What I Discovered in Week Two: Kindness from Strangers

During my first 45-minute workout today, I faced quite a struggle. My knees have been aching, and perhaps the gloomy weather added to the challenge of finishing my 5km brisk walk. As my daughter often says, “the struggle is real.”

Around the three-quarter mark of my walk, I encountered a familiar woman who I’ve seen around town for years. She’s usually accompanied by her two dogs and often walks barefoot. Despite not knowing each other well, we’ve exchanged friendly greetings in passing over the years.

Today, instead of our usual casual exchange, she commented, “You’re doing really well with your walks.” This unexpected encouragement made me stop and turn around to express my gratitude. It felt particularly uplifting on a tough day. I joked about being late to the fitness game, to which she replied, “It’s never too late to start. I’m 73, and I just published my first book!”

“Wow, that’s fantastic! What’s your book about?” I asked, intrigued.

“It’s a memoir with poems and short stories. I’m having a book launch tonight at the Grey Gallery,” she shared.

I wished her well for her launch and continued my walk, feeling uplifted by her words. It was a lovely reminder of the interesting people we cross paths with daily.

The Ease of Forming New Habits with Consistency

From my days studying Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), I learned that it typically takes 21 days of consistency to develop a new behavior. Although some studies suggest this figure is arbitrary, the importance of consistency remains.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve organized my day around my workouts and the other tasks associated with the 75 Hard Challenge. This structure has contributed to my enjoyment of the program and my ability to stick with it.

Previously, I would try to fit in workouts whenever I had free time, which often led to skipping them altogether. Now, I genuinely look forward to my daily workouts, which feels fantastic.

Embracing Outdoor Exercise

All 28 of my workouts so far have been outdoors, and I absolutely love it. The fresh air and connection with nature are invigorating. Fortunately, I live near a public park with various trails. My 5km walking loop features a mix of paved paths and dirt trails that wind through a campground, forest, and alongside a small river.

To add some fun to my routine, I've started naming different sections of my route. For instance, there's “Acorn Corner,” where acorns litter the path, and “Wild Goose Chase Valley,” a dip where Canada Geese often gather. Another favorite is “False Finish,” a spot that tricks you into thinking you’re nearing the end when there’s still a bit of trail left to cover. By Day 75, I expect to have named nearly every segment of my route!

Reducing Screen Time

The hour and a half I dedicate to working out each day, along with the time spent reading ten pages of nonfiction, has significantly reduced my screen time. I realized this week just how much my screen usage has decreased, which has positively impacted my mental health.

Week Two Results

Starting Weight: 288 lbs (284 lbs last week)

Current Weight: 278 lbs (10 lbs lost since the beginning)

Non-fiction book pages read: 144 (currently enjoying "Company of One" by Paul Jarvis)

Workout hours logged: 21

Total kilometers walked: 125 (78 miles)

I’m excited to see what next week brings and hope that as I shed some weight, my knees will start feeling better. Wishing you all a fantastic day ahead!