Move More Challenge Update: Week 1

 

Setting a goal is meaningless if you don’t have actionable steps to reach it. The April Move More Challenge is about moving more before. My goal is to move more on my rest days. The days when I don’t work out, I found I was sitting too much and not moving enough.

So I set the goal. Setting goals and having good intentions get us nowhere without a plan. I didn’t have a solid plan in place for how I’d be active on my rest days. I had a vague idea in my head, but nothing concrete. No Plan B for things like snow in April. Therefore, I didn’t meet my goal. Surprise, surprise.

Let’s take a look at my activity last week:

Sunday

Off

I didn’t track my steps because I lost the charger to my Garmin Vivoactive, so I am not sure how well I did. I ordered a replacement charger from Amazon.

Monday

Off

I didn’t really plan on taking Monday off, but it was post-vacation crazy catch up day around here. Again, no charger, so I didn’t track my steps

Tuesday

55 minute metabolic workout class at the Y

This class is awesome! If you get a chance, you have to try a class with the metabolic workout format. It’s so hard and extremely effective. If you want to lose fat and gain muscle, that’s the type of class that will do it. I received my new charger (thank you, Amazon Prime! Try it–>Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial) and charged up my Garmin.

Wednesday

Ran 3.5 miles

11,113 steps

Thursday

55 minute metabolic workout class at the Y

7,038 steps

I try to get to this class every Tuesday and Thursday as often as I can. My steps are always lower when I do this workout class vs. running because it’s a lot of things like burpees and pushups, but not as much running. I still wish I could get to 10,000 steps on these days, but it’s hard!

Friday

Off

5,904 steps

Ouch. These are the days I’m trying to improve. This coming week, I’ll have a better plan.

Saturday

Weights (arms) and 3 miles on the treadmill

11,300 steps 

I strongly dislike the treadmill, but it was cold and snowy here on Saturday and I’m a wimp. UGH. I do like how the treadmill allows me to control my pace, so I did a nice tempo run, working up to a much faster pace than I’ve been doing on the road lately (I held a 7:30/mile pace for 5 minutes).

This week, I want to do better on my off days. Here’s my plan to make that happen:

• Purposely park far away from the entrance wherever I go. I usually do this, but lately I’ve gotten lazy and started taking the closest spot I can find. Those extra steps add up if you do this!
• Take work breaks to move. My Garmin buzzes when I’ve been sitting too long, and I usually ignore it. This week I’m going to get up  and walk, even if it’s just around the house for two minutes. I think that break will help my mental focus anyway.
• Play outside with Luke. (The weather is supposed to be better this week!)

Wearing a fitness tracker makes all the difference for me. I got my Garmin for Christmas, and I absolutely love it. I had a Fitbit a few years back, but it just stopped working. I love my watch because it has GPS and tracks my distance and pace for runs as well as my daily steps. It can also track biking, swimming, walking, and golf. I highly recommend it if you’re in the market for a fitness watch. I wear it everyday and really missed it when I didn’t have a charger for it. I think wearing a fitness tracker is a great way to make sure you are as active as you think you are and as you should be.

Your turn! Tell me how the #MoveMore Challenge is going for you!