Workout 400 for 2023 was a gentle relaxing yoga practice.
“400. Slow your roll yoga with Adriene in which you’re told to fold your towel or blanket like a burrito of love. “
Earlier in the day we went for a dog hike on the very very grey and cold New Year’s eve day at the farm. Brrrr.
That was workout #399.
Cold grey dog walk
Cheddar has lots of attitude about sticks.
Two Sticks Cheddar
This was a very successful year of working out for me, largely because it was in service of knee replacement surgery recovery. Between physiotherapy and personal training, there was a lot of structured leg stretching and strengthening, and balance work.
Interested in joining a supportive workout community focused on getting more movement into your days? The 223 workouts in 2023 is rebranding to 224 workouts in 2024, and you’re welcome to join! This blog post from a few years ago explains how.
Well, it’s happened. I didn’t know if it ever would. But this was my year. Yes, I’m talking about finishing my 223 workouts in 2023 challenge without frantically rushing around the block multiple times on December 30 or grimly doing bridge exercises in my living room. But, on December 22, I made it: hit the 223 mark!
Go me!
Yes, I know this news isn’t of tremendous import: I wasn’t the first over the line, and it was Dec 22 when I met the goal. But: this was the first year since I joined the challenge group in 2018 that it went so smoothly. Every other year, I had to plot and plan to get the workouts in over the holidays so I could finish up by Dec 30 or 31. All that last-minute hustling left me feeling foolish instead of glad or proud. Not good.
Poor me!
But that didn’t happen this year. What was different in 2023?
Looking back, I see a few changes. The main one is that I sought out or let myself be pulled into group activity. This sounds simple, but during the pandemic many of us shifted to more solitary workouts. I thought that would go well for me. It so didn’t. Turns out I do much better in groups, even groups where I’m the least fit person.
Also, I traveled more in 2023, seeing friends and family, going to conferences, doing a little touristing even. Again, I wasn’t a solitary self for any of these trips; I was accompanied by friends or family, who swam and walked and cycled and did yoga alongside me. It was fun. More often than not it was low-key as well– just getting outside and enjoying ourselves.
My sister and niece with the dogs, accompanying me on workout number 223.
This year I tried to say yes to more outings with people, to worry less about my fitness and instead to focus on spending time with people whose company I enjoy. And those people often like to move around in space (including water). So I went with them, and enjoyed myself as well.
Finally, a big shout-out to Nature, for being there all the time, ready to accept our visits. None of this is news to any of us, but heading out to green spaces, preferably near water, smooths out the rough edges of anyone’s day. Here are a few highlights from workout #224, done yesterday with family.
Winter brush with a view of the Congaree river in South Carolina.Rocks and gentle rapids in the afternoon sun.Unexpected art carving of two owls in a log beside the river.
I expect I’ll rack up a few more workouts before year’s end. But I’m not sweating it. And that, my friends, is news to me!
Dear readers, how is your end of year activity going? Are you getting out there? Staying in? Looking to bust out of a relative’s living room to stretch your legs? Running after dogs or kids? I’d love to hear from you.
Hi readers– while this headline may seem like not-really-news-at-all to you, it’s in fact unprecedented for me. I’ve been doing this challenge since 2018, and each year I slide or skulk or scream over the finish line just in time. I’m talking December 30 or 31. I even documented it for the blog here and here and here.
Yes, it’s November 26, so I anticipate hitting the magic 223 by say, December 20 or so. But this year is decidedly different for me in a few ways:
I’m not worried about making my goal this year (unlike the frantic feeling in previous years)
a lot of my workouts have been fun activity with friends and family: on outings, vacations, visits
There’s been a fair amount of dog walking (with a fair number of dogs!) in the mix this year, which I really enjoy
Yes, there’s been cycling and swimming and yoga, but more as group activity
I think the month of December will include more of the above. I’m off to Baltimore next weekend for a big post-wedding party and will exploring the city with friends. Then I go to NYC for a 60th birthday party and some city and dog-walking (a great twofer!). Today I meet at friend at yoga for an in-studio yoga nidra with one of our favorite teachers. For the holidays, I’ll be in South Carolina visiting family and exploring both the neighborhoods and local nature with them (and more dogs, of course).
Looking back on this year, it’s been a time of increased connection with friends and family. And it’s shown in my workouts– they’ve been easier, more fun, gentle when I needed it, and quite varied in location and type. The cadence has been steady, and is continuing through to the end of the year.
I’ll post when I hit 223, but I don’t think (fingers crossed) it’ll be a breathless December 31 finish. That’s a relief and a pleasant surprise. How often do we get one of those? Feel free to enjoy it with me…
Readers, are you doing any challenges this year that you’re finishing up, not finishing up, that you long ago finished up? How’s it going? I’d love to hear from you.
The goal of the 223 workouts in 2023 group of which I’m a member is simple, really.
Here’s the basic idea explained by Jason, the group’s founder:
“WHAT: The idea is simple. In 2023 there will be 365 days. We will challenge ourselves to work out 223 times in those 365 days.
WHY: (1) Consistently doing deliberate exercise is one of the most important factors in developing good health and fitness. (2) Choosing to complete a workout or not is something we can control.
HOW: (1) Workouts are defined as any form of deliberate exercise/movement. That’s right, this challenge is about fitness freedom. You are the boss of your body, and if you deliberately choose to do movement, it can count as your workout. Some examples are deliberately parking a few spots farther away from the door when shopping, lifting weights, taking the dog for a little longer than usual walk, taking the cat for a walk (good luck), doing gymnastics, a CrossFit WOD, a hike in the great outdoors, doing a plank during a commercial break, practicing a martial art or yoga. Taking a dance class or playing rec softball with the folks from work also counts. Do what inspires you to move your body. (2) Use a spreadsheet, a habit-tracking app, or a notebook and give yourself a check mark for every workout you complete. (3) Share your progress with the group.
Let’s get cracking!”
Some years, I’ve struggled to make it, doubling up December workouts, but not this year. This year, I’m at 337 workouts so far in 2023.
Here’s 337: “Personal training, first time back at it. Moving but still taking it easy.”
And 336.
Here’s workout #336.
Workout #335 was a long walk in the woods with Sarah and my youngest adult kid.
Workout #334 was one of the new Zwift routes, Going Coastal.
There are 60 days left in the year.
So, with one workout a day, I will make it to 397. Three bonus workouts are needed to make my goal of 400.
I think I can do it. I was worried recently with my recent illness that wasn’t covid but still made me miserable. But I seem to be on the mend.
What’s the secret to my success? Two knee replacements and a ton of physio. That’s definitely part of the story. But also sheer joy at moving again after the knee replacements.
Cheddar is loving ❤️ all the walks. I’m especially enjoying walking, both the everyday tromping around campus variety and the more rugged walks in the woods.
I’m excited to be back in the gym strength training too, and it’s not all focused on rehab. And, of course, it feels good to be riding my bike.
It helps to have a team supporting me. Thanks to all the friends and family who’ve joined me on walks. Thanks to Estee, the world’s best physiotherapist, and Cody, the young, keen personal trainer who is specializing in rehab.
I’m going to try to add some new things to the mix for November. I’ve got the cycling challenge and whatever challenge Livestrong and Nicole/Tracy throw my way. But I’d like to try one new thing a week during November. I need something to distract me from November.
