Fit Dish – French Fry Runner

5 People to Work Out With

Sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit. I’ve been super busy and/or unmotivated to write. Haha. 🙂 I ran a 5K on Saturday (recap coming soon), which was great. Spoiler: official PR!!

For the Fit Dish Link-Up today, the topic is 5 People You Would Like to Workout with and/or Be Trained By. Here’s my list of awesome people:

Deena Kastor: Since I saw Spirit of the Marathon, I’ve respected Deena Kastor. I’d love to run with her (on one of her “I’ll run like molasses today” runs) or just train in her facility in Mammoth Lakes, California, with other elites. Also, total bonus that she ran for the University of Arkansas. (I’m from Arkansas.) She seems like a lovely, passionate person, and I’d love to meet her.
Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell: I pretty much love these two. They are full of life and just love to run and motivate other women. I’d love to run a marathon with Sarah and a triathlon with Dimity. I’ve been listening to their podcast since the beginning, read their books (their new one just came out), and read their blog, Another Mother Runner. Check them out if you haven’t already.
Amy Poehler and Tina Fey: Because who wouldn’t want to work out with them, let alone just hang out with these best friends? Check out Amy’s dream exercise class here.
Emily Blunt: Why, yes, she really did do that peacock pose in The Edge of Tomorrow. I’ve read all about her exercise routine, which involves sprints and bleachers and yoga and all kinds of awesome. I’d love to practice yoga with her and just hang out. I’m sure she’s lovely.
Jillian Michaels: Sure, she’s tough, and she’d probably yell at me, but I think we’d be friends at the end of the workout. I know some people find her annoying, but I don’t really, especially after listening to her podcast. If you haven’t listened to it, you should give her a chance.

5 People to Workout With | FrenchFryRunner.com — She’s awesome (source)

Who would you workout with?

This post is linked up with others for The Fit Dish Link-Up. Thanks to Jill Conyers at JillConyers.com, & Jessica Joy at TheFitSwitch.org for hosting. Be sure to visit their blogs and others in the link-up.

Motivation and the Movies

Motivation and the Movies: 5 Movies to Motivate and Inspire | FrenchFryRunner.com I’ve always been into sports and played organized sports from elementary school through high school–and a bit in college. Because of this, I’ve always enjoyed sports movies. They motivate me to be better, to come from behind, to go to the Olympics! Okay, so that last one probably will never happen, but maybe I can do one more push-up or drag myself out of bed in the morning to exercise. Or maybe I can pick myself up after faceplanting at yet another attempt at crow pose. I picked out a few of my favorite sports movies that have motivated me, and I hope you like them too.

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Miracle. When Mike Eruzione said that he played for the USA and not his college team, I teared up. At that moment, you knew the team would come together and become champions.
Cool Runnings. Sure, the Jamaican Bobsled Team didn’t win the event, but the fact that they picked up their bobsled and finished the race after it fell apart shows great pride and courage.

Rudy. After years of hard work, Rudy finally made it into a game. What a lesson of perseverance!

Hoosiers. What a classic. Nuff said.

A League of Their Own. I love Dottie Henson. And this scene is one of my favorites. She just has the nonchalant air of someone who knows she’s good but isn’t a snob about it. Haha. I want to be better because of her.

I’m also highly motivated by words and quotes. Here’s one of my favorites:

We have so much untapped potential inside ourselves, and we need to unleash that potential every day. We can do it; I know we can. 🙂

What motivates you? #motivation #fitness Share on X

What’s your favorite movie? Mine’s actually My Fair Lady.

What’s your favorite quote?

I’m also linking up with April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Patty from My No-Guilt Life, and Erika from MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run! Be sure to visit their blogs and others in the link-up.

Conversations with Fitness Non-Enthusiasts: This Is the Best Game EVER!

best game ever gif — Oh, Chandler (source)

. . . but some people don’t feel that way. For me, my fitness habits are a way for me to become the best I can be. I feel the most confident and powerful when I’m working out, eating right, and seeing results. But, again, some people don’t feel that way and don’t understand why I do the things I do. As fitness enthusiasts, sometimes it’s hard for us to believe that others don’t feel the same way about running/yoga/pump/weightlifting/swimming/cycling as we do. So how do we cope with people who don’t see fitness and health in the same light? Here are a few tips to combat any negativity and be encouraging without being annoying to others.

Don’t apologize for your healthy habits. Stick to your guns. The people that matter will be supportive, and that’s what counts. Don’t stop doing your thing to conform to others’ opinions.
Don’t be annoying. Try to be more conscious of how you’re coming off to others with your enthusiasm. Don’t apologize (see above), but if you’re sensing that others are finding you annoying, find other things to talk about. Surely you like other things. 🙂
Don’t criticize others, even if they criticize you. Agree to disagree. Don’t take the bait when someone provokes you. Stand your ground, but don’t escalate matters.
Be encouraging. When someone says, “Oh, I could never do that,” try to relate to the person: “I totally know what you mean!” “You’re right. It is hard at first, but if you just stick with it . . .” Encourage others to find something they love, which is not necessarily what you might love. Accept that and be encouraging anyway.
Be supportive. When a friend or family member sets a goal, be their biggest cheerleader, no matter what that goal is. We are the most vulnerable when we begin working toward a goal, and that’s when we need the most support. Be the one who provides that support.
Be real. Admit that sometimes exercising is hard, that you like to eat those amazing red velvet Oreos by the sleeve sometimes (hopefully not), that you fail sometimes. But record your triumphs, no matter how small. Being yourself will plant a seed, and someday, because of you, others will follow your example.

All of these tips are similar, but it comes down to this: keep doing what you’re doing and be awesome.

What’s your favorite Oreo flavor?

How do you motivate others?

(updated 2/10)