30 Day Walk-One-Mile challenge.
Pain levels for this past month have been negligible. Sometimes, at the end of a day or after a brisk, lengthy walk my hips are screaming, "sit down!" But, most days - pain free.
It has been so long.
Being pain free.
I can only say - Thank you, God, for your mercy.
I cannot not go another day without doing something about the circumstances that arose from my lengthy life of in pain thus limited movement. That would be the numbers on the scale that arose.
I decided a thirty day challenge to myself to walk 1 mile a day. While I've mostly believed the old adage that 21 days makes a habit, and while I have had success with this, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work. That first 10 days are brutal. It takes everything I have to keep at it and not quit. And, boy it's like an attack; one thing after another to try and stop me from succeeding. If I get over the 10-day hump, the next 10 days are in no means attack-free, but this is the make it or break it period. Because at the end of it the finish line is in sight. Just 10 more days and a habit is solidified. So, 30 days it is.
Here's what I'm doing:
Pre-measured distances. While my phone logs my steps and gives me a distance, my plan is to walk 1 mile of pre-measured distance. For instance, I know because I've measured it, that a walk around the perimeter of the parking lot at work is 1/4 mile, and it is 1/2 mile from my house to the front of the addition, or one mile from my house to 204.
Anything else my phone says I've walked is gravy. Measured miles only.
Logging my miles. I'm logging them on a 30 (31) day calendar and I'm sharing my progress here.
Starting small. I want to do more but one single change at a time isn't overwhelming, seems doable, and seems more likely that I will succeed. Leo Babauta from Zen Habits says, "Start small. Keep the habit very small. As small as possible, until it becomes your new “normal”.
Finally, I'm praying. A healthy reminder this Sunday's sermon from our pastor, Cam is that "I have not, because I do not ask" (James 4:2, paraphrased). So, I'm asking God to give me this success. I believe a healthy body is the will of God.
Here's what you can do:
Pray for me. The fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16, paraphrased)
Hold me accountable. If you think about, send me a reminder with at text or email, or post a comment to this post: Did you walk today, Susan?
I'm thanking you in advance for holding me accountable.