Iโm so happy to see the action on this group!!
I know some of us havenโt been able to be consistent and that got me thinking about how we can make this walking (or moving) challenge easier to stick with.
One of the best things Iโve learned from Atomic Habits is this: itโs less about willpower and more about identity. Instead of saying โIโm trying to walk more,โ shift it to โIโm someone who moves every day.โ
Now, what does a person who moves every day actually do? They build little habits that just flow into each other. Thatโs where habit stacking comes in. Basically, you take something you already do and attach a new habit to it.
For example, hereโs how part of my day looks:
I wake up โ drink warm water with lemon (itโs right there between the bedroom and the door to the outside)
โ Then walk Pepper (carry my phone so I track some steps)
โ Back in โ coffee + prayer/meditation
โ prep for class โ after class โ feed Pepper (and me!)
โ take my Omega supplement (again placed near the breakfast table where I cannot miss it + I have a reminder on my phone)
โ wash the dishes (so i give my breakfast time to settle; Meenu Preethi Balaji suggested we wait at least 20-30 minutes after a meal)
โ I go for my walk โ come back and do some myofascia/yin/hatha/theraband/weights.
See how one thing just feeds into the next? Iโm not forcing myself to remember a dozen separate tasks; itโs just a rhythm.
To weave the same into your own routine, this is the formula:
After I [current habit], I will [movement habit].
Some ideas you might try:
After I pour my morning coffee, Iโll do a shoulder roll.
After I check my messages, Iโll move for one minute.
After I put my plate in the sink, Iโll stretch or do a twist.
After I brush my teeth, Iโll stand tall and take 3 deep breaths.
Little by little, it adds up, and before you know it, youโre not โtrying to move,โ you are someone who moves. Thatโs just who you are.
Whatโs one habit you already do that you could stack movement onto?