After 50 days of consecutive exercising, this is what I learnt.
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 March 2021) – On the 18th of January, two days after my birthday (and the day after a massive hangover), I decided to start exercising continuously for 100 days… this is my journey, so far!
Even though I am only halfway there, I have learnt so many things. Things I want to share with you in the hopes that maybe your day 1 starts today!
100 days… how crazy, right? Many have asked why 100 days? What purpose does this actually serve in the greater scheme of things? Was there a scientific formula to get to that number?
And my answer… when last did you do something really good for yourself for 100 consecutive days? When have you ever done anything consistently for 100 days – besides the lockdown. Think about it, when last did you do something that would make you better, even just for a month?
One of my intentions for 2021 was to be more healthy, fitter and more aware of my body and mind; you see, the lockdown had taken its toll on me – both mentally and physically. The loss of normalcy, loss of incomes and loss of lives. This thing we are going through can feel like it’s almost never-ending and completely out of our control. But the one thing I can control and work on daily is my mind and my body…, and for me, exercise was a step in the right direction to doing just that.
I guess the biggest factor is that I had put on 10 kilograms in the last 348 days – somewhere between not gyming, losing motivation and then there were the kit-kats, the wine and packets of chips I was eating daily. Lockdown had been ugly, and my vices were even uglier. So I got up, I made the decision to make a change and started doing something to better me!
It’s only been 50 days, but I am feeling so much better… and not just about the way I look. Mentally, I am in such a good space, and that means I approach things (and situations) better too. A healthy body equals a healthy mind.
I have learnt so much in this time that I wanted to share some of that with you, in the hopes that perhaps your “Day 1 to whatever” might start today (or tomorrow).
So here goes:
Anyone can do it!
The trick is just to start and to start small. It doesn’t matter what your ultimate goal is; the trick is to have one… and to just start.
And take it one day at a time! Many times we allow ourselves to get overwhelmed and deterred by how distant our end goals seem to be but one day at a time allows us to focus on small wins while making our way to the big one! 100 days can feel like a lifetime away. 50 days can feel like a lifetime away. 10 days can feel like a lifetime away. But 1 day, that sounds way more manageable!
People (and things) will help your journey!
The missing ingredient in your diet, exercise in your routine, or even your plan may be accountability. Often, we know what needs to be done, but somehow, we choose not to do it. Instinct alone warns us that a kit-kat every day might not be a great idea and a run in the morning might be a better option, but without having someone or something that you answer too might be the thing that is missing.
It could be that damn Discovery Vitality Leaderboard, or your Apple Watch and those ring things, a personal trainer, a group class or even a buddy but find someone or something to keep you accountable!
The first 30 days are habit-forming!
Day 31 is when everything shifted up a gear. Yes, I was training daily, but I wasn’t really pushing myself. The first 30 days were spent making sure I reached the 500 active calories required on my Apple Watch, and that was enough for me… but something changed on Day 31 – suddenly, I wanted to run further, do more and reach better goals.
In the last 20 days, I have upped my game that I am now averaging 1,200 Active Calories burnt every day while also averaging 10,000 steps daily.
The healthier you become, the healthier you want to be!
I have also found that the more I exercise, the more I want to exercise, so I added a 30-minute run to my morning schedule – just to wake my body up, and that means I have still have loads of energy for my hour of training in the afternoon on weekdays, and afternoon walks on weekends.
I am also choosing to eat healthier… because of the training; I consciously choose to feed my body with fresher, more natural foods. And that also means I am choosing to not drink alcohol on school nights as well as no more fizzy soft-drinks ever. Geez, those things are the proper devil.
And I haven’t become this all-encompassing health guru where every insta-photo is me flexing; instead, I still drink wine, I still love a little kit-kat every now and then, and on days where I am absolutely exhausted, then I choose to just go for a walk or do a little 30-minute yoga session to reach my fitness goals for the day BUT all of it comes down to the healthier you become, the more healthy you wan to be!
What you put in, you get out (or get rid of)!
I have lost 4 kilograms of fat. Well, I haven’t lost them; I know exactly where they have gone and shedding that extra weight has really made me feel good.
I am happy that I am seeing results, but I don’t think losing the kilograms are my ultimate result anymore. Perhaps just being healthier and happier is what has made this all worth it!
The journey is the destination!
Enjoy it! Celebrate every single day that you reach your goal for that day; it means you’re one step closer to your intention! Goals and positive intentions truly do push us to be better, but the journey is actually the destination!
Every day I feel better about myself, my mind and my body. I am loving training with friends, going for walks in parks that I have never been to and spending time outdoors exploring my neighbourhood. I am learning more about myself, my mind and how capable I am, and I am loving every step I am taking on this incredible journey.
What’s next?
What will I do when I get to 100 days? I have no clue… perhaps continue, become and grow more!
I absolutely love everyone that has been messaging me and commenting on my social media posts about their fitness journey, and here’s the thing, keep posting about it with pride because you could be the reason that someone starts their day 1 tomorrow!
“Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so.” – David Brooks.
Whatever your day 1 is tomorrow (whether fitness, work or your own life goals), remember that you have the power to make your future better!
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