A Quarter of the Way: Lessons From 250,000 Steps
When I started this 100-day walking challenge, I thought it would be simple: lace up, hit 10,000 steps, repeat. What I didn’t realize is that the real challenge isn’t physical — it’s mental.
There have been days when the last thing I wanted to do was walk. Days when the couch looked better than the sidewalk, when work drained me, when life felt too heavy. More than once, I thought, “Maybe today doesn’t matter. Maybe I’ll just skip it.”
But here’s the truth: every time I pushed through and took those steps anyway, I discovered something bigger than the number on my tracker.
1. Discipline beats motivation.
Motivation is fickle. It shows up when things are exciting or convenient, but it disappears the moment you’re tired, stressed, or busy. Discipline, on the other hand, is the quiet voice that says, “Do it anyway.” This challenge has shown me how much stronger that voice can become when you give it practice.
2. Perfection is a trap.
I used to think if I couldn’t do something “perfectly,” it wasn’t worth doing at all. But 23… then 25… now more days in, I’ve realized that showing up imperfectly still matters. Some walks have been joyful long stretches with Summit. Others have been late-night laps in circles just to get the count in. Many have been around the work parking lot. They all count. They prove to me that progress happens in the messy middle, not just in the highlight reel.
3. Movement changes more than your body.
Yes, walking impacts digestion, hormones, and stress levels (the science backs that up). But what I didn’t expect was how much it would impact my mind. I’ve found myself stepping away from my desk more often, using walking as a reset button. I think more clearly. I feel less stuck. Movement makes space for perspective.
4. Joy multiplies when you share it.
Before her surgery, Summit was my built-in accountability partner. She never let me skip a walk. Those moments with her weren’t just “exercise” — they were connection, joy, and presence. Even now, while she recovers, I think of her every time I head out. She reminds me that health isn’t just about me — it ripples into the relationships and connections that matter most.
Why This Quarter Matters
I’m only a quarter through this challenge, but it already feels like more than a step goal. It feels like training for life. Training myself to keep showing up when it’s inconvenient. To accept “imperfect but done” over “perfect but avoided.” To remind myself that movement is medicine, not punishment.
100 days is the container. The real work is what happens in the cracks of those days — the decisions that build resilience, the lessons that remind me who I want to be.
👉 And if you’re reading this, maybe it’s a reminder for you too:
That one skipped day matters less than your ability to get back up.
That consistency is worth more than perfection.
That health isn’t something you chase once in a while — it’s something you create daily, step by step.
Here’s to the next 75 days. And here’s to showing up, even when it would be easier not to.
And soon, I’ll be sharing another challenge I’ve been quietly working on — one I was so afraid of failing that I didn’t dare say it out loud. Stay tuned, because this time, I’m choosing courage over perfection. Drop your email below for updates. ⬇️
