I have hit the 100-day mark of my daily exercise challenge and I am geeked. At this point, I can safely say that daily exercise has become a habit.
Not a habit that is on autopilot, but definitely a habit that I expect to check off my list every day.
The first thirty days felt good, and I felt quite motivated.
Getting to day sixty was more of a challenge, consequently, there were some seriously late-night workouts.
I was excited to push to day ninety, and I am very proud of myself today, at day 108.
Progress
Social distancing forced me to choose new metrics for progress as I could no longer go by strength gains. Now my goals are more performance-based, which I think is better for my mental health.
Small Wins
For my first win, I count the fact that I have not let being at home derail this exercise challenge. By learning the Ashtanga primary series and recapturing my runner’s legs, I have been able to remain committed to daily fitness.
One of my bigger achievements is becoming a regular runner again. At this point, I am running every day to complete the 2020 Runners World Run Streak Challenge.
Lastly, my Ashtanga yoga practice now has a flow, and I have no memory lapses when moving through to Dandasana.
When I began the Ashtanga practice, I had very little flexibility and such poor core strength that the balancing postures were a complete no go.
Now, I am jumping back in Vinyasas and I usually make it through the balancing postures without falling out.
I am getting stronger and losing weight!
Also, working with the equipment we have at home, I am making strength gains. I especially enjoy how weight lifting tones my muscles to shape my physique in a way I find aesthetically pleasing.
My body is remaining soft, yet my skin is becoming more firm. I am still chasing the look of my body in my goals photo, but I am willing to wait for that result to occur over time.
Lessons Learned
There is so much I could write about what I have learned about myself and fitness over these 100 days. However, the following lessons are the most helpful to me at this point in my journey:
- Mornings are best: I am a morning person, and when I begin my day with fitness I eat better for the remainder of the day. Plus, I don’t make excuses to put off my workout because my mind is not yet present enough to do so.
- Accountability is a must: Though I am not making videos or regular blog posts on this challenge, I am posting daily on Instagram to keep myself accountable. I find the idea of missing a day in my count displeasing enough to want to exercise. Also, the few people I follow help keep me motivated to get my workout in every day.
- Stretching is key: I am at the point in this journey where I could end up with an overuse injury. However, I avoid that by taking it easy when I feel my body needs to rest and stretching every evening. Several weeks ago, I began a 10 minute night time stretch routine focused on the muscles I work that day. That stretching helps my body recover for the next workout and helps me sleep better as well.
- Food and water is fuel: It has become very routine for me to drink at least 100 ounces of water a day. When I do not meet that goal, my muscles feel more fatigued and my runs aren’t as strong. Also, what I eat the day before my workout truly does affect the amount of energy I have for my workout. If I do not eat enough food, I struggle and if I eat junk or drink alcohol, I struggle.
- I thrive on routine: My motivation is nothing without a routine to follow. If I have a program or challenge to complete, I can find the motivation to keep going until I hit that end result. Understanding that about myself means that I am using workout programs, participating in running challenges, and tracking my progress to push myself.
What’s next for this daily exercise challenge?
I continue this exercise challenge with less expectation and more curiosity about the outcome. Next week I will finish the Stephanie Buttermore At-Home program, then I will take a deload week before beginning her Women’s Specialization program.
The Runners World Run Streak challenge continues until July 4th and then I will go back to running every other day before starting a new personal running challenge in August.
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