One Month Challenge: Fun with Fitness?

March 6, 2010 5:00 pm     Posted in Body, Fitness, Reality  Norah - Drake University g+ page

Everyone’s got a vice, a bad habit, something they know they need to change. Unfortunately, everyone also has a million excuses why they just can’t do it. Not anymore. Every month we will be following a different CollegeCandy writer as she takes on a personal challenge. Last month we followed Lauren from University of Michigan as she successfully went 100% sober. This month we’re following Norah on her quest to bring exercise into her life.


By Norah

I am quite possibly the least athletic person you will ever meet.

When I was 12, my mother asked me not to run in public. “It’s embarrassing,” she said. “There’s something about the way you run that’s just…weird.”

Once I started college, my friends quickly diagnosed my problem: I run like a dinosaur.

Here’s why: When I was 4, I started taking Irish dancing lessons. Yes, like Riverdance. And in Irish dancing, you’re not allowed to move your arms—they have to stay straight at your sides. So when it came time to run, I didn’t know what to do with my arms. With no better ideas, I just pulled them up by my armpits and “took flight.”

Add in some exercise-induced asthma and a fear of flying sports equipment and it’s clear that I was never meant to be an athlete.

I’ve been accused of being lazy, of not really trying, of not being committed enough to get in shape. But I know that’s not it. In elementary school, when the rest of the class couldn’t play on the playground until the last person was done running the mile, I remember trying so hard to finish so my classmates wouldn’t hate me (fourth graders are fickle, fickle creatures). If the anger of my peers wasn’t enough to push me to physical fitness, I don’t know what is.

A few months ago, I made a promise to myself to change all this. But just like every time before, it didn’t last. I went to one Pilates class on campus and worked out with the ROTC guys one morning, but nothing stuck. So, as a challenge to myself, I’m going to use the next four weeks to show you (and myself) that I CAN do this—that I CAN find a fitness plan that works for me, that I enjoy, and that I can stick to in the future. I know I’m not going to become a fitness guru or a triathlete overnight, and I accept that for most of the month, this is really going to suck. I’m going to be sore and crabby and exhausted and too busy to fit a workout into my schedule (and you’re going to hear all about it).

But along the way, I’ll be looking for fun ways to get fit for those of us who aren’t so athletically inclined. I’m sick of videos like this that were clearly not created with people like me in mind. And while I’m sure I’ll find plenty of awkward, clumsy moments along the way (and share them with you, of course), I’ll keep trying new things until I find something that might help us all.

(If that’s not enough motivation, check out this video. Then imagine a person running like that. Yes, I really do need help.)

37 Comments on "One Month Challenge: Fun with Fitness?"

  1. Trixxi says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 201012:31 pm 

    You should try roller skating. I do roller derby and it's a great workout and it's a lot of fun. you should see if there's a team in your area and go out for a practice. I was never athletic either until I started derby and now I love it.

  2. nessa says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20102:44 pm 

    hahahah you are really funny! I enjoyed reading this, and I'll enjoy keeping up with this series!

  3. Candie says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20103:50 pm 

    Good luck, girl :)

  4. Ellen says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20104:47 pm 

    You know what might be helpful? Cross-trainers. It gives you something to do with your arms! Anyway good luck! :)

  5. Dani says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20106:18 pm 

    good luck!
    also: do you REALLY run like that? really? i need evidence.

  6. Norah - Drake University says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20106:23 pm 

    Thanks! And yes, I really do run like that. Maybe I’ll have someone videotape it sometime this month…although I might want to spare myself the embarrassment. :)

  7. We clocked the T-Rex at 72.... says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20107:20 pm 

    Check out some high intensity, general purpose fitness programs. I really took to Crossfit and it changed my life; it is far from perfect but it’s fun, engaging, and pushes me to my limits. Good luck with the search.

  8. Karissa says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20107:22 pm 

    This was my New Year’s Resolution. And have I exercised? Nope. i need to but I just can’t seem to find the motivation! Maybe your posts will help me.

  9. Naima says:
    Sat, 6th Mar 20107:27 pm 

    hahhahahahhaah im sorry the running is just out of there

  10. Gray says:
    Sun, 7th Mar 20102:16 am 

    I have a feeling I'm going to love your writing. I immediately started laughing as soon as I started reading. Good luck with working out.

    P.S. – Please post a video of you running. It would make my day.

  11. Meg says:
    Sun, 7th Mar 20105:07 am 

    It takes 21 days to form a habit!

    Get through this month and you're well on your way to a healthier life!

  12. Tamara says:
    Sun, 7th Mar 20105:31 am 

    Hey, exercise junky here! I like everything from pilates to lift weighting, but I need variety in my life, so I've tried almost everything. Also, I have a spine problem that makes it unhealthy for me to run, jump and use some machines, so I'm always on the look for healthy exercises.

    My picks for you:

    - Latino dance: I live in Latin America so I can find salsa, latino and reggaeton classes in many gyms, I don't know how it is in the USA. Still, is a great cardio, good to flexibilize your hips and waist, and super fun! (Not to mention sexy)

    - Yoga: there are 100000000 types of yoga. Some are more about strenght, others more about flexibility, others more about mental peace, but most of them are very complete. My favourite is Swasthya yoga, because it really works up your strenght, flexibility and concentration, without having a religious background.

    - Tango: as an Argentinian, I just have to recommend it. I have a friend who's a teacher and professional dancer: it makes your legs lean, gives you grace (helps you with your clumsyness) and lets you learn to walk and dance in high heels like a supermodel.

    Best of luck, I'll be following your series.

  13. C says:
    Sun, 7th Mar 20106:00 am 

    Oh god, I'm exactly like you when it comes to sports or physical activity. Your story will be an inspiration. Good luck!

  14. Kelly says:
    Sun, 7th Mar 20106:58 pm 

    haha, i like your writing style, its very funny!

  15. Norah - Drake Univer says:
    Sun, 7th Mar 20107:23 pm 

    Thanks for all the advice. I'll try some of these things out and will definitely let you know how it goes!

  16. Kelly Roche says:
    Mon, 8th Mar 20107:00 am 

    Norah!!! You are so my twin:) If you figure out something that works for you–let me know–maybe I could give it a try. Good luck!

    Kelly

  17. Charlsie - Hollins U says:
    Mon, 8th Mar 201011:39 am 

    You go girl. From one College Candy writer to another, let me say I have full faith in your abilities and I look forward to following you this month.

  18. sara says:
    Mon, 8th Mar 20103:05 pm 

    If you are running, walking or biking, I definitely recommend favoriterun.com – you can create a free account and log all of your workout activities into a nice little portfolio. But the coolest part is, you can look at satellite images to map out your running routes, and see exactly how far you ran. Very cool!

  19. E says:
    Fri, 12th Mar 201012:09 am 

    When i saw this post i was like "yeah this is DEFINITELY for me". I'll b e rooting for you and hopefully u'll help me on my quest to get a lot more fit before my 17th birthday (that's a month away). cheers!

  20. Lou says:
    Sat, 13th Mar 201012:57 am 

    just go on the elliptical for an hour or so. no running involved and you just have to move your arms with the handles

  21. Lauren Hooker says:
    Sat, 20th Mar 201010:24 am 

    "I run like a dinosaur."

    Hahah! ME TOO!

    I never know where to position my arms. Add in some huffing/puffing, and I'm like a T-rex trying to chase after a Iguanadon.

  22. bowflex for health says:
    Thu, 1st Apr 201011:11 pm 

    Three factors balance in sports. That is aerobic exercise for cardio training, aerobic exercise or weight training, and stretching to avoid injury.

    Your story interest.

    Thanks

  23. Ago says:
    Thu, 1st Apr 201011:14 pm 

    Yoga have flexible posture of many long stretches.

    visit this site http://bestbowflexonline.co.cc
    Thanks

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  27. Saeid says:
    Mon, 12th Mar 20129:30 pm 

    i swear by Champion brand, high intensity posrts bras. the straps make it nice to fit just right for you. I do the same thing where I wear a size smaller so that nothing moves lol. I tend to stray away from the non-adjustable kinds because they stretch out of shape after 6 months of a lot of use usually the bottom ribbing that goes around the rib cage and around your back stretches out and doesn’t fit the same

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