I would walk 20,000 steps a day for over 2 years and learned 5 valuable lessons along the way. It all began with a public commitment to walk 20,000 steps daily and share my journey on social media. Initially, I was a runner, but I discovered my love for walking and decided to make it my primary form of exercise.

 



After five years, I wanted to inspire others to join me on this fitness journey, so I started a blog and made a grand announcement about my daily step goal. However, little did everyone know that I had already been walking 20,000 steps a day for six months before that.


 

From March 2018 to August 2020, I embarked on this incredible journey and learned some important lessons. The first lesson was the significance of planning to commit. No matter what was happening in my life, I had already decided that I would always reach 20,000 steps. This mindset made a huge difference and eliminated any doubts or uncertainties.

 

There were challenging days, like when my wife had breast cancer surgery, but I still found a way to achieve my step goal. I even paced around the hospital's parking garage to make it happen. Only once, around six months in, did I fall short by just five steps. It turned out that I had forgotten to check my step count before going to bed, and I missed out on those last few steps.

     

In the beginning, my emotions would fluctuate. Some days, I was excited and motivated to reach 20,000 steps, while other days, I lacked the enthusiasm. I vividly remember a cold and rainy afternoon, about two months into my journey, when I questioned my decision. But despite the doubts, I persevered and pushed through.

 

Walking 20,000 steps a day for over 2 years was an incredible experience that taught me valuable lessons. It showed me the power of commitment, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges. I am grateful for this journey and the positive impact it has had on my life.

 

1.The Importance of a Pre-decision to Commit:

•Making a firm decision beforehand to achieve a daily goal helps eliminate uncertainty.

•Despite life challenges, having a pre-decision mindset ensures consistency in reaching the set target.

2.Use the Emotional Payoff as Motivation:

•Emotions may fluctuate, but the consistent feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day serves as powerful motivation.

•Recognizing the emotional benefits can help push through challenging moments.


3.The Power of Personal Competition:

•Competing against oneself is a significant motivator.

•Setting personal challenges fosters self-improvement and can extend beyond the initial commitment.

4.The Realization I Can Do Hard Things:

•Consistently accomplishing a challenging goal builds resilience and confidence.

•Facing and conquering difficult tasks reinforces one's belief in their capabilities.

5.My True Strength:

•Beyond physical benefits, the journey enhances emotional and mental strength.

•Demonstrating the ability to sustain a challenging routine for an extended period changes internal narratives and expands perceived capabilities.

The decision to stop walking 20,000 steps a day was based on a desire for balance and control over one's life. The author emphasizes that extreme fitness activities should enhance life rather than control it.

In conclusion, the story encourages individuals to start with achievable commitments and gradually build on them, emphasizing the importance of incorporating fitness into a balanced and sustainable lifestyle.