The ultimate goal of the Healthy Year Challenge is to focus on a different aspect of health every month so that over the course of a year we are improving our health in a deliberate way. Our thoughts become our habits and our habits become who we are. So by keeping our health, in some form, in focus each month, I feel like we can all change our habits and improve our lives.
Sometimes 30 days can change a lot, sometimes it takes a lot longer. Sleep is one of those things that I will continue to focus on as I felt like I was just starting to make progress and the month was over. The biggest thing I learned this month is that I ultimately need to say no to more things so I can say yes to sleep. My sister-in-law made that comment, and I thought it was wise and helpful. Sometimes you have to say no to something, maybe it’s something good and something important, but you still have to say no, in order to say yes to something more important. It’s a hard lesson but I’m learning it and embracing it.
Are you ready to learn about April’s challenge? April’s Healthy Year Challenge is to #MoveMore
Moving, being active, whether that means sitting less, walking more, or working out daily, is one of the most important aspects of our health. It’s no secret that physical activity has immense health benefits. It’s been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It helps us maintain a healthy weight. More than important enough to focus on for a month, don’t you agree?
Right now, I’m happy with my frequency of formal workouts. I’ve been in a good groove for a while now and most weeks I’m getting in four exercise sessions. What I’m most concerned about is my days off. I don’t think I need to exercise seven days a week. I’m totally fine with getting four days of exercise in.
What concerns me is those off days I tend to be much less active than I’d like them to be. This blogging gig keeps me sitting more than I’d like, and I’ve read a lot of negative things about the effects of sitting too much. I also don’t live in a walkable area, as in I have to drive just about everywhere, so I’m not naturally walking as much as I’d like to on my days off. Because of all of these things, my goal this month is to turn my “off days” into active rest days. Days when I’m not necessarily working out, but I’m not sitting all day, either. I want to be more active and sitting less on my days off from formal workouts.
What are YOU going to focus on for April’s Move More Challenge? Have you not been working out at all and need to start an exercise program? Do you need to focus on working out with more intensity? Are you trying to lose weight with exercise? Are you stuck in a fitness rut? Let me know what you need help with!
Well, as a wheelchair user, I am sitting 90% of the time and it’s become startlingly apparent that I need to move more. As you can imagine my options are quite limited when I can’t even walk. But I’ve gained a lot of weight this year and can’t remember the last time I was able to get my heart rate up. I’m joining a community center that has an amazing (accessible) pool and great (trustworthy) child care, so my focus this month is getting back to my roots and swimming again. To anyone who is able bodied- appreciate it and don’t take it for granted as I once did!
Thanks for the reminder to NEVER take our health for granted. I have learned that through too many people I love having it taken from them. 🙁 I am here to cheer you on this month (and beyond!). I hope that swimming will help you feel great about what your body CAN do and that it will become a habit you love again. {{Hugs}}