Catherine’s decluttering plans for 2025

December 29, 2024December 28, 2024 catherine w1 Comment

My dear readers,

Remember when Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, came out?

Neither did I. Google does– it was 2011, and was released in the US in 2014. But it wasn’t until the January 2019 Netflix series that full-on Kondo-ing fever hit. All of a sudden, thrift shops and donation bins everywhere were overflowing with good stuff. We all wanted to get rid of whatever no longer brought us joy. And yes, I joined the throw-out brigade.

But that was six years ago. In the meantime, stuff has built back up. And not just stuff: the grime and residue and smudginess of habits and ruts and plans (even new pandemic-provoked ones) created too much complexity, too much mess. Some of us (by us I mean me) thought that by tweaking or shifting around or reconfiguring, we (I) could juggle all the things (physical and mental) to function efficiently and happily.

It’s now five years later, and I’m in need of a full Marie Kondo treatment– not just of my stuff, but of my life habits. Back in 2016, I wrote about Marie Kondo here, concluding that, for my workouts, more was still more. And during the pandemic, Sam was on Team More, doing more and more varied workouts. I was on Team Less can be More. Fast forward to now, I’m joining Team Less Life Clutter. How to do that? Here are some ideas I came up with:

Fewer streaming services– I mean, how many spy suspense series and cooking shows can I actually watch while I have a job? I’m dropping Apple+ and Hulu. Keeping Netflix, Amazon Prime, and PBS (public tv app, which is awesome). We’ll see how long Amazon Prime stays around…

Fewer clothes– I’m going on a serious buy nothing* plan starting this January (*except basics that urgently need replacing and stuff from my favorite consignment shop, provided I bring things to consign, too).

Fewer books—ACK! *breathing* I have way too much books that I’ve already read or won’t read or don’t need. Plus, I have many books that I WANT to read, but they’re not organized or easily accessible. Imma organize them so I can see the vast selection I own, and put the brakes on buying for a while* (*except for book club books I can’t get from the library or something urgently needed for research).

Fewer and simpler physical activity plans—for the next two months, I’m cutting back my list of exercise activities to three: 1) one yoga class per week; 2) one trip to the gym per week; 3) ride my bike trainer once per week. Let’s see how that goes. If two weeks goes by and I don’t do all three, I’ll cut back to two, and so on until I do at least one of these every week for 4 weeks. Then I can build back up. I got so caught up in work and family stuff and social stuff that I lost consistent regular workouts. I want them back.

Less variety in my meditation– I’ve used the Happiness app (formerly Ten Percent Happiness) since 2020, and I’ve noticed that I gravitate towards the same 15–20 guided meditations and 5–6 teachers. I’m also doing more unguided meditation.

I used to think I should switch it up more and get exposed to more meditation teachers, more approaches, more variations on practice. But I’m really happy with the meditation practice I’ve embedded in my life. I do 10–20 minutes first thing in the morning, every morning. I *might* do another session in the afternoon if I’m feeling extra leisurely and contemplative. But honestly, the morning sesh fixes me up for the day.

Fewer classes to teach—I teach a four-course/semester load at my university (which is a LOT), and in addition, have been teaching at least one overload course per semester for extra money. This year, I’m getting rid of the extra course as soon as possible (maybe this spring, but definitely in the fall, and no summer school teaching!) I really enjoy teaching, but have noticed that I can’t really maintain the quality of focus I want and need when I teach so many courses. Luckily I have a little wiggle room to cut back.

Less gear: I’m selling my ultra-light speedy kayak that I bought myself as a 60th birthday gift. Here we are back in 2022.

Don’t we look happy together? Nothing bad happened, but the thrill is gone…

I was very excited to get my own boat, and loved how light it was (27 lbs/13kg). However, it just didn’t suit me in the end. So I’m letting it go. I may buy a used tandem recreational kayak if I can find a good deal. We shall see. I already have all the gear I need for it (except for one more paddle and PFD/life jacket). I’m also letting go of my old squash racket and tennis racket. I haven’t used them in a while, and they deserve good homes.

Looking at my decluttering list, I didn’t mention lots of things I really love– swimming, kayaking (in other boats), walking in nature, travel to nature places, fun outdoorsy adventures, possible new activities (full disclosure: I’m planning a bungie fitness class with my friend Martin sometime this winter, and want to take some parkour fitness again, too). BUT: I really need some decluttering before take on anything new. So, it’s time to let go. Less is less, but it’s not nothing!

Dear readers, do you have plans for decluttering any parts of your activity life this coming year? Are you adding to your schedule? Happy as you are? I’d love to hear from you.

celebration · challenge · femalestrength · running

When Can I Be Awesome?

December 4, 2024December 4, 2024 Mina2 Comments

A few weeks ago, I ran rim to rim in the Grand Canyon. The effort was a moment to remind myself of the strength of my spirit after a period of enormous loss, chaos and instability, including health setbacks. As I ran from the night into the dazzling first drops of sun gilding the tops of the cliffs, the dawning day called me back in to myself.

My youngest brother, Noah, proposed the adventure. His goal was to run rim to rim to rim (R3)—across the canyon and back again. My goal was rim to rim. I would accompany him for the first half of his effort.

It had been more than a decade since my last ultra run. Yes, I know, technically, rim to rim is not ultra, because it is not longer than a marathon. That said, those 21 miles are challenging. I underprepared. By a lot. One month out, I broke my toe. I wasn’t sure I could even join my brother for the first steps. A few days before we were set to leave, I was fretting about my lack of training, when the universe delivered me a lightning bolt of clarity. You know how to do this. In that moment, I felt a fizz of recognition, the running was the least of it. To be prepared was to believe in myself. I could give the rest over to the universe. I felt a sudden sense of being anchored. I know how to do this. I’ve done ultra runs before. The experience is inscribed in my cells. Yes, in the past I have always trained. A lot. And that wasn’t an option this time, so I will run with what I do have. My knowing.

Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t suddenly think that I had the whole thing in the bag, and it would all be a dawdle. Not at all. Rather, it was an acceptance that I might well turn around and that would be okay, combined with a confidence that I could do it, if all else aligned (weather, health & sleep, being the three primary things that needed to be in alignment).

We started running at 4 a.m. Descending 4500 feet. In the pitch dark. For more than 2 hours.

At one point, my headlamp caught a lone, bare tree, which looked like a staging of Samuel Beckett’s play, Waiting for Godot. I thought about Didi and Gogo, near the end of the play, contemplating whether to hang themselves from the scrawny tree. A current of energy passed through me and a voice in my head said, I want to live. I want to stop waiting for something external to happen, to give me a reason. Life is happening now. This is it.

I relaxed into the pleasure of the run. We reached the bottom in the dark and began to make our way across. I’ve been down into the canyon twice before and come right back up. I had never traversed the canyon floor before. Never been hugged by the canyon walls, as I passed through the sometimes narrow, winding passage to the far rim. The light began to seep into the canyon, long before the first sunshine splashed over the highest rock faces. The North Rim loomed 5000 feet above. It didn’t seem possible that there was a trail leading up the sheer walls. And yet, there it was. Sometimes skinny and precipitous. Sometimes breathlessly steep. With views to astonish.

Tears prickled as I reached the top after 7 grueling hours. I was overcome with the full body pleasure of finishing. Despite all. I’m awesome. I thought. For a moment. Only to watch most runners who came after me turn around (as my brother did) and run back again to the South Rim.

I was so proud of my brother for achieving his desired goal. And, at the same time, all the runners out there covering twice as much distance as me that day made me question my own sense of accomplishment. I only did … I made a halfway effort. In our world of increasingly extreme efforts, in our world where people are routinely pushing their bodies to the very edge of their human limits, what counts? What is enough? What am I allowed to be proud of? Wait a minute, who is doing this allowing? Why can’t I allow myself to be awesome?

And then on the Thursday after the Grand Canyon, I read these words from David Whyte (from his book Consolations. Words I had read before, which took on new resonance: “…taking a new step always begins from the central foundational core of the body, a body we have neglected, beginning well means seating ourselves in the body again, catching up with ourselves and the person we have become since last we tried to begin …” I felt my first steps down the South Kaibab trail again and the intensity of everything that moment contained. The flood of memories of other physical challenges, like this run, that I’ve done in the past. All the ways in which my life and how I see myself have changed since then. All the doubts I was carrying into the canyon about my own capacity. Would my Addison’s Disease be a factor? The run was an opportunity to catch up with myself and the person I have become since last I tried to begin. I discovered a woman who is doing better than she thought. The light of resilience is seeping into her cells. Soon, the only-seemingly-insurmountable cliffs ahead will be painted gold and the trail will show itself. Step by step.

challenge · fitness

Not-very-wordy Wednesday: fun movement ideas (plus photoshoot)

November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 catherine w

In case you missed it: on Tuesday, Christine blogged about her tea-sized plan for the rest of the year, which was this:

3 minutes of fun movement every day between now and December 31st. What will that include? I have no idea!

Well, here is one idea for you, Christine, and indeed all of you, dear readers: go to a local park, and find new and wrong ways to play on exercise equipment. Creating your own photoshoot of the play garners extra points.

Not sure what I mean here? No problem. I’ve got an explanation and photos.

Explanation first: a week ago, while visiting my sister and niece and nephews, we took a number of walks down by Congaree river. Happening upon one of those park exercise stations, we proceeded to find ways to use them that were not intended by their manufacturers. Here are some examples.

Me, trying to row lying face down on a rowing machine. — Me, trying to row lying face down.

My niece Gracie had a little more success, but not much. — Me, trying to row lying face down.

I’m not sure what the original purpose of this machine was. And it certainly didn’t matter, as we enjoyed finding new ways to use it.

Gracie using the seat of a machine as a platform for swiveling. — Gracie using the seat as a platform for swiveling.

Me, swiveling seated backwards on the machine. — Gracie using the seat as a platform for swiveling.

Finally, there was artistic expression on the machines.

Gracie using the pull-up machine (?) for graceful balletic dance extension, sort of.

We went on to have our lovely walk, but this stood out as one of the more fun outdoor experiences I’ve had recently.

So, a challenge to you, dear readers: go out, find some playground equipment or other structures, and see what different ways you can find to enjoy yourself with it. Bring a friend if you can, as someone needs to take pictures…

How’s that for a tea-sized end of year challenge?

challenge · fall · fitness

So much for October theory…

November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 catherine w1 Comment

Hi readers– it’s now November, with built-in darkness, leaf lossage, and weather that’s heading chillier and windier. October was a very busy month for me, with a bunch of work and other writing deadlines, as well as some fun outings with friends. As a result, I missed out on implementing October theory.

What, you may wonder, is October theory?

As far as I can tell, it’s one of the latest TikTok-dreamed-up fads. This one involves not waiting until almost January to focus on completely revamping your life through resolutions, vision boards, grandiose plans, and perhaps even new gym memberships that can be abandoned even before the new year comes around.

Seriously, what “October theory” (I am wondering, does the “theory” part refers to) seems to amount to is some TikTok users panicking about either a) lack of new content to send out to their followers, or b) that fact that it’s fall and they haven’t cleaned out their closets or been to the gym since March. So, they declare October to be the new New Year, complete with reflection, resolution-making and embarkation on life-changing journeys.

“People are like…if I want to make changes in my life and improve myself before the New Year and before January, this is the time,” Chloe Van Berkel, a New York-based college student with over 72,000 followers on TikTok, in a video on the first of the month. It has acquired over 133 thousand likes and over 500 comments.

Here is “October theory” explained in more detail.

@chloevanberkel
tik tok comes up with a lot of theories but i’m kinda here for this one #october #octobertheory #firstofthemonth #endoftheyear #fallseason
♬ original sound – Chloe Van Berkel

But what’s wrong with waiting until January for reassessment and purchasing gym memberships? Minor celebrity Ryan Seacrest’s online show panelists have an answer.

“They claim that it is an optimal month for a glow-up or a major transformation.” And, to counter the dread of the sunlight hours getting shorter and cold weather coming, taking back some control before January 1st by trying something new may feel empowering. As Seacrest put it, “Starting in January is sad.”

Starting in January is sad? Hmphf. I beg to differ. First, fall is very busy for most of us, what with all the decorating and cooking and turkey-trot 5Ks that we may or may not enter. Who has time for reflection and reassessment of our souls’ desires and needs? Which leads to second, January is a pretty slow month. Apart from searching out linen sales and continuing to vacuum up pine needles from the living room rug, there’s less to do. Perfect time for making life-changing lists. And third, January is, after all, the first month of the calendar year, which ought to give it increased consideration.

Seriously, folks: October theory notwithstanding, I think it’s good to take some time to pause and reflect on our life habits. We may want to make some changes, and giving ourselves some space to think about what to change and what to change into makes sense. And whenever you find time for that process is a good time.

Yes, in some ways January makes sense. It’ is, after all, 1/1. But January has become burdened with the pressure of being the Imma-change-my-life-now month. Both Samantha and I have written about this:

Maybe Februrary is the new January: a case for showing up late to the challenge party

January is fired as the month to start new things. It’s all about February now. Join us!

Honestly, it doesn’t have to be February, either. Any month, any day, any time, is a potential good time for self-reflection and consideration of change.

But not October, please! I’m way too busy.

How about you, dear readers? Did anyone catch October theory fever? Did you ever hear about it? I’d love to hear from you.

challenge · charity · cycling · fitness

Overcoming Fear: My Journey Biking for Parkinson’s Awareness

October 5, 2024October 5, 2024 Sam B

by Susan Fullerton

Last Saturday, I biked almost sixty kilometers from Carleton Place to Ottawa as part of a large group of cyclists riding the final leg of the Spinning Wheels Relay to end Parkinson’s (2024). In Ottawa, we gathered with our supporters (including my brother Jeff who acted as chauffeur par excellence for the day) and walked to Parliament Hill, for a celebration around the Centennial Flame. I was proud to be asked to speak and spoke briefly on my experience as part of the East Coast team.

The Relay was a modification of the Spinning Wheels Tour 2022, which involved three cyclists living with Parkinson’s (Mike, Jim, and Steve) riding across Canada, supported primarily by Mike’s intrepid spouse Darlene. This grassroots ride gathered steam as it went from Victoria to St. John’s, with other people living with Parkinson’s and supporters joining them along the way. I followed their progress and thought it was amazing how they were able to touch the lives of the people that they met throughout the country. I loved their message of hope and encouragement, showing first-hand that exercise and community can make a significant difference in how one lives with Parkinson’s.

As a result, when they announced that the plan this year was to have teams of people with Parkinson’s ride from coast to coast to coast with a final ride on the Hill, I volunteered to be part of the East Coast team riding in my home province of Nova Scotia. I was nervous about the biking given the expectation was an average daily ride of 100 kilometres. This was significant for me, even on an e-bike, because of my limited training, but also because I haven’t ridden outside much since I broke my tibia in a bike accident in October 2020.

In deciding to participate I thought of a statement I heard Steve say years ago. “Know your limits, but don’t let fear be one of them.” I knew that the relay team had a support vehicle and that everyone on the team was committed to helping each other finish the ride. As a result, I decided that my collection of fears (of failure, falling, embarrassment of riding an e-bike, etc.) would not be the definitive factor in my decision. Once decided, I went all in and even created a modest fundraiser in which my friends paid to guess how many kilometres I would ride in total. Although my time riding with the East Coast team was shorter than expected, I’m proud of my efforts.

At times, I can let the fear of my future living with a degenerative debilitating disease overwhelm me. Fear can cloud my judgement, and I can miss seeing a solution in front of me. Perhaps more insidiously, fear may prevent me from taking an action that has a direct positive impact on my illness.

I was reminded after Saturday’s ride that my bike battery has a range of 30 to 70 kilometers. It turned out my battery died close to the end of the ride, but I knew I’d be fine. I have learned over the last two months participating in the Relay that it helps me to focus on what my body can do, not what it can’t. I pushed myself and finished the ride on my own steam. If I had thought about the battery limits before the ride, I might have let the fear of not being able to finish the ride be determinative. That would have been a tremendous personal loss. It was an amazing day filled with laughter and tears, and it was important for me to participate in the final group ride celebrating the Relay’s success. The key for me is to focus on the positive that is the power of exercise and community support. That is my goal now and in the future.

Susan spent thirty + years as a government lawyer. She has a myriad of health issues including Parkinson’s, and currently focuses her time on managing her physical and mental health.

challenge · race report · swimming

Am I water? Bettina finds out

September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 bettinathenomad6 Comments

As I mentioned in my previous post, in which I dipped my toes into triathlon, my “big event” of the year was still to come. In a fit of optimism, possibly buoyed by the exhilaration of having signed up for a triathlon (signing up for stuff feels good to me), early this year I’d signed up for a 4.5k open water swimming race.

A week before my 40th birthday, on 1 September, it was time. The race took place in Lake Chiemsee, in southern Bavaria, in view of the Alps. It’s a beautiful panorama. The way the race works is that they ferry swimmers out to an island and then you swim back to shore, pretty much in a straight line. Like this:

Map of Lake Chiemsee with the island we started from circled in red and an arrow pointing towards the finish of the race.

We’d decided to make a family trip out of it, leaving on Saturday morning to make the drive down in a leisurely fashion, staying overnight, and driving home after the race on Sunday. We stayed at a lovely hotel with its own jetty and SUP boards for rent, which unfortunately we didn’t have time to use. The evening before the race, I’d arranged to meet up via Facebook with a few other people swimming the next day. But first, I had to pick up my starter kit. At the location, the main sponsor had put up a fun “I am water” backdrop, which I posed with, even though I wasn’t feeling quite sure about my aquaticness at that point.

Picture of Bettina in a white t-shirt and denim shorts, posing in front of a backdrop showing a person swimming butterfly and the words “I am water”.

I’d known the nerves would come, and the pre-race meet-up with other participants was part of my tactic to calm myself down. This was my first big open-water event and I do get impostor syndrome quite a bit. I was really glad I’d made this dinner arrangement. Not only did we have a delicious dinner in a traditional beer garden with a playground right next to our table for our 4 year-old to explore, but I also got to pick more experienced swimmers’ brains. They all assured me I’d be just fine and had signed up for a beautiful race. And wow, had I ever! Race morning came with beautiful sunshine, the perfect temperature, and no waves at all.

Panoramic view of a very calm lake with the Alps in the background. In the foreground is the finishing chute marked by yellow buoys and lines to the left, and a small child (Bettina’s son!) playing on the beach to the right.

There was a short safety briefing with an explanation of what would happen next, and off we were, all 270-ish of us, to the boat that would take us to the island. En route, I met a nice English guy (hey, Tom!) whose wife is from the region and he’d decided to give it a go while they were on holiday in the area. We chatted as we made the short crossing to the starting point, he kindly shared his vaseline to prevent wetsuit chafing, which I’d forgotten to bring, and I munched an energy bar and drank some of my sports drink.

And then… we were off! Since the water temperature was so perfect and the lake so calm, it didn’t take me a very long time to settle into a comfortable breathing rhythm. And even though there were a lot of us, there was none of the kicking and swimming over each other I’d been dreading, considering it was a mass start. It went great and I ended up losing track of how many buoys I’d passed after a while, I just kept going. Every once in a while I stopped for a split second to check I was well on track and, honestly, to admire the panorama – it was just stunning. Every 500 metres, they’d put a huge yellow buoy as a way marker so nobody got lost. There were also loads of lifeguards with paddle boards, kayaks and boats, so between them, the other swimmers, and the buoys, it was impossible to go wrong.

Towards the end, there was one section with a bit of a cold current and I was glad I’d decided to wear my wetsuit, also because I know that I tend to get cramps if I get too cold – this had happened to me a couple of times during my longer training swims in the outdoor pool.

Before I even knew it, I was swimming up to the finish chute! As I waded out of the water, I spotted my partner and son waving and shouting. I was so happy my son got to see his Mama do something big and challenging, and above all, having fun! It’s the way I’d love for him to approach sports and movement as he grows up. I wasn’t in it to win it – I was in it to enjoy it, try something new, and challenge myself.

Bettina, wearing a bright pink race cap, swimming goggles, and a long-sleeved wetsuit, crossing the finishing line after getting out of the water. A large digital clock in the background reads 1:30:07.

In the end, I was super happy with my final time of 1:30:08. I came 8th in my age group, which wasn’t bad at all! I definitely want to do this again. Next year, the same race will take place on my actual birthday, which is kind of a sign, but I’m also still considering other options – maybe a different lake! What started as my personal challenge the year I turned 40 has opened up a new path that I’m super excited to keep exploring.

224 in 2024 · challenge · fitness

Mid-year progress on Catherine’s 24 things in 2024

July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 catherine w

Well, it’s early July– mid-year 2024.

Yeah, it makes me sort of want to scream, too– where has the time gone? Thanks Noah Buscher of Unsplash for the pic.

I’m taking this moment to check in to see how things are going with respect to my goals/plans/dreams/chores for 2024. Starting with the FB group, 224 Workouts in 2024, I’m a little behind, clocking in at 108 workouts. However, with two months of summer left and two fun active vacation trips left, I’m not too worried about finishing on time.

Then there is the matter of the 24 things to do in 2024 list I made back in Februrary. Okay. Well. Might as well go through it now… 🙂

re writing each day: yes, that’s working. I’ve ramped it up this summer, unsurprisingly, because I have more time. Yay! I’ve made it a bigger priority, and am really enjoying it.

What about those kitchen appliances lying fallow on my counter– the Insta-Pot, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, and bread machine? Have I started making use of them?

Sadly, no, no and no. I do have aspirations to start using the Instant Pot, but it’s not clear the others are going to play a big role in my kitchen life this year. I’m cooking more than I did last year, but am sticking to more simply prepared foods. Also, I’m eating less meat, which is one of the big uses of an Instant Pot (how was that for an excuse?) As for the others: they continue to languish…

However, I have better news for the next two items:

Learn to make more plant-based meals and make them for myself and friends
Make more progress on reducing my consumption of animals; I stopped eating pork last October, and am working this year on eliminating beef from my diet

Yes and yes! I’m eating much less beef, more tofu and plant products, and have also given up shrimp. It’s slow progress toward a vegetarian diet, but it feels steady and doable.

re travel; I’m executing my plan for go to the Chatauqua conference in upstate NY with my beloved aunt Cathy this July– next weekend. My next blog post will be from there where I’ll report on what it’s like to be a grown-up on a summer camp-like vacation.

re other travel plans: beach with family (check), August trip to Canada for Lake Huron fun and Samantha’s birthday party (planning to check this), celebrate my sister’s birthday somewhere fun (ditto), and go to a meditation retreat (deferred until Jan 2025). Not too bad.

I’ve been to some online academic conferences, but plans to go in person didn’t happen this year. Again, I’m deferring academic travel until next year.

Yes, I am meditating (almost) every day; I missed July 4th after an 85-day streak. Sigh. But it’s the one-day streak of today that counts…

Now we get to the not-yet done or even attempted items: I’ve not been swimming regularly at home (on vacations, yes, but…) I just haven’t committed to it. Nor have I been to weekly in-person yoga– I go from time to time and do it via zoom.I’ve cycled, but not yet once a week. This one I’m not giving up on– it’s just going to take a bit more planning, as I am wimpy about riding in the heat.

On to books: Yes, I’m reading a lot more, including books in my house, book club books, and recommendations from friends and the internet. Yay! And I’m doing some drawing and crafting, although there are only so many hours in the day. Amirite?

But, I’m saying yes to more social outings with friends and family, and also expressing gratitude to myself and others for the abundance of goodness in my life.

So, plans for the second half of 2024: make more time for cycling, some time for swimming, some time for yoga, and maybe find that bread machine a loving home in the country with a family who will use it.

This yummy loaf was made with love by these folks; machine is sitting happily in the back left corner.

challenge · fitness · habits · health

Sunshine, Self-Care, and Smart Habits: Your Guide to a Healthy Summer

June 10, 2024June 10, 2024 Sam B

This came across my newsfeed, 12 New Habits to Try if You Want to Focus on Your Health This Summer: “Small changes to your lifestyle can make a big impact on your overall health. Here are the top ones you should consider starting today.”

It’s a pretty good list. Go read the article if you want details but here are the twelve recommended habits: prioritize sleep, walk more, read for 30 minutes, meditate, spend more time in nature, eat more plant based foods, drink more water, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, spend more time with loved ones, take a break from electronics, take up a new hobby.

It’s a pretty good list, right?

You could either just pick five and join us in our personalized version of the 75 day challenge, or try taking on all twelve at once.

Anything you’d add? I’ve got writing on my habit list. If I were going to six, I might add gardening.

Speaking of which, I did find a great new habit tracker. It’s free and open source. It’s also simple, which I like. I blogged about it here.

red lens sunglasses on sand near sea at sunset selective focus photography — Sunglasses. Photo by Nitin Dhumal on Pexels.com

Oh, and thanks, Microsoft copilot, for help with blog titles!

challenge · fitness

What’s your version of the 75 Hard Challenge? 75 Moderate? 75 Meaningful? 75 Doable?

June 4, 2024June 4, 2024 Sam B

So I blogged about not finding the 75 Hard Challenge a meaningful challenge for me, while at the same time cheering on friends who’ve taken it on. In the comments a friend and blog follower, Liz G, posted her version of a doable version for her and that prompted the other bloggers to chime in. Here are our versions of our own 75 day challenge. Enjoy!

Liz G

Here’s a do-able interpretation (except the “if you miss one thing you must start over–that’s just silly): 1. Diet: my normal diet (mostly vegan, but “imperfectly” or “undercommitted” so as to not make me have obsession issues)–I don’t drink much so the no alcohol thing isn’t really an issue. 2. Factor in all of the water in my coffee, tea, etc. I think a gallon is achievable. 3. Workout #1: 30 second plank or calf raises or similar; workout #2: bike commute or dog walk or PT (which can be exclusively standing on one foot while brushing teeth). 4. Since I read nonfiction for work, I think I’d modify to 10 pages fiction or nonfiction/non-work. Audiobooks count. Books by comedians count (these are my favorite nonfiction books). 5. Progress photo can be of a page of a book, of 52hike challenge calendar, of food or drink from that day, of the sunset. No need to interpret as some kind of “before/after” body photo.

person performing coffee art — Fancy coffee. Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels.com

Cate

Every day for 75 days I can: close my apple watch rings in some way (425 active calories/ 45 exercise minutes); do my dishes; maintain my duolingo, NYT crossword and worldle streaks; spend at least 20 minutes outside; floss.

In fact, in honour of this challenge, I’ll up the active calories by 50 — very easy to do on any day where I actually cycle or run — a bit harder on a “yoga and walking” day.

I’m also going to add this — despite having been a Voracious Reader my whole life, my middle aged ADHD and screen-centred ness has put too much of my reading into the Internet and audio books. I am committing to reading an actual book with my EYES for 15 minutes a day for 75 days. THERE.

(It can be an e-book but not an audio book)

book opened on white surface selective focus photography — Book. Photo by Caio on Pexels.com

Mina

1. write, even for 5 minutes

2. do my brain training exercise at least three times (total 6 minutes minimum)

3. do pull ups or plank sequence

4. get back to more disciplined daily meditation (5 mins counts!)

5. say “I love you” to someone, and that someone might even be me

macro shot of heart shaped cut out — Heart in hand. Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Catherine

I also love that we are voting no on restarting. Here’s my list: One: Meditate 10 minutes sitting on my bolster (or cushion/floor if out of town)

Two: Write and/or draw and/or do some craft thing for total of 30 minutes

Three: Read a book (kindle or paper) for 30 minutes

Four: Get outside to walk, do errands or visit people every single day (this one is hard, but I want to work on it)

Five: each week 1) ride my bike, AND 2) go to yoga class in person, AND 3) do strength/PT exercises; OR 4) swim, which can substitute for any of the previous three)

Six: Declutter or tidy or fold or wash something for 5—10 minutes

Seven: remember to wake up with gratitude for my lovely life

silver colored heart lock bridge — Thanks. Photo by Marcus Wöckel on Pexels.com

Elan

Before starting my day: 1 glass of water

Before sitting down to work: 4 stretches my physiotherapist suggested

Before a drink: 1 more glass of water

While I am doing a thing: Notice my negative self-talk

After doing a thing: Appreciate a body of which 92% doesn’t hurt on a regular basis

fluid pouring in pint glass — Glass of water. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Martha

1. Learn how to use (and actually use) my new water flosser

2. Walk every day for 30 minutes

3. Make something (sewing, drawing, or collage)

4. Clean for one hour (I’m embarking on a top to bottom wholesale purge of my house)

5. Write personal notes to my far away friends.

person writing on notebook while holding coffee mug — Writing in a journal. Photo by lil artsy on Pexels.com

Christine

1. Do an Index Card a Day drawing (the challenge is only 61 days long but I’ll add a few)

2. 5 minutes of stretches before bed

3. 10 minutes of writing

4. 1 minute of decluttering

5. Jot down daily notes (Not journaling, I already do that. More like a daily log of activities.)

I’m glad we are opting out of going hard and especially that we are voting no on restarting. That’s great for people who thrive on that sort of thing but it’s the opposite of how I like to operate.

stretching white cat — A cat stretching. Photo by Tamba Budiarsana on Pexels.com

Nicole

1. Move my body. Still running/walking/lifting but that can change for reasons unknown to me at the moment.

2. Do a balancing and/or grounding move or two for my vestibular issues.

3. Call my Mom (hopefully).

4. Ask someone else (husband, friend, colleague) what I can do for them.

5. Give myself and others grace in an achievement oriented world (a reader mentioned something similar to this on FB post and I agree)

black stackable stone decor at the body of water — Photo by Nandhu Kumar on Pexels.com

Diane

1) do some sort of movement for at least 20 minutes every day
2) 15 minutes worth of housework/gardening/decluttering
3) my daily puzzles (Wordle, Spelling Bee, Nerdle, Flaggle, Connections, Canuckle, two geography-based ones and Metazooa)
4) 15 minutes of some sort of art/sewing/craft or reading about history, and my Duolingo homework
5) at least once a week, cook a recipe I have never tried before. I know that’s not a daily thing, but it often involves figuring out what I have on hand or in my garden, shopping for ingredients I might need, figuring out which recipe to use, actually cooking it and making notes of tweaks I would give it if using again.

Sam

There are other streaks on-going, such as Wordle and Duolingo.

There are other goals too. I also aim to get 8 hours sleep a night, read 25 books a year, work out 224 times in 2024, and ride 5000 km a year. I do a monthly check in here on the blog about these activities.

But these are five things I’d like to focus on for the summer.

sunflower during sunset — Sunflower. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

How about you? What are five things you’d find it helpful to pledge to do every day for 75 days?

challenge · fitness

Sam gives a hard pass to the hard 75 challenge but cheers on friends going for it

June 3, 2024June 4, 2024 Sam B

A friend recently posted about the Hard 75 challenge and asked whether I’d ever done it. From a certain perspective, it looks up my alley. I like challenges, and I’m not averse to doing hard things.

What is it?

The 75 Hard challenge rules

If you skip a day, you must start over. If you miss a task, you must start over at day one. …
Pick a diet to follow, with no alcohol or cheat meals. …
Drink a gallon of water daily. …
Complete two daily workouts. …
Read 10 pages per day of a nonfiction book. …
Take a progress photo every day.

Here’s a somewhat critical description of it from the Cleveland Health Clinic,

“The 75 Hard Challenge was started in 2019 by Andy Frisella, podcaster, entrepreneur and CEO of the supplement company 1st Phorm. One part-fitness program, one-part-nutritional plan, the 75 Hard Challenge centers around the idea of “mental toughness”: That you have to push past your comfort zone and challenge yourself to the extreme in the effort to make long-term lasting improvement on your mind, body and overall outlook on life. “This is another one of those fad lifestyle plans,” states Dr. Sacco. “On the surface, it’s very much about your willpower and your ability to push yourself and stick to something very rigidly.” For anyone who has a tough time sticking to new routines and lifestyle changes (like eating healthier or exercising five days a week), change can be difficult. But the 75 Hard mentality has one overarching golden rule designed to get you to avoid cheat meals and quitting on your goals: You must participate and complete every aspect of the five-rule challenge every single day for 75 days; if you fail to deliver, you start all over, and attempt another shot at completing each daily task for another 75 days. Although Frisella and 75 Hard fanatics swear by their own personal experiences that the program is life-changing, much of its promise is anecdotal. There’s little-to-no scientific evidence the program itself is beneficial, says Dr. Sacco, even when individual parts of the program stem from healthy ideas about forming healthy habits.”

I mentioned that the rules seemed too strict to me. What felt harsh was the requirement to start over if you missed a day or a task. I work out and read most days, but I don’t feel bad about taking a break. I also don’t follow a strict diet; although I drink lots of water, I never measure it.

Oh, also, I don’t like this, “Take a progress photo every day.” Like, why? Who cares what I look like? Who thinks progress is measured by what you look like? Not me.

Anyway, all of this is just to say it’s not my kind of challenge. I’m a “you do you” sort of person. Somebody else might get something out of it, but the whole idea makes me grumpy.

I’m the sort of person who rebels against pointless rules even though I take serious rules very seriously. Years ago, I decided I could never live in a neighbourhood with homeowners association rules. The regulations about allowable colours of paint, flowers you’re not allowed to plant, and whether clotheslines are permissable would immediately have me thinking of workarounds.

We’re not all alike. Hard 75 might be motivational for someone else.

So I’m cheering on friends who are doing it but also giving it a hard pass for me. It did get me thinking, though, if I did do this sort of challenge, what sorts of things would I aim to do everyday?

Maybe writing, knee physio, bike riding, walking outside, and decluttering.

But definitely no photos, no dieting , and no starting over if I miss a day.

How about you?

woman preparing for climbing high on wall — Pexels free photos. One of the options that came up when I searched “challenge.” A white woman with a ponytail and a blue cutout workout top facing a very tall climbing wall. Photo by Allan Mas on Pexels.com

Our conversation continues here.

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