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Holiday Hustle and A Little Bit Every Day

 

    Last month, I experimented with doing the Seven-ish Minute Workout every day for a month. I completed this exercise every day; even on the days that were most full or I didn't feel like exercising, seven minutes always felt doable enough that I didn't want to break the streak. 
    After a while, a funny thing happened. I began to feel more active in other parts of the day. We spontaneously decided to take a hike one afternoon, and it was easy to climb the steeper portions. I found myself more motivated to take more walks, even after Avi went to sleep. And when my friend, Paulina, encouraged me and Joel to sign up for the Holiday Hustle challenge to benefit Feeding America, I entertained the idea, even though the month before I wouldn't have given it a second thought. 
    The premise of the Holiday Hustle is to run or walk 50 kilometers by New Years Day. On the one hand, it felt silly to pay money to walk 50 kilometers when we could easily do the same thing at home for free. On the other hand, it benefited a good cause, was a way to connect with Paulina from afar, and provided a novelty that shook up our usual routine. Before signing up for the holiday hustle, we wouldn't go on a family walk in December. Now though, it seems worth it to bundle up and look at lights around the neighborhood to add a few more kms. 
    Arbitrary? Yes, but once we're on a walk it's such a good mood booster and way to connect as a family. I can connect with my friend by sending pictures of things we've found on our walks. I remember to take breaks at work for quick walks. Somehow knowing I was counting the distance I walked allowed me to reboot this habit. I've even gone on a run a few times, which I haven't done for months, just because I felt like it. 
    All this is just to say, small amounts of exercise each day added  up to more than I expected. As of right now, I've tracked running and walking 27.6 kilometers. I'm sticking with my seven minute-ish morning exercise on work days because at this point it's a habit, and I know that it helps me start the day with more energy and gives me a bias towards movement throughout the day. 
    I'm looking forward to completing the Holiday Hustle and all the walks and runs we will take this month. I love bundling up, listening to a podcast, and looking at all the Christmas lights in our neighborhood. I'm anticipating this will get harder as the weather gets colder. Yesterday was so cold, I didn't make it out. For now, though, I'm embracing these outdoor walks most days. 
    I'm curious, what are ways you have found to make movement a consistent part of your routine, especially if you live in a wintry area? I'd love to find ways to keep exercising as it continues to get colder in January and the challenge ends. 


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