Week 2 Progress: 90-Mile September Challenge Update

Well, my first week of the September challenge is in the books, and I already have some tattling to do.

My goal is 90 intentional miles in September—an average of three miles a day. Since I started counting Tuesday, I should have logged 15 miles by Saturday.

I logged 10. So yes, I’m five miles behind.

In my defense, it was hotter than Satan’s armpit for most of the week. It was too hot for the dogs. The littles don’t handle heat well at all, and Josey doesn’t know when to quit no matter the temperature, so that changed my walking plan a little.

I got three miles outside Tuesday, but after that, most of my miles happened on the treadmill.

And I discovered something pretty quickly: I walk farther outside. If I walk a mile and a half away from home, I have to walk a mile and a half back. On the treadmill, I can just get off.

And the treadmill is boring as hell. I did walk at a 6% incline, though. Unfortunately, incline does not earn bonus miles.

The Earned Moment:

When I did walk outdoors this week, it looked a little strange to people who are used to seeing me make the same loop with my collection of dogs.

As I passed one house, a couple sitting outside hollered, “Hey! Where’s everybody else?”

I told them I was doing a 90-mile challenge for September and this walk was just for me.

“Yeah! Good job!” they yelled back. It made me laugh. I’m rarely spotted walking around town without an entourage.

My entourage has not been nearly as supportive.

Every time I get on the treadmill, Josey gives me side eye and looks at me curiously, noting that my legs seem to be working just fine. So why, exactly, aren’t we using them to go out the door? Hello?

And every hour when I stand up from my desk, the littles race to the front door thinking surely this is finally the moment.

Nope. Mom’s doing squats again. So I’ve spent the week with four tiny disappointed personal trainers and one very judgmental Lab.

I’m praying Mother Nature gives us a cold front. Not too cold—just cold enough that you’re not glistening with sweat the minute you walk outside.

Strength for Life:

One thing I did nail this week was getting off my ass every hour and away from my desk.

I set hourly alarms during my workday, but instead of an annoying beep, I gave each one a song: 9 to 5, Cherry Bomb, Dancing on My Own, Walk This Way, Choosin’ Texas and Da Doo Ron Ron.

When one goes off, I get up and do something—heel raises, squats, wall push-ups, counter planks or a dumbbell exercise for my arms.

Yes, counter planks. We’re not on the floor yet. Let’s not get carried away.

I hit every alarm Tuesday through Friday. And, there’s something particularly satisfying about 9 to 5 interrupting my actual 9-to-5 to tell me to get off my ass.

Something That Helped:

After about 30 years of trying diets, I’ve realized I’m just not someone who does diets well. What I can do is make some small changes that can make a big difference and give myself a few guidelines or guardrails.

Part of my problem is having too many choices. I’ll stand there trying to decide what I want to eat, get hungry while I’m deciding, and end up eating something I didn’t really want in the first place.

So I’m taking some of the decisions away…no more decision fatigue.

In the morning, I eat protein first—eggs, protein coffee or a smoothie. I’ve noticed when I start my day that way, I usually don’t think much about food again until later in the afternoon.

I’ve also made it a guideline that the kitchen closes at 7:00pm…sometimes earlier. Once it’s closed, it’s closed. No standing in front of the refrigerator at 9 p.m. looking for something I didn’t need at 6:59pm.

I’m also skipping the cheeseburgers, fries and other takeout I’d gotten into the habit of grabbing a few times a week with everything going on this past 8 months. It’s easy, but it’s not doing me any favors in the long run.

And while I’m not giving up sweets, I am trying to make better decisions about them. Sugar doesn’t need to be included in every meal or snack.

Our family has the baking gene. So instead of buying candy, cookies and pastries, if I want a treat, I make it myself. This way, I know what the ingredients are, and I can pronounce all of them.

Turns out I have to want a cookie pretty bad if I’m going to pull out the mixer and turn on the oven.

Ice cream remains exempt. Fortunately, the ice cream shop closes for the season after this weekend, so that’s working in my favor.

None of this is a diet. It’s really just taking some of the decisions out of my day and changing a few habits that weren’t doing me much good, and it’s a lifestyle I can live with for the rest of my life.

The Scoreboard:

Miles this week: 10

September total: 10 of 90

Miles remaining: 80

Hourly movement breaks: 4 workdays

Disappointed personal trainers: 4

Judgmental yellow Labs: 1

Looking Ahead…

With 80 miles and 25 days left, I need to average about 3.2 miles a day.

I’m hoping to get back outside. Being outdoors does something for me that the treadmill doesn’t. I let go of some stress, notice things, and get ideas for things I want to write about. I just feel better out there—mentally, physically and spiritually.

Week 1 wasn’t perfect. I’m five miles behind, but I walked 10 miles, got off my ass every hour during the workday, added some strength work and made a few changes that actually feel doable.

I’ll take it!

Anyone else trying to make some changes for the future? How did you do this week? Did you hit a goal you set for yourself, make a change, try something new, or do you have some tattling you want to get off your chest?

The only one judging you will be Josey!