The 100-Day 1

 Why is this challenge 100 days?

Why not something short like 10 days-so I can accomplish it and start another challenge?  Why not 1000 days-that would be a truly be something to look back on and be proud of.

 While there are positives to both a short and a long challenge, I think 100 days sits right in that sweet spot.  Short enough to be achievable and to see the light at the end of the tunnel, while still being long enough to see change and to feel a real sense that it is an accomplishment.

I think of it a this:

You can't buy anything with a penny.  But if you collect 100 of them you have a dollar.  Today you still can't buy anything but if this were 1985 you might be able to get gum or a candy bar.  That's something.

By the way that reminds me, no candy during this challenge either.

Relentless 100

 I need a challenge.  The idea of having something that I do that will allow me to check off a relatively small accomplishment every day that will lead me to a bigger accomplishment in a period of time is one thing that really motivates me.  It's just the way I'm wired.

I have already talked about my "Goals" for Garmin Connect.  The year long goal to climb enough stairs to climb Everest and walk enough steps to have hiked the Appalachian Trail this year is good, however I need something more short term that I can check off every day.

So I was thinking about it, trying to come up with something, and realized to myself, "Why reinvent the wheel?"  I follow (I use the term loosely-since I really spend almost no time on social networks) someone named Tony Reyes.  He is a guy, like me, who struggles with his weight and really wants to better himself overall.  Some of our long term goals are different, but we do have a similar mindset.  He has done (and is currently doing as we speak-or type) something he calls "Relentless 100."  For 100 days he commits to 100 days of personal goals to better himself.  I am going to do the same.

Tony has a whole set of daily goals.  Meditating, no alcohol, 10k steps, etc.  I'm just going to commit to one single thing-exercise.

For the next 100 days I will exercise for at least 60 minutes a day.  

In order for a minute to count it needs to be intentional exercise.  I need to go out and do something with the sole reason to workout.  Running-OK.  Strength Training-Yes.  Hiking-Yep.  Richard Simmons Sweating to the Oldies-I guess, but why?  Walking Wade-No, that's for Wade time.

The hope is to record it here daily.  But as we have shown, I'm not great at committing to journal either.  I fell off that wagon after day 2 this year, but there's always another chance to restart.

Goal Orientated

Hi Zeus!

 I am and always have been a very goal orientated person.  I love to set out to accomplish something and then check it off my list.  I doesn't matter what it is but making a todo list and then being able to mark something as completed always motivates me to do work hard and get things done.

I just completed enough stairs since the beginning of October to climb to the top of Mount Olympus.  I was behind but really pushed to finish up on January 1st.  Why was it important to finish up?  Because this was a trial for my 2024 goal to climb enough stairs to reach the top of Everest-as tracked by Garmin Connect.

That's not my only goal for the year.  I'm also walking enough steps to complete the Appalachian Trail.  Neither of these goals are particularly difficult, especially over the course of 366 days, but having a long term goal will keep me on track.

I do have other goals.  Running distance.  Biking Distance.  Same as always.

The big goal is to drop 60 pounds.  That's going to take some work.  And commitment.  But I need to do it.  I know weight is not the end all be all of health markers, but it is easy to track and over time it does show an increase in health and fitness.  52 weeks 60 pounds.  That's just a little over a pound a week.  I know I have been trying for years without success to lose weight-but I think this time will be different.  2024 needs to be a make or break year for me. 

I need to become the person I want to be and not just accept who I am.  I know that goes against all the modern "Love yourself" philosophies, but I don't agree with that modern thought anyway.  I can be unhappy with myself-and I need to figure out what to do to get to a point where I can be the person I want and need to be.  And that starts from being able to look down and see my toes for the first time in years.  Not just the belly flopping over my belt.  

2024-A Clean Slate

 

And we start again.  Another trip around the sun is complete.  2023 is over and 2024 is here.

The last year was not a good one for me personally.  Health wise I am really feeling my age.  My fitness, by my standards, is poor.  I really felt largely tired and lethargic all year.  I do honestly think my lack of fitness is seeping into my self esteem and mental health.  Add to it a family heath scare and it was a tough year emotionally and physically.

It wasn't all bad.  I did really make some big gains on my faith and relationship with God.  I finished listening via podcast both the entire Bible and Catechism with commentary from Fr. Mike Schmitz.  It was several hundred hours of learning and reflection about God's Word and how it is supposed to be practiced in today's world.  Some things are hard for me to understand or agree with but knowing really helps me feel closer to my faith and more centered mentally.

And of course the big highlight of The Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup.  I have not been so invested in a sports team since I was a kid-if not ever.

Reflecting on the the victories and failings of 2023 does no good unless I can figure out a way to make 2024 better.  I'm not quite sure all I am going to do yet, but I do plan to write here to help me improve myself.  I think over the next few days I will document my goals and plans here.  But for now I just needed to write.

The passage of time is hard.   I wish I could go back and relive all those years and correct all the things that I know now that I am older and wiser.  But that's not gonna happen.  I just need to figure out a way to achieve all that I can in the time I have left.

Life is pretty short-but it should be long enough.  If you just figure out how to make the most of it.