Making Your Challenge More Fun! (week 2 of the 100 Day Challenge)
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 been struggling a bit with my challenge too. There was some insidious creeping going on, slipping in a few minutes of work into my me time. On Wednesday I was given the idea of using this time to take an 8 week (daily) mindfulness course. It’s 45 mins and, in all honesty, I wouldn’t normally give myself that time to do that sort of exercise. So I’m going to try it. I’ve been stumped on what to do with all this me-time. This might well lighten the stress of needing a plan!
Hello,
There were a couple of days where I felt I could not exercise. But then I told myself even if I do just 10 minutes that would be good. That is all it takes, plus of course music to get me going and keep me going.
When I walk outside I like to pay attention to what’s going on around me and listen to the sounds.
Daria, it can take a while to get used to something so new – the more you practice the easier it will get and won’t feel as stressed about using your “me time.”
Marilyn – great strategy to use on those days when you don’t quite feel up to the challenge. Even doing a smaller portion of the challenge will uphold your commitment to yourself and will strenthen your trust in yourself! Way to go!
Deb