This topic contains 8 replies, has 8 voices, and was last updated by 
Daisy 5 months, 1 week ago.
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Today we’re going to keep up with yesterday’s challenge by drinking a glass of water before we drink any other beverage. It’s a super-easy habit that we’re going to build on.
The goal with this challenge, as I mentioned, is to create better habits that support our goals. It’s not about getting rid of every bad habit in one day. It’s about adding good habits in a way that is simple and time-efficient.
How much do you move in a day?
A lot of us overestimate how active we really are. Particularly if we have sedentary jobs we probably aren’t moving our bodies the recommended hour per day.
If you’re just starting out, an hour probably sounds pretty overwhelming. Don’t let this scare you – if you are sedentary, this is a goal, not a starting point.
Today’s challenge? What I want you to do today is track your regular movement. (You don’t need to go out and buy an expensive pedometer for this. Remember those phone apps I recommended on Day One?)
You need to see what your starting point is before you can make plans to improve this. Be sure to document your steps in an average day. Write this down with your other fitness starting points.
My own starting point
As a person who sits on her butt typing on a keyboard most of the day, adding movement has been a real challenge for me. At the age of 50, the weekend warrior stuff just leaves me aching and in pain for an entire week, so it’s important to make movement a daily thing.
This has become far easier for me now that I am gallivanting through Europe without a car. I carry home my groceries so I end up going to the store almost every day.
That sounds wonderfully athletic, like I’m super-fit. But if you had asked me to do this 6 months ago, it would have been impossible. Before I left on this journey, my joints hurt all the time. My back hurt if I carried things. I wasn’t in shape because I was in constant pain. In fact, I had some serious misgivings about heading off to explore the world in the shape I was in, but I decided to go for it and modify my activities based on what I could handle.
I started out huffing and puffing up and down the hills of Athens, Greece. But the option was to move or starve – I had to get food. So I began my “hunting and gathering” trips, as I like to call them, starting with a bakery and a juice shop around the corner from my apartment there. The return trip had a small hill that left me winded.
However, within two weeks, that small hill was less of a problem. I began going further afield. I walked all over Athens and just took a cab back when I went too far to get home under my own steam. I didn’t kill myself. I just went a little, tiny bit further each day. I took an occasional day off for rest but most days I went exploring.
We’ll talk about this more tomorrow.
For now, how many steps do you take in a day?
How much are you moving your body? This is an important starting point metric, so take the time to track it today.
Use a free app for your phone, a Fitbit, or some other tracking method to figure this out. Don’t just guess – you’re probably shockingly inaccurate. I know I certainly was.
You can share your steps here for accountability or keep it private in your notebook.
And wherever you are? Don’t be discouraged. Remember, this is your starting point. It’s only your ending point if you drop out of the challenge.
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Around Christmas, I started using my Fitbit. During that time period, I am averaging about 8,000 steps per day. Yesterday, I logged my 10,000 steps.
With all the travel, food and parties; the Fitbit served as a good reminder to keep going and making that 10,000 steps per day and not sitting too long (keeping active at least 9 hours per day).
I am on day two of the water. I am going to start logging my water intake to see how much water I am drinking every day.
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Dont have a Fitbit so not sure how much I do.
Out to the barn at least 4 times a day (food and water).
The dogs get their daily walk, about a mile, but at their pace. That is generally slow as there are things to sniff!
Up and down the stairs to check the fire or wood work. -
I also have a fitbit but have not worn it in a few months. Been so busy that i am sure running back and forth like I do, I am getting in at least 7 or 8 thousand steps a day. I do know I used to get a lot more but not been able to get out and walk the neighborhood like I would like these days. We mostly drink water on a daily basis. Going to try to keep up on challeges as time will let me. Will have to get my fitbit back out and start wearing it again. Great reminder.
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I have had a polar for about a year. I used it for biking and walking. I got an upgraded one for Christmas that I can wear all day and it let’s me know if I have been active enough. Yesterday I met my goal but man am I tired 🙂 I haven’t met the daily goal yet today but it’s still early!. I have no problem meeting the goal when I ride my bike but rain has kept me in today.
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Pulled out my trusty pedometer…can’t wear electronics into work, so old school will need to do. You’re right Daisy, fewer steps than I expected, but awareness is the first step in change!
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Not far today about 1 km but had to shovel 12 inches of wet snow big enough to drag food to critters…… the cat was not happy was wet angry kitty….. put her inside office to warm up and dry off.
Cardio is don’t for today had to change clothes from sweating so much… then off in the blower and plow truck …..
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Ugh, Namelus. A foot of snow is such a chore! That counts as cardio AND plain ole steps. Wet snow multiplies by 10! This year, it’s official: I hate snow! [roll eyes]
For a while now I’ve been thinking that I need a pedometer. Didn’t used to need it – knew I ran around a LOT. Now…not so much. Have no cell phone or any other electronic devices mentioned. I should see if my next generations have any they aren’t using. They upgrade a lot.
Today was an exceptionally active day with running over to the next village….by “run” I mean vehicle. Played ridiculous ‘keystone cops’ routine at gas station. {roll eyes} TRYING to get the stupid Fed-Compliant caps off the gas containers when the plastic is NOT bending in our frigid weather! Trying to find slip-lock pliers in my truck. [now on the list to get some in there!] GRRRRR!
Took dog for walk down road….six-tenths of a mile. I logged in with a vehicle, all the Tenths of Mile along our road so I know that one is fairly accurate.
Got in and out of tall truck [I’m short] MANY times…both the seat and the truck bed. Climbed up and down our 15 stairs……maybe 4 times? Laundry is down there.
Whenever I talk on the phone, I pace. Something about being kinesthetic. I simply think better if my body is in motion. So I log in a lot of steps if I’m on the phone with a long-distance friend for a couple hours. I do sit for a bit to rest but unintentionally, I find myself pacing again. But now I’m curious as to how many steps. Dunno.
OldMtWoman….finally got enough sleep last nite/morning!
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I walk everywhere. As most of you know, I’m traveling in Europe right now, and I don’t have a car (deliberately).
I realized when writing up today’s challenge that I have only been in a car twice in the past 8 weeks. I took a car service from Macedonia to Montenegro and a friendly neighbor offered me a ride home from the grocery store the other day during a storm. Every other place I’ve gone has been on foot. Where I am now is extremely steep and hilly and this has been great for building endurance, especially when I have a backpack full of groceries.
You guys are rocking it!
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