By D’Ann Zona
“Doesn’t my workout already serve a purpose?” Yes, of course there is a purpose to your exercise routine. It decreases your risk for heart disease, makes you stronger, healthier and more self-confident, but what about giving back and adding purpose to your exercise that benefits others. Purpose driven workouts give you a goal – A walk to raise money for a charity, a race to find a cure, or a bike ride to make a wish come true.
More than not, they can help to provide the inspiration and motivation you need to keep going with an exercise plan, especially when things get tough. Knowing people are supporting you and believe you can achieve your gal can also help to spur you on.
Whatever you choose, you’ll almost certainly need to prepare and improve your fitness – giving you the perfect excuse to get more active.Charity events don’t just involve running either – cycling, trekking or walking events are all available.
Charity events don’t just involve running either – cycling, trekking or walking events are all available.
Here are a few that just might get you motivated and inspired to start training now for your “Purpose”:
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day: A pink parade of walkers covering 20 miles a day for three days to help raise money to eliminate breast cancer, as you celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and provide hope for the future. This is great way to get started into an exercise program. Visit www.the3day.org to get more information and begin training ahead of time for the 2013 3-Day Walk.
The Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour: “WAM” as it is affectionately known by riders, is a three-day tour across Michigan riding to grant wishes. This is the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s single largest fundraiser, which is responsible for granting hundreds of wishes each year for Michigan children with life-threatening medical conditions. Visit www.wish.org to find out about local events in your area.
Team in Training: Team In Training has trained over a half a million runners, walkers, triathletes, cyclists and hikers and raised over $1.2 billion to fund lifesaving research. Once you sign up, you’ll be training with a huge network of certified coaches who will have weekly group runs with you and your team. You’ll even have mentors for fundraising support. Visit www.teamintraining.org for more information.
“Every morning I wake, I give thanks and praise, and then promise to live my life with purpose.”
Image by Big Stock Photo
