For as long as I’ve been running I’ve always kept track of my yearly running mileage. If it didn’t surpass 1000 miles in the least, I felt less than accomplished. After a few years, I operated under the approach that it had to be at least 1200 miles in a year, so I averaged at least 100 miles a month. 

But sometimes, life deals you some blows and you can’t reach those same levels. For me, it was a thyroid cancer diagnosis and a few surgeries. I just haven’t bounced back to the same level yet. I was getting super frustrated that my running mileage was lower than usual this year. Digging into the data told me that I have other successes and there are ways to celebrate those. 

All the Miles Count

If miles are still your jam, track ALL the miles you covered. I have been riding my stationary bike a lot this year and I have covered more virtual distance on that than ever before. I have walked a lot more since I got a puppy at the start of the year. Large breed dogs shouldn’t go on regular runs until they’re over a year old to allow their bones to grow, but we walk a lot! 

Tracking Trails

Another fun approach could be to keep track of the number of trails you tackle. Lace up the hiking shoes and either count the number of trails you hiked or attempt to find so many new trails in a timespan. There is a list of peaks around my area that people try to complete and it doesn’t matter more or less if a person hikes, runs, or bikes up those trails. The point is that you accomplished something. 

Attempt a New Sport

I know myself well enough that I’m not going to become a golfer or scuba diver. It still could be entertaining to try a different sport. Emphasis on the entertaining… you don’t have to be great at something your first attempt. Or even your hundredth attempt. Sometimes it’s just about exploring the world and seeing what’s out there. You may discover that you love volleyball or hate soccer… but you won’t truly know if you’ve never tried, right? 

Let it Go

Ultimately, we can all take a cue from Elsa and just let it go. Move in ways that feel good and make you happy without quantifying them. Ditch the tracking and just exist in the moment. I recognize that I am terrible at this advice… but I’m trying to be better at it. 

In the end, I think it’s more important to “celebrate” that you’re doing something good for yourself than “measuring” your efforts. So please share some of the ways you celebrate your fitness achievements!