towards outside of school and significantly improved my fitness. I enjoy being in shape because it means I can feel confident in myself and in my abilities.
