Get Fit for Freedom
Photo Credit: Cataaxo
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the U.S., so we kick off each year with our World Race for Hope 5k in Troy, and our Virtual Race for Hope that can be done anywhere, to bring awareness to the issue, and to encourage people to start the new year on the right foot. This year, we are taking this annual campaign a step further.
Photo Credit: Drty Runner, https://drtyrunner.com/.
The premise of Free To Run from the beginning was that everybody could do something to help in the fight against human trafficking. Our passion was running, hence, where our name came from. You may have other talents that can be used to raise awareness. Whatever you’re passionate about, you can share that passion with your friends, family, and social network, and in the process educate and empower others to get involved in social and human rights issues.
Resolve to Make Change and Make a Difference in the New Year
Going into a new year, many people set goals and resolve to (insert important life goal here). These are usually well-intentioned goals, but goals without passion and purpose will usually be forgotten once January is over. Improved fitness is one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. If your goal is to be more physically fit, you can do more running, walking, biking, strength training, hiking, mountain climbing, yoga, and so on. Being Fit for Freedom is about more than physical fitness. It’s focusing on the self-care needed to be able to stand up to injustice. It is the combination of physical fitness, emotional fitness, mental and spiritual health, and practicing empathy and understanding.
How To Become Fit for Freedom
We invite you to join Free To Run Foundation during the month of January 2020 to focus on activities to improve your fitness - physical, mental & spiritual, but also to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to see how far you can go. Here are some suggestions for different activities you can explore during January, hopefully creating new habits that will continue throughout the year.
Physical
Running/Walking - set a mileage goal for January, and dedicate those miles to the people in slavery in the world today (estimated 40.3 million), or to the number of people living outside the Rule of Law (4 billion). How many 5k runs can you do in the month? If you want to do organized 5k events, check out your local running store or Google for races near you. You can also sign up for our Virtual Race and do at least one 5k for the cause to end human trafficking: https://runsignup.com/virtualraceforhope. Don’t forget to take a picture during or after your virtual race and share it with us!
Biking/Spinning - maybe you received a stationary bike as a present, and you are about to embark on your fitness journey. Biking and spinning can be great and satisfying workouts. While you’re suffering through a particularly intense workout, think about the suffering being endured by millions around the world.
Yoga - try out a local studio, or if you’d rather attempt yoga in the comfort of your own home, try an app like Down Dog. There is a free version, and it has beginner/novice practices. Adding yoga to your routine can help you improve in your other fitness activities.
Plank-a-day - set a goal to reach by the end of January. Can only hold a plank for a minute now? If you do a plank every day, you might be surprised how long you’ll be able to hold it by the end of the month.
Mental/Spiritual/Emotional
Photo Credit: Cataaxo
Bible Study - find a bible study, or other small group meetings offered in your religion, and try to go deeper in your faith. In our hometown of Troy, Ohio, the First United Methodist Church is offering a 3 week bible study on Social Justice starting on January 9th.
Prayer - whatever your religion or spiritual beliefs, dedicate some time praying and thinking about human trafficking, praying for victims/survivors, and asking what you can do to make a difference.
Meditation - there are numerous health benefits of mindfulness meditation. If you don’t know where to begin, there are several well-regarded apps that have free, trial versions that will give you some exposure and practice with meditation. Try Calm, Headspace, or Simple Habit.
Dry January - need to get more sleep, cut your calorie intake, and have more energy for your workouts? Give up alcohol for at least a period of time. The Dry January challenge, going the month without drinking alcohol, has increased in popularity over the last few years, with millions of people participating. TryDry is an app from the UK-based organization Alcohol Change UK, and it provides a handy way to track your dry days, including savings from not drinking.
Empathy & Cultural Understanding
If you are already a member of the social justice/abolitionist movement, you may not think of needing to work on empathy or cultural understanding. Yet, there is always something to learn about individuals or cultures that you’ve had limited experience with. Learning and practicing empathy is a prerequisite for fighting for justice. Learning the stories of others that have had different life experiences and connecting on a new level will open your eyes and your heart even more.
Read - if you’re new to the fight to end modern day slavery, there are great books on the topic that educate you. One of our favorites is A Crime So Monstrous, by Benjamin Skinner. In today’s divisive culture (not just in the US) people are so entrenched in their views, it’s hard to see the standpoint of others. Check out Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance for an empathetic look at poor, White Americans.
Learn a new language - definitely a good workout for your brain! Duolingo is a great app, and it only takes a few minutes each day.
Travel - put that new language to use and see the world (not necessarily in January, but you can start planning.) There are group travel companies that incorporate impactful experiences and focus on socially responsible tourism. The desire to volunteer during your travels may be well-intentioned, by try to avoid the “voluntourism” trap. Look for activities that will provide meaningful benefits and opportunities to the local population. Free To Run Foundation is planning another trip to Jacó, Costa Rica later this year to work with Casafé, and possibly a trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build a house with Homes of Hope.
Do you have other suggestions for activities to help you become Fit for Freedom? Let us know how you did this month, and throughout the rest of the year. You are not alone. We are in this fight together, until all are free.