This week, I’m celebrating the small wins. Nothing that requires a lap of honour or Gary building another trophy shelf, just the little signs that things are moving in the right direction.
And with winter creeping in, I think those deserve a mention!
My trainers are earning their keep, we’re two weeks into our Seven Weeks to 5K, and I’m getting faster! Considering those new trainers spent quite a while waiting patiently for me to remember what running was, I’m rather pleased.
It’s a lovely reminder that you don’t need to wait until the end of a challenge to celebrate. There’s progress happening along the way, whether that’s a quicker run, finding your rhythm or simply getting out when you said you would.
For me, having a programme and doing it alongside everyone else makes such a difference. Helping others keeps me motivated too. We’re all giving each other that wee nudge to keep going.
But the scales are being contrary!
My body-fat reading is down 2%, but my weight is up a pound… Naturally, my first thought was, “That’ll be muscle, then!” A very convenient explanation, and one I’d happily accept.
But a single reading can’t tell me that for certain. Body-fat measurements and weight can fluctuate, so I’m keeping an eye on the bigger picture rather than letting one number decide how I feel.
I’m running faster, keeping up my training and seeing encouraging changes. That’s much more useful than having an argument with the bathroom scales before breakfast and letting it set the mood of the day, and it’s something I want us all to remember during our Christmas Body Transformation Challenge: progress deserves more than one measurement.
Mr Paddington has had his winter makeover
Paddington is now clipped and ready to start his winter season of training too.
One of us has had a professional haircut to prepare. The other has tied her hair up and hoped for the best and as fellow horse owners I don’t need to tell you which is which.
At least we’re both heading into winter with something to work towards. I’ll be focusing on my running and fitness, while Paddington gets back into his training routine. Hopefully, his programme will involve slightly fewer freestyle field gymnastics. We can but dream!
It’s easy to overlook progress when you’re busy looking at the next goal. We notice what still needs work and forget what’s already improved.
You don’t need a personal best, a smaller dress size or a competition result to have something worth celebrating. Perhaps you made time for a class, found an exercise a little easier or finished a lesson feeling more confident.
Especially when we’re juggling work, family, horses and dark evenings, those things matter.
So this week, I’m taking my quicker runs, my encouraging progress and my freshly clipped training partner as wins – no rosette required.
What’s your win this week? Share something that’s moving in the right direction, however small, because feeling good about something improves your health.
Lauren x
