Yeah, I know, it’s been forever since I’ve written a blog. It’s partially being busy but it’s also partially needing some time with just me and my own head. I’ve been writing before bed each night in my journal. But I’ve mentally been logging away a few ideas to share with anyone who wants to read this.
Every time I’ve made a change in my life, it’s come after a tipping point. I get fed up with things being the way they are. That’s where I was just five weeks ago.
Sluggish, inconsistent with food and exercise, emotional, just all around a mess. I’d broken so many promises to myself I didn’t even believe a word I said anymore.
A month prior, after watching Brittany Runs a Marathon, I decided I’d start running a mile a week, just .2 miles a day. But my Thursday my knees were hurting so bad I could barely walk. I gave up before the first week ended.
So it was back to the drawing board. I knew from experience that the stair climber was a great way to get my heart rate up without the jolting that running put on my knees. But I also knew I hated it.
After a few inconsistent starts, I just made a decision. Every morning, no mater what, and then resting on the weekends. I started at 30 flights, just over 10 minutes of exercise. And then went home.
And that decision was tested:
- Three days in, a car accident.
- A few days later, knee pain so bad I could barely walk.
- Something happened to my toe that made walking hurt.
- Each week there was some new test. And each week I kept going anyway.
Each day I hit my goal and each day I built trust. By Wednesday of last week, I was doing 70 flights in just over 19 minutes. And Friday marked four weeks without missing a day.
The benefits were showing up all over my life
- I was sleeping better
- I ate better (most days)
- My mood improved
- My mind was more organized
But the best benefit was the personal trust I had cultivated. I believed myself when I said I’d do something.
Sunday I did my weekly review and decided to push myself to do 100 flights in 30 minutes on Monday. My previous record was 70 and I’d been steady on 20 minutes, so this was a 33% increase in time.
To ensure I had plenty of time, I set my 6am alarm 10 minutes earlier and my 6:20 “you better be at the gym” alarm for 6:10. In four weeks I’ve never slept though my alarm so imagine my surprise waking up at 6:10 to my phone alarm.
Late but undeterred, I headed to the gym and got on right away. I jumped up the pace as fast as I could, and by 15 minutes in I was at 50 flights.
But I was seriously winded. I backed off a bit and then never really recovered. By the end I was at 93 flights when 30 minutes came along.
With no time to stay, I packed up and headed home. Frustrated, sore, and irritated, I was determined to hit my goal.
When I got off work, I discovered my alarm blaring, realizing I must have set it for 5:50 pm when I adjusted the time. I committed to go at it again and make 100 flights a reality.
So today I was up and at the gym bright and early to give it another go. This time I used a slower build up and then found a steady pace and just stuck with it. I was struggling toward the end but I destroyed those 100 flights and finished in well under 30 minutes.
- Slow and steady can win the race.
- If you fail, try again.
- The Slight Edge is either working for you or against you.
- All the other cliché sayings we learn over the years.
But for me the lesson is bigger than that. It’s a story of relearning to keep the promises I make to myself. It’s in that place of personal accountability that I activate those success principles and I really can accomplish the inconcebible. 💖💕
Imperfect Progress Titles 
Thoughts?