#MondayMotivation - A Healthier Mike: March 2020

I don’t want to be anything
Other than what I’ve been trying to be lately
— Gavin DeGraw "I Don't Want To Be"

Quick Stats

Total steps: 446,305

Average daily steps: 14,397

Highest daily steps: 24,467

Lowest daily steps: 6,427

Total miles walked/ran/hiked: 140.36

Total miles hiked: 8.5

Total miles ran: 27.7

Sleep stats: 6:03 per night average, 4 over 7 hours and 15 between 6-7 hours

Days of Activity: 28


A morning run!

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The Good Stuff

  • Hiked twice - one of them being at my favorite local spot and one during a conference call on a Saturday *shrug*

  • Managed to average just over 6 hours of sleep each night and only had a few nights of less than stellar sleep

  • I had 31% more activity than March 2019

  • The length of daily activity was up from February and way up from last year

  • I hit 140 miles of activity - that’s 36 more miles than February!

  • My habits have changed and even when I have pizza and beer, I’m still doing OKAY because life isn’t about cutting shit out.

  • I’m continuing to see more definition in my legs and that’s motivation!

  • I completed Week 8 of Couch 2 10K and I’m loving running more and more.

  • I’m down another 11.6 pounds this month, making that 31.5 for 2020 so far.

  • I’m working from home, during this pandemic, so walks and runs are happening more frequently.

  • I ran two miles without stopping, and then started Week 9 by running 3.47 miles.

  • My other half is working on health and fitness, which makes this even easier to do at home together.

  • I’m UNDER 300 pounds. This is a big deal for me.

  • It’s been three-four months of changed habits, better food choices, and working around things I can’t live without; I have a new life and I’m still going.


The Not-So-Good

  • I haven’t worked out in a proper gym since the middle of March and it’s not looking good for April. I need to invest in some dumbbells for at home. My muscle goals are not huge, I just want to maintain and build strength so I can continue to lose fat. Healthy weight.

  • I had some terribly lazy days in March. My body did not want to move some days, and that’s okay. Going forward, if I find myself on day of blah, I’m going to at least try to do a 2-mile loop to see if it works to energize my brain.

  • I have been consuming empty calories during this pandemic - mostly in the form of alcohol and snacks - so I’m going to continue to be more conscious of this and pick and choose when it means the most to do those things.

  • I had to readjust my sleep schedule to overcome insomnia. I’m working to maintain normalcy during this time of social isolation and working from home.

  • I’ve changed jobs, which is great, but I’ve lost my lunchtime workout buddies. Yeah, the pandemic halted that anyway, but they will not be there for me afterwards and I’m not sure I’ve accepted it yet.


Technically woke up in a tent on March 1, to the warm sunshine.

Technically woke up in a tent on March 1, to the warm sunshine.

Mental Health

  • My trips for April, May, and June are all canceled or rescheduled. It’s not exactly fun, inspiring, or good news. I know it’s for the overall good of the world, but I need a minute to mourn.

  • Working from home has been stressful in that it is the busiest time of year and I’m way behind on work which stresses me out and makes me irritable/withdrawn

  • During times of social distancing, I’ve had a lot of conference calls and fun video chats with friends. Makes life way better!

  • Exercise is part of routine and the routine makes me happy.

  • Not commuting during this time of pandemic has reduced my stress by 50% at least. I am dreading the day when we have to all crawl on the freeway to get to work again.

  • I haven’t been writing as much, and maybe I need to get some stuff out.

  • I became obsessed with the daily weight on my scale and it was dumb. I stopped weighing myself for a week and self-corrected. The weight isn’t even the main goal with me, it’s simply being healthier and happier.

  • I had a great evening with two wonderful friends and we booked a fall trip, pending the way the pandemic plays out. Camping and exploring Rainier and Olympic - two of my favorite spots with two fun people is going to be just what I need after this whole first half of the year.


Dinosaur Valley State Park - creek crossing

Dinosaur Valley State Park - creek crossing

A glorious hike at North Cascades National Park - Cascade Pass trail

Thoughts, Notes, Conclusions

  • I am on the right path. I’m still working towards a healthier life and I’ve made a number of permanent changes that are keeping me on the track.

  • I am tracking my food. I’m tracking everything I eat - whether it fits that plan for the day or not. It’s about honesty and transparency. If I keep myself honest, I will know how to adjust to avoid problem areas. I’ll never give up good beer, pizza, or pasta and I don’t have to as long as I even it out and kind of plan for anything.

  • I’ve settled on some personal goals regardless of anyone else and their goals. I’ve developed my own goals, plans for reaching them, and opinion about working out. SO thankful for everyone who helps me on a daily basis adhere to them.

  • I’m better than I was before. March was great and had a few missteps, but that’s life. I worked hard, ran farther, and continued on my path to a more balanced daily diet. These changes aren’t like the fad diets of the past. I’ve created a sustainable way to live and love life through food and exercise.


March run selfies.

March run selfies.

Spring has sprung.

Spring has sprung.

Goals For April

  • Read a Damn Book!
    This is a real issue for me! I want to read the books, but I am not taking the time to do it and it shows. I have a shelf of new books, thanks to one of my many mothers, and I just need to devote some time!

  • Less Fake Shit, More Citrus Shit
    I consume a large quantity of sparkling water with various squeezes of flavoring thanks in part to our SodaStream. My goal is to replace some of the squeeze stuff with lemon and lime juice instead.

  • Social Media Break (3 days, at least)
    I had a half day off in March, so I’m going to work towards a full weekend in April. Being that we’re all stuck at home now, it’s a little more challenging when trying to stay in touch. But, I’m going to try!

  • Run Forrest! I’m going to try to add a fourth day of running each week - just for shits and giggles.

  • Keep going! I keep adding miles and the goal will be to get a month with 200! Until then, this will be on the goal list.

  • FOUR Hikes in April
    REALLY hoping that we can start hiking a bit further from home again… If not, I’ll be hitting up my local spots over and over until they’re boring.

  • Yogi the Yoga Bear I am going to add yoga once a week, that’s easy enough to try.

  • 150 Miles. I had 140 in March, why not 150 in April? (maybe the weather, who knows, but we’re gonna try!)

  • I am aiming for 50%+ vegetarian. I am working to make my breakfasts and lunches more veggie focused - still a work in progress.

My favorite trees along my daily walk and run route.

My favorite trees along my daily walk and run route.