Ok, So everyone tells me I need to start a NiteSweatz blog… what’s a blog anyway? Am I the only person on the face of this earth that doesn’t read blogs? “They” say, you have so much to talk about, just start writing it in your blog. So today as I started back on my running regime (with my 9 month old in tow in the jog stroller) I thought, ok, today is the day I will start my blog-ing. I am not one to start a diet or a new exercise program on a Monday or the first of the month I just wake up and decide to do something and then try like heck to stick with it. So with one hour left in May I am going to give this blog idea a try. 

I am Lesley Hatfield, the Founder and President of NiteSweatz, if you took the time to read about me, you will know that I am an Exercise Physiologist by degree and have been a practicing personal trainer and wellness consultant for the past 12 years. Although most of my life is consumed with NiteSweatz and my new little family, at the core of me is still a health nut and a women wanting to help others be healthy, get healthy and stay healthy. So I thought we could talk about different health related topics that seem to plague all of us… from how to start an exercise program, to how to fit it into our busy life styles and maybe even share a recipe or two for those nites that you just don’t know what to make for dinner! I reserve the right to change my mind on the topics, hey, I am a woman and it’s my blog! 

I told you that today I started back on my running regime. I have been a runner for years, but with the birth of my son I have really only run a few times during his little 9 month life. Ok, I walk a lot and do some light weight training, but running, no. How do I get back in to it? How does anyone start to run or become a runner? Many people have asked me this and I have trained many walkers to become runners and the simple answer is, you don’t have to do it all in your first outing. Start slow, be forgiving, allow yourself to walk and set short obtainable goals. Taking me for example… today I wanted to go for a walk and instead I used my jog stroller and said to myself,” I will only jog the flat parts and the down hills” (as I live in a very hilly neighborhood). I would set short goals for myself of just running to the next stop sign or three more mailboxes. For some it may be that you only jog when you cross a street or walk for 4 minutes and jog for 1 and over the course of a few months you gradually increase your jog time and decrease your walk time until you are running the entire distance. There were times today that I just had to stop and walk, and guess what, it was ok, why, because I was out there trying and tomorrow is another day! I strongly encourage a running partner to stay accountable, believe me there are days you want to be out there and days you don’t, that’s when a partner really comes to the rescue. Two of my business partners are running partners of mine, one I trained to run and the other has trained me. There is a very special bond that is created “on the road” I highly recommend finding a friend to share in your experience! Running is not for everyone, but it is something you can do just about anywhere, costs very little to get started, and doesn’t take all that much time out of your busy day! My goal is to run the Peachtree Road Race here in Georgia on the 4th of July with 50,000 of my closest friends, join me!  

Lesley