Six months ago, if you’d have asked me if I was into running, I would’ve burst out laughing and exclaimed, “Only if a bee is chasing me!” I was a dancer for 15 years, so my idea of "fun" exercise is a high-intensity barre or jazz class. The idea of slugging away on a treadmill in a gym sounds like torture to me. I was forced to run laps in gym class like every other high school kid and it was the absolute bane of my existence.

Since I'm well into my mid-twenties, I recently decided it was time to start a regular fitness regimen again. It had been years since I stuck with a proper workout routine - I love my Netflix marathons in my bed - and with my family’s history of heart disease, I know my years of pizza and cupcakes are going to catch up with me someday. I tend to be on a budget, so the idea of paying around $25 a session for a barre class – or even $40 a month for a gym membership – is off-putting. So it was with much reluctance that I decided to try running.

To my extreme surprise, I didn't collapse in the street during my first run. In fact, it actually felt kind of good. So I stuck with the next workout in the plan, then the next. Now I go running on an average of two to three times a week, and I still don't hate it. I actually kind of look forward to it. I most definitely would have continued to hate running if it weren't for the following:

1. A reason for running in the first place

Do you want to lose weight, or just get into fitness? Have you always secretly dreamed of running a specific race, like one of the many RunDisney events? Maybe you just want to get your stress level down. As I mentioned, I wanted to get healthier, and I also wanted to help manage my stress. Someday I would love to run through Cinderella Castle in the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World (though that goal is still far away for me). Whatever your reasons, it’s never too late to start, and you’re more likely to keep at if you identify and write down your goals.

2. A running partner

Above all, it doesn’t matter what kind of fancy gear I own – unless I have someone next to me to encourage me as I run, I will quit long before I'm supposed to. This isn’t necessarily because I am a “quitter,” but because when it comes to exercise I tend to be motivated and confident when I have someone with me. It turns out I’m not alone. Having someone say "Just five more minutes! We got this!" does wonders. Plus, it helps having someone there to chat with during the slower parts of the workout and is a great time to nurture friendships.

3. Quality shoes

This one goes without saying. By the way, the right running shoes for you don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but they do need to be high quality since they are an investment meant to last many miles. Mine are lightweight and so comfortable, with little air pockets in the sole of the shoe to minimize shock on the joints. The soles also happen to pink, which makes me look forward to putting them on.

4. Comfortable clothes

I’m all about working out on a budget, so I don’t believe that you need to go out and purchase a lot of expensive, name-brand exercise clothes before you start a workout plan. Find whatever works for you: T-shirts and comfortable leggings do just fine. I have a couple tank tops that are specially designed for working out from the sports section at Target that I enjoy wearing while running - and yes, they are pink, to match my shoes.

5. The right schedule

I am not, nor will I probably ever be, an elite, competitive runner. Therefore, to avoid injury and stressing out my body, I run at most every other day (when I have time) or at least two days a week. More serious runners can stand to run daily but professionals recommend building up to this. As with any exercise regimen, it’s important to start slowly and steadily and build up from there to avoid injury and mental burnout.

6. A great app

When I first tried running years ago, I owned Nike+ shoes with a sensor inside that synced to my iPod to track my workouts. I spent more money than I should have, and didn't even stick with the workout plan because I was doing it alone. Thankfully, technology has evolved since that time. There are many apps out there that are great for beginners and experienced runners alike. Nike+ is free and offers different workout plans that tell you when to work out and how to set your pace. Runkeeper is $40/year and does the same thing, with the bonus of having a voice-over that literally tells you when to walk (slow) and when to run (steady).

7. Some kind of noise

Whether you listen to rap, country, or rock, music is a great motivator during a workout. I have a running playlist on my iPhone that energizes me every single time (thank you, Taylor Swift and Paramore). I know women who listen to e-books or podcasts as they run. I also know people who run to nothing more than the sounds of their neighborhood. Find something that makes you look forward to sweating it out.

8. Proper diet and hydration

I definitely notice a difference in the way my body performs based on what I eat. If I eat something fried or greasy the day before I run, my body works harder the next day and I’m likely to develop a cramp in my abs towards the end. To do my best, I like to eat a little something, like banana or a piece of toast, before running, and I drink about two cups of water. After running, I like to make a smoothie with frozen strawberries, a banana, chocolate protein powder, and spinach – and of course drink plenty of water.

9. Safety

Be smart about the time of day and area in which you run. I’m fortunate enough to live in a beautiful, safe neighborhood where I feel comfortable running with my earbuds in my ears. I tend to run in the middle of the day, and I would not go running at night without a partner. If you do decide to run at night, be sure to wear reflective tape on your clothing. When running during the day, no matter the time of year, don't forget sunscreen -- even if you'll only be outside for 20 minutes.

10. Journaling

I find it helpful to track my workouts and what I eat during the week to keep myself on track. Sometimes I do this the old fashioned way, in a notebook; sometimes, I use apps like MyFitnessPal. Whichever way works for you, it’s an amazing motivator to literally watch your progress and see how far you’ve come since that first workout!

11. A sense of community

For years I've followed RunDisney fans on Twitter, and I've always enjoyed seeing the sense of camaraderie there. Now that I'm into running myself, I will occasionally post my stats on social media as well and I never fail to get positive, uplifting remarks from the community. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, seeing encouragement on social media or listening to like-minded podcasts acts as wonderful positive reinforcement to keep going!

If I could start loving running, anyone can! Who knows, maybe someday I will wear that tutu and cross that Princess Half finish line. With some encouragement, I know that anyone who secretly wishes they didn't hate running can also embrace the sound of sneakers on pavement.