This time of year you see and hear a lot about “running streaks”. Basically, a challenge of running at least a mile each day from Thanksgiving to New Years. While that’s a great challenge, running daily is not for everyone. Mostly for fear of getting injured again, running daily is not for me right now. But doing some kind of workout everyday is!
With the stress of the holiday season, I really need to stay on my daily workout schedule so I don’t completely lose my mind to make it through. I know there are lots of you who feel the same way. A few weeks back, I joined the Sweat Pink #HolidaySweat Challenge which is a great daily motivator but something was missing for me. I wasn’t really feeling connected to the challenge or particularly motivated past the first week.
I decided to start a Holiday Workout Streak for our Moms Run This Town group and invited friends to join in and commit to 20 minutes a day of purposeful exercise of any kind. We encouraged them to be creative and post about their achievements. I had no idea if anyone would want to participate at all but these ladies have blown me away with their enthusiasm so far.
Just this past week, we’ve had over 130 posts on the thread! Ladies who really never posted very much at all are posting daily and interacting with each other in a whole new way.
I believe when you actually are friends with or know the people in your challenge group, there is a whole other level of connection and motivation. Our members are cheering each other on and talking about their challenges and achievements like never before. They are loving the accountability and comaraderie developing.
The Holiday Season can be so stressful! With so many parties and temptations out there this month, it really helps to have a daily incentive to keep up the good habits we’ve been practicing all year long. Although we asked our members to do at least 20 minutes of exercise each day, it appears all of them are doing way more than that. More people are coming out for group runs and posting pictures of their at home and gym workouts as well.
Isn’t it just great the way we can all motivate and inspire each other? I am beyond thrilled with how well the Workout Streak is going so far and can’t wait to see how the next few weeks will go. Somehow knowing that all of my friends are behind me for support is very comforting.
So tell me- Are you “streaking” with your friends?
Linking up with Nicole
I am streaking as long as that is what coach says to do! He generally doesn’t do rest days but I do get light days periodically. Good luck with the holiday workout streak!
Interesting no rest days? My coach makes me take one full day off a week. Sometimes I fudge it a little don’t tell him 🙂
I have my own personal #yogastreak going. I’ve missed one day in the last couple of weeks.
I find it easier in the winter, because my body simply doesn’t fall back so I’m up an hour earlier, and most mornings I figure I might as well do some yoga.
Some days, OTOH, it’s just 5 or 10 minutes after I run.
Yoga is something I need to get back into my routine. I like hot yoga and now that it is cooler out I hope to be adding it back in more often. being on a routine is key for me.
I have been on a workout streak and not even trying. I am either teaching a class at the gym or running each day. I guess it keeps me accountable, especially now that holiday season is here.
Yes it definitely does! The holidays are hard
What a great idea to connect with friends! It would make a huge difference in enthusiasm and motivation. I also like you allowed any type of purposeful exercise. I think I could do that! I’ve never been interested in the running streaks.
thanks! The running streaks are not for everyone that’s why I think it’s going so well even in a running group.
I fell into the Runner’s World streak with some friends. Generally, after a training season I am not in shape to consider a streak, but I’m going easy (slow 1-milers) on my “off” days and so far, so good.
It really helps to keep sane during these busy days! It’s a real gift to carve that time out for yourself.
It is definitely a gift to carve out the time to take care of yourself. I am glad to hear that it is working for you!
I love your take on the streak. I’m with you – a run streak is not for me. Maybe sometime in the future I can work on a workout streak.
Thanks and yes now is not the time for you to take that on! Rest up friend
I’m doing an impromptu biking streak, it seems! I need to get myself to do a strength streak. I’ve been slacking on the weights big time (which you think I would be putting even more emphasis on, but no!).
Right now you just need to do what makes you feel good and happy. Happy is good!
Ok, LOVE this!! I did a run streak once when someone asked me to and did not like it at all, because the time I had to give to the run streak took away much needed cross-training time. Next time someone asks me to join their run streak, I’m going to tell them that instead, I will do an active streak along with theirs.
Thanks! Run streaks are not for everyone but it’s been great to have the workout streak and it gives lots of flexibility so more can join in.
I’m with you about the running streak – I couldn’t do it this year either afraid of re-injuring my ankle. I am doing a strength streak instead on my own but it’s definitely a great idea and best motivator to have friends do it along with you.
Exactly! It’s all about keeping moving right?!
I can’t run every day either but I’d totally do a workout streak! Sounds fun! 🙂
It is!
I’m not streaking, but I definitely need to do something to make sure I stay on track. Good luck with your streak!
All our members are loving it so far!
I have hard time with most Sweat Pink challenges. It’s either way to complicated with posting / tagging rules or, like you said, something is missing. I think starting your own challenge is a great idea. Bringing everyone together is epic!
It’s been really great so far!
So awesome what you guys are doing! Streaking with friends sounds so much fun. I miss my friends in NJ but am starting to make some friends here. The MRTT where I live isn’t active anymore so I was disappointed when I heard about that. I am doing the rwrunstreak and find it challenging to do when Hubby is away but glad that my little ones like to bike so I can at least get my mile in.
That’s great that they can bike while you run. You might have to start your own chapter of MRTT
I’m always streaking with my friends 🙂 Sometimes it’s just a light jog with my BFF Mr. Chow, and sometimes a more strenuous class with a human friend!
Definitely have to mix it up and just keep moving forward
I’m actually taking rest days for the first time in ages. Mostly because I have too much to do on the weekends to squeeze in a bike ride.
You had such a busy fall race schedule it’s probably good to take off a bit. See you for coffee
Awesome way to get the group involved! I don’t do streaks, never have and don’t really have a desire to. It’s too much pressure for me, lol.
It can be!
I am (was?) doing the HolidaySweat challenge too but don’t feel very connected. I felt it was almost too sales-y. I agree that connecting with those you know is probably much more motivating.
Yea I felt the same way I kind of dropped the Sweat Pink thing this week too.
I love the idea of an exercise streak. I would be scared to doing a running streak, but I can definitely exercise every day. How fun to do it with your friends! Enjoy!!
Thanks! It definitely makes it more fun to exercise with friends for motivation. I cannot do a running streak either too afraid of injury.
I LOVE the community that you guys facilitate. What a great idea, to make it a group journey!!
It really makes it so much more fun!