ONE WAY TO BUST A FITNESS RUT

Sunrise in the Sunshine State. Taken by PKSenagore February 19, 2018. All rights reserved.

GET OUT OF YOUR FITNESS RUT ‘Listicles’ (writing pieces that are wholly or partially constructed around a list, but that have enough explanation or discussion to qualify as an article) are a fact of modern life. They are particularly popular in areas of self-help like fitness, nutrition, health.  Many are featured in this blog, especially if a novel concept is introduced or a particularly difficult subject is explained.
 
In my opinion, the short lists are composed by advice ‘lumpers’, who provide suggestions for self-improvement in broad action categories. An example is a lumper nutrition expert whose healthier diet list includes eating foods of different colors at each meal, never skipping breakfast, drinking 8 glasses of water per day, and cutting out fried foods.
 
Longer lists are by advanced by advice ‘splitters’ who feel readers appreciate more detailed directions to improve. A splitter expert might identify 25 of the most nutrient-packed foods to include in a diet, broken down by categories that include fruits, vegetables, spices, and fermented foods.
 
Depending on the topic, I appreciate both types of listicles.   Both can be useful and inspiring. After all, each one is a guide, a large- or small-scale map, to making improvements in a given area of life. A lumper article might offer a large amount of explanation under each short-list item.  A splitter article may be less likely to provide discussion under each long-list item.
 
Kylie Gilbert wrote a listicle for SHAPE.com that offers readers “20 Ways to Bust Out of Your Workout Rut.”  This is a splitter for good reason. The items cannot easily be lumped and remain helpful; they would be too vague. Plus, Gilbert offers a considerable amount of explanation with additional links under each ‘way’.
 
 I count 19 (not 20) ways, with the 19th and last being the ONE item that Earned Runs is best at helping you with: sign up for a race. How to find one near you?  
 
There are races in each community throughout the year that might be sponsored or publicized by specialty running shoe stores.  Events posted by stores could also include walks and hiking expeditions, cycling adventures, stand-up paddleboard competitions, indoor and outdoor triathlons, snowshoe excursions, obstacle course challenges, and other group or social athletic activities. Many may be small and local, some could be huge and attract regional or national participation.
 
The internet is a common place to search that yields amazing results.  I’ve been floored to learn that a totally awesome event is being held not too far from my home or that of a friend or relative (meaning it’s likely I could participate).
 
If there isn’t an organized race that excites you, EARNED RUNS BIBS allow you to design a customized race or challenge. Solo or with a group of friends. First, COMMIT to a race or challenge to get out of your rut. Then train for it. Finally, pin on a bib, DO IT, and record the results on your bib. No muss, no fuss, all you.  The type or theme of the event, date, location, course/setting, participants, and time are all chosen by you. 

This is ONE WAY to shake up your exercise world, to get yourself out of a fitness rut! No excuses are acceptable if you run the show. Commit to a challenge. Pin on a bib, if you dare. 
 
No bibs? No worries. REQUEST a set today.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listicle
 
https://www.shape.com/fitness/tips/20-ways-bust-out-your-workout-rut