One More Percent

I’ve been doing pretty well with my whole building-better-habits routine. We’re out as soon as we’re up each morning (although as the days lengthen, I’m not seeing much of the sunrises anymore), I’m hitting my steps target most days, and yoga is a regular part of my day once more. I was feeling pretty good, pretty smug about all that, quite pleased with myself, and then I read my friend’s blog.

LL is touring the US & Canada in a motorhome and is currently in Texas. She posted what her typical day looks like and while parts of her days are quite similar to mine (walking, cooking, Netflix, reading), they also include: water aerobics, pickle ball, swimming, and biking – all on top of not one, not two, but three walks a day. Well how annoying is that? Now, to be fair, she is in Texas in March, and I am in Orkney in March, but even so – WTF?

Downward Dog

Well, sir, gauntlet thrown down, gauntlet picked up. I can guarantee I will not be swimming in the sea any time soon (even tho my landlord swears by it – nice man, but clearly mad as a hatter), and under no circumstances will you ever get me on these roads on a bicycle. But I pulled out my notes on what facets of my life I want to focus on, and what habits I can build to improve those facets (because, yes, Elaine, you have written this all down in a mind-map and created a habit-stacking list – of course you have).

What have I added, you ask? Well, let’s not get crazy here – it’s me after all – but the following items are now part of my daily routines: two walks EVERY day – 10,000 steps is a must from now on (I do have one exception to that – if winds surpass 40 mph we’re a No Go – common sense, people). Other habits adopted: try out one new author per week, instead of just reaching for the same old, same old faves (altho, I withhold the right to ditch an author if they’re not cutting it – yesterday I made it 17 pages into a novel before telling Scout it was utter shite and turning on reruns of The Repair Shop on TV); two 5-minute physio sessions each day, instead of waiting until my hand pains me and I need anti-inflammatories. And a full yoga practice daily, not just a 15 minute morning stretch. Although that last one may be tricky – see photo.

This whole 1% changes to make life better is good – I’m pleased with my progress and I’m feeling pretty good. But LL had better not up the game – if she suddenly takes up tae kwon do, or rock climbing, or something . . . . well, I’m out.

1 thought on “One More Percent”

  1. First off, I had no idea this might turn into a competition. LOL. You work with what is provided in your environment. I feel you have a walking advantage, you have beautiful countrysides to traverse with Scout. Winston/Safiya and I have been only touring the RV Park. I won’t take Winston to the beach, not that he won’t love it, I won’t love the sand he tracks back into the RV for the next month. I know this is my issue not his….. I promise not to up any ante any time soon!! I am pleased with myself thus far, although I felt I might have overdone it yesterday in the pool as my back was pretty sore this morning. Didn’t stop me from doing pickle ball in gale force winds, but does have a strong chance to take me out at some point! I also only have a few more days of all of this. BN arrives on Friday and we start heading back home on Sunday/Monday via Nashville. So you will be WAY ahead of me for about 2-3 weeks !!!

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