If you're anything like me, you grew up active because it was fun. Granted, I was born in the early 90s, so computers were barely a thing. They took forever to turn on, make noises that sounded a lot like an early form of dubstep, and none of your friends had 'em anyways. Your friends were out in the street, walking the suburbs. You biked to your girlfriends' houses because they were just down the block.

You weren't aware that swim practice was actually a designated workout to make you perform, it was something you just did for fun. Track was where your friends were at 7 am. Then college happened, or is happening, and you ate whatever you wanted, preferably salty, and killed your immune system (and wallet) via all-nighters and Starbucks. For unexplained and unnoticed reasons to me at the time, I became more sluggish and conscious that my clothes were getting tight. It took me ages to get over the common cold, and I was catching the flu and strep nearly every season.

Well, now I'm out of college. And I gained that weight, too. Now it's time to take my body and mold it into what I want to feel, and I'm guessing that you're reading this article because you have the same idea. My goal for 2017 is to be able to run 10 miles by my birthday, and I guess we'll see if that happens.

The only problem? I hate running.

What to do if you hate running.

1. Change your mindset.

Easier said than done, as I've come to realize. Do you want to continue feeling like you currently do? Then changes are required.

2. Formulate habits.

Habits are essential to everyday life. Your basal ganglia is what allows your mind to form habits outside of your conscious memory, and it can respond to new habits like it did when you were first learning how to use a clutch. If you don't make your new running habits a priority, then your brain will continue to crave sleeping in over a good morning workout. Your old habits will always be there, but your brain can overcome those unhealthy habits. You'll still crave the donut, but you want results more. You want to sleep in, but you've got to get in 20 miles this week. Habits help with those moments of weakness. Tip: Run at the same time every week. Three times a week, at first.

3. Regulate yourself.

When you start running, the hype is everything and everywhere. Active gear starts overtaking your closet. Your food budget skyrockets because you're buying a ton of healthy food without regulation, you realize you don't like them, then you eat out. You throw down some moolah because you want better sneakers. You spend two hours at the gym because you felt so so sooo good after one yesterday.

DO NOT BUY INTO THIS. Personally, the hype is dangerous. It's good to be happy you're seeing results and feeling great, but bite off a little at a time. Shin splints and knee pain are the bane of new runners (myself included), and they will knock you off your schedule early on and kill your desire to run. Shaking up your budget, time, and your body is a lot of change. Don't overdo it, or you may burn out.

Tip: Try out the Couch to 5k running app to keep you accountable and running/walking at a comfortable pace. Also, try to stick to simple ingredients with your food. I appreciate three-ingredient meals or pre-prepared salads at Walmart or HEB.

4. Work out your core.

The first time I was ran two miles only a couple weeks after I began a running schedule made me feel like a superhero. No joke, I cried after I was done. I called my fiance, my mom, my sister–all because I was so excited. I was seeing results!

Then I got married. My new routine was so baby fresh that I stopped running completely, and after a month of no running I was back at square one. I tried going out and running those two miles, and I immediately had knee pain and shin splints by the time I got home. Just because you once could do it, doesn't mean you can. Taking significant time off will set you back.

To come back from time off, I started working out my core. I wanted the cardio, results, and the caloric deficit without hurting my legs even further–so I began implementing 10-30 minutes of strength training mixed with cardio three times a week. Sometimes, four or five depending on the level of intensity and how I was feeling. The results were incredible.

Tip: Try Class Fitsugar and Blogilates and I am TELLING YOU. Sweat will happen! They also offer plenty of healthy meals.

5. Remember: No one goes to the gym to stare at other people.

If you live in the southern part of Texas, the rain has been coming down this past week! I've been running on the treadmill in my apartment's gym. There were times (when I first started going to the gym back in college) when I would drive slowly past the gym windows because I didn't want other people to see me work out. Is there no one in the weight room? Yes! Time to go! This has also turned me off of parks that are known to more experienced runners.

That's idiotic thinking, really.

Everyone starts out at the beginning point.

At least you are out there, getting it done.

Tip: Be sure to follow gym rules, like bringing a towel, in order to not be hounded by the gym workers. Also, don't stay on one machine for ages. Be sure to switch it up in order to allow for others to use it. Courteousness goes a long way in the gym!

6. Remember why you're doing it.

Keeping up with my husband's endless amounts of energy. Being able to play the sporty games with the kids in my church's youth group. Being proud of the self-discipline it took to get even here. All of these things overshadow my desire to look better. For me, if I were merely working out to look like I did before I went to college, then I would quit. Personally, extra weight isn't something I enjoy because it can hold me back from being the excitable 24-year-old woman I am on the interior.

Figure out what it will take for you to get to where you want to go, and do it. That's what motivates me.

Tip: if you are not a self-motivator, then try group running or signing up for a 5k with a friend. Keep accountable in some way. Fitbit's daily/weekly challenges keeps me in check because I don't want my mom showing me up in daily steps. (She does, though. She does.) It also allows me to track my cardiovascular progress as I continue to dive into the world of running.

Wanna read more from the Millennials of Texas? Check out our community page here.

Follow our Facebook page for all the newest articles!