The September Challenge

Happy September 1!  It’s that time of year – fall weather full of beautiful changing leaves, cool mornings and football!  Although it’s a little hard to imagine fall since it’s still mid 90s and humid (in Iowa).  I’m sure it will arrive soon enough and I want to take advantage of it as much as possible.

I’ve decided I must be some type of challenge junkie.  I’m always thinking about the next possible adventure, whether it’s work or play, and sometimes I seem to jump from one thing to the next.  I’ve learned along the way that usually when I expand upon a challenge, instead of coming up with something completely new and totally out of left field, I tend to keep with it :).

In the midst of my half marathon challenge, I’ve decided to try and tackle another very small one.  Maybe surprisingly to some, I don’t always work out every day.  Sometimes I’m too tired, sore or busy to work out.  I make the same excuses as everyone else.  I’ve found though that if I at least make time for walking, I tend to feel better and less sore throughout the week.  I’ve been mixing in a few more things into my routine and trying to work in two workouts a day (typically one easier and one more intense) a few times a week.

My September challenge is to do something every day this month.  I plan to switch it up from running, walking, biking, kayaking and strength training.  Maybe I’ll even find a few new things to try along the way.  There are several reasons I want to be active each day.  First, while I do typically work out most days, lately I’ve been trying to do something each day and I feel a positive difference.  I’ve also noticed that if I walk right before or after a meal, I just feel better.

Second, I want to take advantage of the nice (hopefully!) weather and build up the habit so that I try and stick with a routine once winter weather hits.  I tend to start sitting on the couch more as the temps cool off and it gets darker earlier.  I want to have that immediate recollection of how good it feels to move around each day.

Finally, I think it’s good to challenge yourself.  Things get tough sometimes and if you already have a goal outlined, you have built in reasons to keep pushing yourself.  I’m already thinking about big goals for 2014 and I need to take one step at a time to get there.  Practicing discipline is good; I’ll need that.

What goals can you set for yourself right now today?  Maybe working out every day is just too much for you right now and you need to start with something different.  Or maybe you’re already working out every day and it’s time to push the intensity.  Remember that I’m not you and you’re not anyone else, so set goals that reflect you and what you want to achieve.  I challenge you to at least think about your health and if there is anything you’d like to be doing differently for it!  Good luck!

Miss FitGab