It can be challenging to stick to any kind of routine when you are on holidays so I was happy that the challenge I chose this year could really be done almost anywhere in almost any environment.  Now that I am home from my holiday, my 100 Day Challenge has become more of a …well…challenge!  On Day eight I did my daily walk in the Chicago airport again as I was on my way home from vacation.  Then, the reality of what I had committed to really sank in as on Day nine, I had to don my winter coat, toque, mittens and winter boots to do my walk – no more skipping out in my shorts and sandals!  Fortunately, our weather was very mild so while it was a bit of a shock to the system, it was manageable.

Day ten had me wondering how I could keep my interest in a daily walk when I didn’t have as lovely an environment as I had the first week.  How could I give my walks a more joyful focus so that I was motivated to continue?  It came to me that I could create a theme for everyday of the week – something to focus on each day to add interest and variety to my walks.  I have come up with a couple so far – Miracle Mondays and Thankful Thursdays – and I have a few more ideas but I thought I would ask you for your ideas and input.  Do you have any suggestions for daily walking themes?  Let me know by leaving a comment here and thanks for you help! 

Day 11 and 12 were uneventful but Day 13 saw me out walking in the beginning of a blizzard!  Definitely not shorts and sandals weather but I stopped in at a friend’s house along the way and had a cup of tea. Now I’m wondering how I can plan more of my routes near friend’s houses and can I plan them around lunch time…!

I hope you are having fun with your Challenge and if not, what can you do to lighten it up and make it more fun or more joyful? What about other challenges you are experiencing?  Is there a way you can make those lighter, too?  This 100 Day Challenge is a great way to see how you can apply what you learn during the 100 days to the rest of your life.  Remember, you can help me out with some suggestions for daily walking themes and if you need some ideas to add some lightness to your challenge, let me know.  I love to brainstorm! 

Joyfully,

Deb

I have to say my 100 Day Challenge started off on quite an enjoyable note!  For some reason, the beginning of the challenge often coincides with me taking a holiday and so February 5^th found me going for my first walk in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport!  Nice easy walking in a comfortable environment.  The hardest part was not stopping at the chocolate store or the popcorn kiosk that I had heard so much about!  (Don’t worry, I went back after I finished my walk!).  The next day I did my walk on board a cruise ship – three times around the upper deck was exactly 21 minutes!  Again, nice easy walking and very comfortable conditions.  To be honest, I hadn’t been looking forward to having to walk outside in our cold, winter weather so for the first week of the challenge I definitely caught a break. 

Day three of the challenge was again, a lovely stroll around the ship’s deck although I did have to adjust for the motion of the boat (something I won’t have to do now that I am back on solid ground).  Day four was a nice long walk around the village of Costa Maya and down the pier to get back on the ship.  It was in the rain but hey, I was still wearing shorts and a t-shirt!  We got lost trying to find our room on the ship so the additional two rounds on deck 8 added to our walking time!

Day five was in Cozumel and we started the day by doing the Amazing Cozumel Race!  We walked and ran for about 2 hours that morning and were definitely ready for lunch by the time the race ended!  Day six we were at sea all day making our way back to Miami but we managed to work in some walking in between listening to great bands all day!  Day seven was a nice long walk on Miami Beach!  I was definitely being spoiled by the lovely walking environments in the first week! 

How was your first week?  Did you notice any resistance to doing your 100 Day activity every day?  Feel free to comment on how your week was or comment on mine – I am excited to hear from you!

Joyfully,

Deb