I walked 1657 miles. This wasn’t an extreme fitness goal… it happened because of intentional consistency, more daily movement, and adding running into my routine. This isn’t to gloat or be boastful, but instead I want to tell you about what it taught me. I want to inspire you to move more, challenge yourself, and step into 2026 with confidence. 

Movement became part of my identity in 2025 (and still here in 2026). I added some running, not marathon training, and that contributed to the high mileage. These miles represent not just steps, but mindset shifts, discipline, and choosing hard things on purpose. Here’s what I learned.

Lesson 1: Challenging yourself is a good thing

Too many women choose the easy route. They avoid discomfort and don’t try new things. There were many days I was too tired, had too much work, or way too many other obligations that I didn’t want to walk and felt like it would be hard to incorporate it into my day. But I did it anyway. And what I learned from doing it anyway is that challenge actually builds confidence and makes everything else in life feel much easier. In 2026, pick one thing you don’t think you can do and try it anyway!

Lesson 2: More Movement = More Energy

Most women believe they’re ‘too tired’ to move. There have been times in my life when I have definitely felt this. But the truth is, movement creates energy. If I’m having a day where my stress levels are high, and I’m not sure how I can get everything done, I take time for a walk. Every time I have done this, I come back with more clarity, more energy, and a better attitude and outlook on the tasks I need to get done. 

More movement is directly correlated with more energy, a better mood, more creativity, lower stress levels, and more patience. I have learned this from experience and have also heard that others who walk regularly enjoy those same benefits. Walking and light running are truly the most accessible and underrated forms of fitness. I want to encourage you to aim for daily movement. Not perfection.

Lesson 3- It all starts in your mindset

Walking 1,657 miles begins with a single thought: “I’m doing this.” Of course, just one thought, one time, will be hard to carry you through a long journey of walking 1,657 miles. Let me break down the mindset that helped me stay consistent.

• Showing up when it wasn’t convenient. There were many times when walking felt like it wouldn’t be convenient (soccer game, camping, etc). Continuing during these times made me more confident that I could continue long-term. 
• Choosing identity over motivation. There were many days when I was not motivated to walk. If I had let my motivation dictate whether or not I walked, I probably wouldn’t have made it. Instead, I chose identity. I wanted to be someone who could follow through and get regular movement. 
• Not quitting on myself. I told myself over and over, “I can do it.” I wanted to be a constant reminder to myself that I can do it without quitting. 

You don’t need a huge goal – just daily movement. Start with 5-10 minutes and build. Your mindset will make or break your consistency. If you want 2026 to be the year you move your body more, surprise yourself, and step into a stronger mindset, I hope this encourages you to challenge your limits, rethink what’s possible, and take small daily steps that lead to big results.

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