My daily walk time has dropped from 45 minutes to 32 minutes over the last three months

I walk the same 2.1 mile loop around my neighborhood every morning. For years, it always took me about 45 minutes to finish it. I never really pushed myself, just a steady pace. About three months ago, I started parking my phone on the kitchen counter before I left, so I wouldn't check it. I just focused on the walk itself. I didn't think much of it, but I started noticing I was getting home sooner. I checked my old watch and sure enough, my time was dropping. This morning I finished in 32 minutes flat. I think the only real change was removing that small distraction, which let me naturally pick up my pace without even trying. It's a tiny win, but it feels good to see that steady progress without it being a big, stressful effort. Has anyone else noticed a change like this from just one small habit switch?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendy20527d ago

Actually, I have to disagree with the idea that the phone was just a small distraction. It was a major one. That constant pull to check it fragments your attention completely. Your mind can't settle into the task at hand, which in this case was just walking. Without it, your body and brain sync up and you operate more efficiently. It's not about finding a natural rhythm so much as finally letting your focus be whole. That's why the time drop is so significant.

morganj8127d ago

Yeah that's actually a thing I read about somewhere, how just putting your phone down can make you move faster without even trying. Your brain isn't split between walking and thinking about notifications, so your body just finds its natural rhythm. Shaving 13 minutes off is huge, that's basically free time you just got back every day. Makes me want to try leaving my phone behind more often, lol.