I still walk 20,000 steps every day. But, it feels different now.
I love promoting the amazing benefits of walking. I’m healthier because of all my steps. I think more clearly and creatively. And, I’m in a better mood when I’m walking. These benefits have research behind them and I’m all about encouraging others to move more and see if they don’t enjoy these benefits too.
And, while these are all real and great reasons to walk, I wonder if walking, for me, has become a means to an end. Don’t misunderstand…walking is a good “means” and those benefits are a good “end”. I will always believe that.
But, right now I don’t think I really care about that.
I live in the Maryland suburbs. Lots of stuff is closed as we practice social distancing. What remains open, at least for the time being, are the wide and quiet streets in our neighborhood.
Life feels weird. It is weird. And, it probably will stay this way for a while.
The plans and projects that so often compete for space in my brain feel less relevant right now. Walks were often about thinking through all of this, gaining clarity, and planning for what’s coming up. I enjoy all of that…but, not right now. I love listening to podcasts while I walk, but my interest for those is also less at the moment.
Yesterday I was walking outside when I saw a large bush or tree with flowers. Obviously, horticulture is not my super-power. The sky was blue and the air had more than a hint of spring. I stopped and for a moment the weirdness of life disappeared.
I don’t know how long I stood there, but as I walked away I noticed other trees and bushes with flowers. The clouds hanging in the sky were the cute, white, puffy kind. I don’t know what they’re called either. But, it doesn’t matter.
I’m pretty sure I was smiling when I finished walking. Actually, I didn’t want to stop, but responsibilities were calling my name.
The day will come again when walking is time for me to think, plan, and strategize. There will be a day, hopefully soon, when listening to a podcast is something I look forward to.
But, today is not that day.
My daily Fitbit goal of 20,000 steps remains even though life has changed dramatically. But, it’s no longer a thing to simply complete on my to-do list or an opportunity to multi-task.
Instead, it’s an invitation to take a walk and reconnect with joy. Even, if just for a moment.
MOVING FORWARD
If you find yourself walking more these days and you’ve been wanting to restart a journey towards fitness I recommend The 30 Day Fitness Challenge.
The 30 Day Fitness Challenge will guide you through setting the perfect Fitbit goal for you. Perfect means, not too big to fail, but not too small to be meaningless. The perfect Fitbit goal is one that pushes you a couple days a week.
The 30 Day Fitness Challenge also includes a contract you can make with yourself. That might sound cheesy, but it’s often the fitness promises we make with ourselves that we don’t keep. The contract may help change that for you.
We often make fitness about reaching one big goal way in the future. That can be discouraging. The 30 Day Fitness Challenge makes every day you reach your Fitbit goal a WIN! There’s a Win Tracker included to celebrate your daily victories and chart your progress.
If you don’t have a Fitbit I recommend the Fitbit Inspire HR. This is the Fitbit I use to track my 20,000 steps a day. The Inspire HR also tracks your heart rate and sleep so you get an even wider picture of your fitness progress.
(By the way…if you use the link above to but a Fitbit Inspire HR this blog will receive a small commission. It won’t add anything to what you pay, but letting you know is the right thing to do)
Lastly, this blog is designed to help you embrace walking as a fitness activity. It’s sustainable, flexible, effective, and fun. Every week I post new articles with stories and helpful suggestions to Win at Fitness.
If you click FOLLOW (below on your phone…to the right and above on your computer) you’ll receive an email with a link to each new blog post.