Tag: walking

Day 9 of the 7-40 Challenge: Conquering Life’s Gravity and Staying in Motion

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, fellow goal-chasers! If you’re just joining me on this wild ride, welcome aboard. For the uninitiated, the 7-40 Challenge is my personal quest to nail down seven daily habits over the next 40 days. The goal? Crystal-clear clarity, unstoppable momentum, and real, tangible progress toward the things that matter to me. We’re talking exercise, healthy eating, gratitude, and more—small steps adding up to massive leaps.

Today marks Day 9, and honestly, it feels like a milestone already. Nine days might not sound like much in the grand scheme, but let me tell you: I’m reclaiming something I didn’t even realize I’d lost. Rhythm. The kind where your body and mind sync up, and everything just… flows. As I shared a few days back, one of Newton’s famous laws hits home here: A body in motion tends to stay in motion—unless acted upon by an outside force. And what is that force? In physics, it’s gravity. In life? It’s life itself.

The Pull of Life’s Gravity

Think about it. We build these incredible routines—the habits that propel us forward, keep us healthy, focused, and thriving. But then, bam! Gravity strikes. A sudden illness knocks you off your feet. A job loss shakes your foundation. Or, like in my case, a big move turns your world upside down. These aren’t just minor hiccups; they’re forces that can yank us out of orbit if we’re not vigilant.

If we slack on those daily commitments—the ones that make us better—we end up stalled. Inertia sets in, and restarting feels like pushing a boulder uphill. I’ve been there, and it’s exhausting. But here’s the silver lining: recognizing this pattern is the first step to breaking free.

My Own Gravity-Defying Story

Let me get real with you. Recently, I landed a new job that meant uprooting my family and moving 200 miles away. On paper, it doesn’t sound epic—it’s not across continents or anything. But after nine years in our old home? That place was our sanctuary. Nine years of comfort, accumulated “stuff,” deep-rooted memories, and a rock-solid routine that kept us grounded.

The move? Total chaos. Everything flipped: our daily rhythms, our sense of normalcy, even the little things like knowing where the nearest good restaurant was. We arrived in our new spot feeling disoriented, like we’d been hurled into a storm. It is taking time to navigate the mess, rebuild from scratch, and fight that inertia. But we are doing it. Slowly, we are clawing our way back to motion—finding new grooves, establishing fresh habits, and emerging stronger.

Why share this? Because it’s a reminder that every single day is a fresh shot at progress. We all face our own versions of gravity—big or small. The question is: Will you let it drag you down, or will you commit to staying in motion?

Momentum in Action: My Wins So Far

Nine days in, and the proof is in the pudding. I’ve been focused on executing my exercise goal: an hour a day, no excuses. One epic day, I logged 18,000 steps—and my aching feet lived to tell the tale! I’ve mixed it up with yoga to work out the stiff and sore spots, hit the weights a time or two to build strength, and just moved in ways that feel natural and invigorating. My body is responding—I’m sleeping better, thinking clearer, and yeah, starting to feel good again. Like, really good.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence. These habits are my shield against gravity, and they’re working wonders.

A Note of Gratitude—and a Challenge for You

Before I wrap this up, I want to say thank you. Seriously, from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for reading these ramblings, for hanging out with me on this journey, and for being part of the routine that’s keeping me accountable. It means the world.

My prayer for you? That you’ve got big, audacious goals staring you down. That you’ve battled your own inertia, gotten your body (and dreams) in motion, and crafted a daily plan to fend off life’s gravitational pulls. If it’s clicking for me after just nine days, imagine what it could do for you. I am excited to see where the journey takes us. 

Stay strong, keep moving. Day 10 drops tomorrow—see you then! What’s one habit you’re committing to today? Drop it in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other. 

Day 4 of the 740 Challenge: Getting Back in the Groove – A Body in Motion Stays in Motion

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey everyone, welcome to day 4 of my 740 Challenge! For those just tuning in, this is my personal quest to hit 7 goals daily for 40 days practicing consistent habits – think exercise, learning, and all the good stuff that keeps life balanced. 

Today, I’m reflecting on something that’s been a game-changer (and sometimes a stumbling block) in my fitness journey: the simple truth that a body in motion stays in motion. It’s straight out of Newton’s first law of physics, but dang if it doesn’t apply perfectly to health and fitness too.

Let me paint the picture from my own life. When I’m locked into a solid exercise routine – whether it’s hitting the weights, going for brisk walks, or even just doing a little bit of yoga – everything clicks. My body feels looser and more flexible, like I’ve oiled up some rusty joints. The nagging aches? Gone. Inflammation? Way down. I wake up energized, move through the day without that mid-afternoon slump, and honestly, I feel unstoppable. But here’s the kicker: once I start feeling that good, I often forget what got me there. The routine becomes invisible, almost taken for granted. “Hey, I’m doing great – maybe I can skip today for some extra Nintendo,” I tell myself. One skip turns into two, then a week, and before I know it, the stiffness creeps back, the inflammation flares up, and I’m hurting again. Only then do I slap my forehead and realize: oh right, the exercise was the root cause of all that goodness. Back to square one.

Sound familiar? If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. This complacency cycle is a super common trap. Psychologically, it’s tied to things like adaptation – we get used to feeling awesome so quickly that we stop appreciating the effort behind it. Add in present bias, where the lure of immediate rest or fun outweighs those long-term gains, and you’ve got a recipe for yo-yo habits. From what I’ve seen (and heard from so many others), this hits busy adults hard. Life throws curveballs – work stress, social plans, or just plain boredom – and suddenly, consistency flies out the window.

For instance, in 2022 I gave myself 100 days to get back into shape and work on important habits. So, in a challenge much like this one, I was able to drop over 30 pounds and I was feeling great. I lost the weight just before Christmas that year and broke my routine for just a bit to enjoy the holidays. Remember that body in motion? Yep, it didn’t stay in motion. It got tripped up by cookies and pie and eggnog and pie and….more pie…you get the picture. I was feeling good before Christmas and I was not feeling good at all by the time it was done. It took me several weeks to shake the rust and get back to work. However, the damage had been done and I had already gained back some of the weight I had lost.

So, how do we break this loop? For me, especially on this 740 Challenge, it’s about making my exercise routine non-negotiable. I have to build accountability by setting daily goals and reporting progress (like I’m doing here!). I remind myself it has to be done. If I slip up even a tiny bit? I jump back in quick – never missing twice.

Today, as I write this, I’m grateful for this reflection. It’s day 4, and I’m already feeling that groove settling in. No slacking this time; I’m committed to keeping this body in motion. What’s your biggest fitness cycle story? Have any wins you are willing to share? Drop it in the comments – let’s motivate each other!

Stay tuned for more updates on the challenge. Thanks for reading! 🚀