Day 03: The Easy Cycle of Health
If you're struggling to do what you know you should, learn this cycle. It changes things.
You’ve made it to Day 3 of the 3-Day Summer Reset Walking Challenge!
I’d love to say by now you’d be feeling like a new person, but the truth is, Day 3 of any change is often one of the hardest.
Most likely, you’ve hit a hurdle or two. For me, it’s been raining every single day of this challenge. I’ll admit, there was a part of me tempted to use that as an excuse (and a justifiable one at that). But in those moments of doubt, I paused to reframe and remind myself of my “why.”
Don’t get me wrong, I sat in my car for 20 minutes scrolling social media, trying to muster up the energy to go for my walk. But I knew deep down that sitting there wasn’t going to summon the motivation I needed. In fact, the longer I sat, the less likely I was to get out.
Ironically, once I did get out (lacking all willpower), it wasn’t more than a few blocks before I noticed the change. I felt grateful, not forced, to be moving.
That brings us to today’s lesson: The Cycle of Energy Generation
But first, a quick reminder:
Today’s step goal is 12,000 steps!
Let’s break it down:
Morning Boost: Start with a brisk walk to hit 3,000–4,000 steps before your day gets busy.
Midday Motivation: Use short breaks to move—whether it’s pacing in your house or a quick walk around the block.
Evening Celebration: End your day with a longer, reflective walk to hit your goal and acknowledge your progress.
If 12,000 steps feels daunting, consider this: the average person spends 2 hours and 23 minutes a day on social media. At a leisurely pace (3 mph), you could cover 7+ miles—that’s over 14,000 steps.
The lesson on time keeps coming back, doesn’t it?
Today’s Lesson: The Easy Cycle of Health
So, what got me out of my car on a rainy day? It wasn’t motivation—it was action.
Motivation is a myth if you’re waiting for it to come. The truth is, motivation comes from action, not the other way around. This is because movement generates energy, and energy feeds into more movement. It’s a cycle, not a linear process.
Action generates energy: Movement kickstarts your metabolism, signaling your body to produce the energy it needs to keep going.
Energy fuels more action: The energy generated by movement makes future actions feel easier and more natural.
The cycle builds momentum: With consistent engagement, your body adapts, creating a positive feedback loop that makes movement less of a chore and more of a habit.
It’s biology.
Energy production depends on doing, not waiting. Without action, energy stagnates, making it even harder to move.
That’s why the basics—like walking, eating nourishing food, and getting quality rest—are so important. They’re not just habits. They’re the foundation of your energy. The more you engage with these basics, the more energy you build to tackle bigger things in life.
Health isn’t just going to happen because health requires action. You have to do something to produce the energy required to change your body. The more energy you produce, the easier this cycle becomes. It’s the place where health is lived without added “work.”
Engaging with the basics is more a matter of your perspective than mustering up more willpower. At the same time, your metabolic health is dependent on the basics.
Whether you’ve hit every step goal or simply taken steps toward consistent movement, you’re doing it. You’re building the foundation for a summer of energy, wellness, and growth.
Today, let’s finish strong with 12,000 steps!
Let me know below if you can feel this cycle play out!
I’m cheering for you!
This is so true! I fell short of my step count amidst other activities yesterday, but I still put in the effort! The nonstop after work rain tried to deter me, but I put on my rain jacket and boots determined to add to my step count even if I fell short in the end. It was actually peaceful to walk in the light rain…and I got a blister to show for it!😅 Apparently my Muck Boots aren’t meant for a mile walk.😂
I had the day off and needed to run in town errands. So I through on a backpack and earbuds and walked those errands. A big long walk every once in a while is so so good! Not my usual way to get to those high step numbers.