5 Tips To Start Jogging

 Look, I'll be honest: I don't really like jogging. 

But I try to do it daily. Why? Well, because I'm too cheap to purchase new clothes. Also, my metabolism is basically dead. I don't want to go to the gym so jogging in the neighborhood it is. That way I can continue to enjoy my fried foods and pie without feeling too guilty. 

If you're tempted to start the new year with jogging, allow me to share some tips that helped me out. 

1. Grab some pain relief cream because your muscles will hurt when you start. Doctor Hoy's makes a fantastic line of natural pain relief creams. I absolutely love the pain relief gel roll-on. It truly helps with any soreness that I have. 

2. Stretch. I sometimes forget to stretch. I just want to get the jogging over with so I just start and then my muscles are like, "lady, you're 40 now, you can't do this." Also drink plenty of water. If you need to bring a bottle with you, do so. I usually do not but I have seen others gripping a water bottle as they run past. 

3. Download some fantastic music and blast it to help dull out the pain. I found these headphones and they have a great sound output. 

4. Don't overdo it. You'll pass some of the joggers who actually LIKE what they are doing. They'll make it seem effortless and breeze past you in overpriced lululemon gear. But do not match them. No, be content with your Target sweats and stained t-shirt and go at your own pace. I usually jog until I hit 7000 steps on my Fitbit. Then I'm done even if that one blonde lady I see in the mornings has lapped me like 3 times and is actually SMILING making it seem like I could be like her and keep going but NO. (Also, I find wearing funny t-shirts helps. I don't know why. But I like this taco one.)

5. Be proud of yourself even if you only jog for 5 minutes. It's something. It's better than nothing. You can work up to a longer time. And if not, that's okay too. Find something that works for YOU. 

Good luck! I feel like I need it whenever I jog but then I feel better when it's all over because it's A) over with for the day and B) I can have the candy bar and be like "oh I jogged at least half of the calories of this off earlier so it's okay." I don't care if that's not proper logic. It is what it is in my eyes. 

So are you a jogger?