Why I walked 80,000 steps in one day...

For me, nutrition, has always been about more than the food on my plate. I talked about that more in this post as it’s such a big part of why Boost Your Bowl was born.

When I went plant-based in 2011, it opened my mind to a whole new way of approaching my life and it became the gateway to finding my best self in body, mind and spirit.

I've also been a very active person for my entire life. Constantly being ferried between different after school clubs by my parents in my childhood years. Then in my adult years, being an avid gym-goer and pole fitness instructor.

Last year, I joined an OCR Sports Training team, which has been such a wonderful opportunity to feel part of a team again. Something I'd been missing for so long without realising as I’ve working for myself from home since the beginning of 2013. Interestingly it also re-awakened my competitive side that I thought I'd long-buried! (to the extent the guys on the team nicknamed me ‘Competitive Jo’)

I've taken part in a few team challenges and group runs during lockdown which has helped keep me sane and stay connected and also helped create a sense of forward momentum whilst living in a time of such uncertainty.

But yesterday, I did something that was one of my biggest personal challenges yet.

I walked 80,000 steps, which was a total of approximately 70 kilometres, in aid of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. This was part of a wider sponsored fitness challenge I’d been involved with over the last few months, but this particular challenge I took on solo.

I set out armed with a massive tub of overnight oats, (packed with plenty of Toppers of course) and I made a big batch of chocolate bliss balls to keep my energy up. I’ll share my favourite bliss ball recipe on the blog soon.

I started walking at 7:15am in a village near Newmarket and then I proceeded to walk back the Icknield Way trail towards my end point in Bedfordshire, closer to home. It took just over 13 hours on non-stop walking and was dark by the end. It also rained pretty heavily in the afternoon, so I was cold, wet and totally exhausted by the time I completed it.

This was the pic I shared on Facebook the day before…

In times like these that I realise the mind and the body are such a powerful tag team.

When I say nutrition is about 'so much more than the food on my plate', I truly believe it to be the most powerful start point to create our solid, strong foundation. But it is by no means the only piece in the puzzle.

We need to fuel our bodies well, but it's so often out minds that will get us over the biggest hurdles, or indeed it is often our minds that can block our way.

When we bring our mind into the equation and more deeply delve into our own personal development in a holistic way, this is where the magic truly happens.

For me, yesterday was the perfect example of that in my own life.

I'd been feeling a bit lethargic and a bit low in motivation and if I'm honest, struggling with feelings of anxiety in the weeks coming out of lockdown.

But I also know that, for me, movement is always the most powerful tool to bring me back into my body and bring me back into an empowered mental attitude.

So I took that knowledge and applied it.

This is my story, but I am sure I am not alone in these feelings. So I encourage you, if you're feeling a bit low on motivation, a bit 'meh', or disempowered and unsure of how to navigate the next weeks and months to come.

Take back your power.

Shake things up.

Fuel your body and mind in the ways that you know serve you best and allow that momentum to build. I promise, good nutrition and moving your body will never fail to elevate your life.

Push yourself to the edge of your comfort zone and lean into that space where fear and excitement co-exist, whatever that might look like for you.

That is always the space where the magic happens.

Me when i’d finished over 13 hours later. Cold, wet and aching… but very proud!

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