Be Consistent
Chase Squires is the first to admit that he's no fitness
expert. But he is a guy who used to weigh 205 pounds, more than was
healthy for his 5'4" frame. "In my vacation pictures in 2002, I looked
like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man at the beach," says the 42-year-old
Colorado resident. Squires decided enough was enough, cut out fatty
food, and started walking on a treadmill. The pounds came off and soon he was running
marathons -- not fast, but in the race. He ran his first 50-mile race
in October 2003 and completed his first 100-miler a year later. Since
then, he's completed several 100-mile, 50-mile, and 50k races.
His secret? "I'm not fast, but I'm consistent," says Squires, who says consistency is his best tip for maintaining a successful fitness regimen.
"It all started with 20 minutes on a treadmill," he says. "The
difference between my success and others who have struggled is that I
did it every single day. No exercise program in the world works if you don't do it consistently."