1. Good shoes are essential. This is not an option! Do not wear your old kicks that you've been gardening in. Do not order cute runners off the Internet because you like the color and style. Go to your local running store, and let them watch you run. Try different shoes and find some that work for you. You are not dating your shoes, you are marrying them. Make sure you're willing to commit.
2. This shit is going to hurt. You are going to experience pain. Believe that, prepare for it. Arm yourself with ice, heat, foam rollers, compression socks and a supportive partner. Get tough in your mind.
3. Find a plan and stick with it. There are tons of plans out there which will reasonably and safely help train a new runner. I personally liked Couch to 5K. Find one that works for you. There's tons of online support too. Check out Facebook pages and blogs. Subscribe to running magazines. Join forces with like-minded people.
4. Register for a 5K. Lay out the cash and have a date with destiny! In my experience, just having the goal of weight loss isn't enough to keep running long term. Enlist one of your friends or your spouse to run the race with you. Believe me, you will NOT finish last. (And if you did, so what?) Races make the exercise an experience. It's a fun reward for all your hard work.
5. For the love of all that is holy, get off that treadmill and go outside to run! Put the sun on your face and some miles behind you. You'll be so glad you did.
6. Believe in yourself. You can do this!
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