1. Steps update!
Since I wrote this post last week (on July 10th) bemoaning my recent lack of steps and activity, I’m happy to report that I’ve moderately upped my steps, overall. I have not done any strict challenge or even really paid too much attention to them, but I’ve just been mindful.
Here’s my recent tally:
- 7/11= 10,060
- 7/12= 9,644
- 7/13= 9,992
- 7/14= 4,667
- 7/15= 4,307
- 7/16= 11,273
- 7/17= 7,487
Ok, those couple 4,000s aren’t good, but I’m pretty sure at least one of those days my watch died and I didn’t get an accurate total.
I realize these numbers are not “impressive” and are probably crap for my runner readers who probably run 9,000 steps during their warmup.
But I said I wanted to start with aiming for at least 7,000 steps (it’s best to start out with a reasonable increase, because consistently hitting 7,000 steps daily is still way better than only occasionally hitting 10,000+ and the rest of the days only hitting 4,000….).
Typical walks are some combination of:
- ~20-25 minutes with Charlie in the morning
- to gym (~8-9 minutes)
- home from gym (~8-9 minutes)
- evening walk with Charlie (the “long route”= 25-30 minute)
- or the “shorter route” = 15-20 minutes (to the garbage can in the park to throw away poop bag…lol! and back home).
Occasionally I’ll do a midday walk to the gas station with the boys for an iced tea and/or treat for them.
I really love at least hitting one solid morning walk and one solid evening walk!! I just wish we could have nice walkable weather all year. It crossed my mind the other evening how in just a few months at 8 pm it will be dark and cold and that time…
2. Stoic advice
I read a snippet in the Daily Stoic newsletter the other day that I really loved.
He was talking about stress and anxiety and how humans seem to be wired to be stressed. Specifically, he talked about the human nature to “catastrophize”, or always take our worries to that next level.
In his example, he says how we might think that if we don’t perform well on a presentation, then we won’t get the promotion we want. If we have a little cough or feel tired, we might assume or worry that we’re getting sick.
He says that Marcus Aurelius’ advice to himself was always to “stick with the first impression, adding no commentary of your own from within.”
I really like this idea!
As he states, “A cough can just be a cough. The subpar presentation can just be a single data point.”
We don’t always have to let our brain go on to that next step.
In his conclusion, he says, “Resist the impulse to add judgment or speculation on top of what you’re dealing with.”
Very wise. I am definitely guilty of doing this, going down the rabbit hole. (Well what if this happens and then if this happens then that could happen and if that happens then……etc. etc.)
Anyway, this inspired me and just wanted to share. 🙂
Daily Gratitude:
I am grateful for a really beautiful day today. (Even though I was mostly inside in my basement office… I did squeeze in a lunch time workout + walked to/from gym, so that was great.)
GRATEFUL KAE 
Shhhh! Don’t even talk about those early sunsets/long hours of darkness! I love these long hours of daylight. It is so nice to be able to go for a walk with the boys after dinner. The days are so much more enjoyable!!
Good job on increasing your steps!! Picking a reasonable goal is a great idea so it’s more achievable and you won’t get defeated quickly. My step counts are definitely higher when I am in the office as we have the walk to and from the parking garage and it’s a longer walk to the bathroom, etc, and it all adds up. I still don’t quite hit 10k on those days necessarily but I get more steps than I would if I was WFH. But on my WFH days I tend to run so that makes up for my lack of activity during the work day.
My brain also likes to jump to conclusions rather than just letting a data point be just that. I hate surprises so I am always trying anticipate what might happen next but then I needlessly worry over things that likely won’t even happen!!
LikeLike
I know, I shouldn’t even talk about it yet!!! I will admit that I had a sudden thought today though of, ooh, we’re kind of coming up on my favorite part of the year already! And had a little flash-forward to fall and football games and the crisp air and all of that. Though I am NOT ready yet- I feel like with our big trip at the beginning of June, this summer has felt very short so far. Like those first couple of weeks somehow didn’t “count”. Also, with the boys at different schools again next year, that makes it weird as well. Ethan goes back August 14th! So just 3 1/2 weeks already. It’s crazy. But then Asher doesn’t go back until around Labor Day. (although he has high school volleyball stuff starting up already now and picking up mid-August, so I think summer will start to feel like it’s winding down sooner than later around here.)
LikeLike
Uh yeah if I could resist adding commentary to all of my life situations I would be better off.
My step count dropped A LOT when I stopped running, and then this winter it EXPLODED from the combo of the hiking challenge and getting Doggo. She doesn’t walk very far, but she still puts in a lot of steps out in the yard.
LikeLike
I feel like my steps SHOULD be higher considering that I usually walk Charlie at least once, more often twice, a day! But I guess we just don’t go that far/ that fast maybe….
LikeLike
I tend to catastrophize small life events too…. I guess it’s human nature to always think something worst will happen? I often remind myself that even the worst case is not a real crisis.
good job with the walk. If I don’t run, my steps are really low, although I would love to have peaceful and lovely scene to walk around. It’s too hot in Jakarta to walk outside after 9am.
LikeLike
I definitely noticed whenever I would run this year my steps were crazy high compared to a non-running day. Unfortunately, I haven’t really stuck with running so I guess I can’t count on that to up my steps. 😅
LikeLike
Ooh- stick to your first impression, adding no commentary of your own from within. If we could all do this, imagine how much happier we would be! I’m definitely the type of person (and maybe we all do this) who will let my mind run away with things- if I cough, before long I’m imagining lung cancer, will I have to have chemo, etc. I’m going to make “stick to your first impression” my mantra from now on.
Nice job on the step count! I just listened to the latest episode of Girl Next Door podcast, where Erica mentions a “walking pad,” which I had never heard of before. It’s like a more simple and minimal version of a treadmill- she said they’re not expensive and you can just slide it under a bed or something when you’re not using it. She’s been using it while watching TV to get more steps in. Personally it sounds really boring to me, but it might be something for you to consider in the winter? (Erica lives in Arizona where it’s 110 every day right now, so it’s kind of like “winter” for her right now.)
LikeLike
I am so intrigued by walking pads/ desks and really want to look into that!!! I have heard about those lately from multiple sources. My particular desk set up I’m not sure is that well suited to it, but I feel like it might be worth trying to figure something out!! It would make a huge difference to even be able to do that for parts of the day.
LikeLike
I love starting the morning with a walk with Hannah. It’s just such a true delight. Sure, she meanders and stops to sniff and chew sticks, but it’s truly a lovely way to start the morning. On the rare occasions when we don’t walk or don’t do our usual half hour, I can tell all day that something is off! I think shooting for a morning and an evening walk is so smart!
LikeLike
Yes, it really is delightful! Now and then I’ll feel a little lazy or wish I maybe didn’t have to take him out to walk, but I’m always so glad once I’m out there. It’s especially wonderful now with the good weather. This morning was just gorgeous!!! Only in the 60s and sunny and just so pleasant.
LikeLike
Ohhh yes, Ryan Holiday…He took Marcus Aurelius’ material and wrote a book using it. After I started reading, I was like, wait a minute, this is not original… Now he has a 1.5 M podcast interpreting ancient stoics. Why didn’t I think of that? LOL I’m jus’ jealous
LikeLike
Great job on upping the step count. You know I have low step days sometimes but then I think “but you did miles on the bike or you worked on strength” and that counts too! I definitely can’t hit 10,000 every day (esp not on non-running days!).
LikeLike