When we started the I Think I Can Challenge, I knew there would be good days and hard days. No, matter what I had planned I also knew the LORD might have other plans for me. Which is what happened on Sunday and even Monday when life had a way of reminding us that we don’t always get to stick to the plan.
Sunday was one of those days. Somehow, I managed to hurt my ankle. I honestly don’t know exactly what I did, but when I would try and walk it would start hurting. By the time I realized it wasn’t going to stop hurting, I knew I needed to slow down. If you’ve followed our family for very long, you know I’m usually the first person who wants to push through and finish what I started. But I’ve also learned that sometimes the wisest thing we can do is listen to our bodies.
That doesn’t always come easy. I’ve spent years taking care of our family, keeping up with projects around the house, blogging, creating content, and trying to make memories with the people I love. It’s easy to think that slowing down means we’re falling behind. The truth is, sometimes slowing down keeps us moving forward.
Even with an injured ankle, I still managed to get in 3,083 steps, walked for 33 minutes, burned 95 active calories, covered 1.46 miles, and burned 1,417 total calories throughout the day.
Were those the numbers I hoped for? Not even close. But they were the numbers my body allowed me to accomplish, and that’s enough. If I had pushed for more I knew I would be done for a couple days and as a mom, wife, business owner and dog walker that wouldn’t have been acceptable.
One thing this challenge is teaching me is that progress isn’t measured by one perfect day. It’s measured by choosing to keep going, even when the path looks different than we expected. I know there will be days when I exceed my goals. There will also be days like this one when simply getting out of bed and moving a little is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
This challenge isn’t about proving anything to anyone else. It’s about becoming a healthier version of myself one step at a time. If my ankle feels better, I’ll work toward catching up tomorrow. If it doesn’t, I’ll give myself the grace to heal before pushing harder. I’ve learned that ignoring pain rarely helps, and I’d rather miss one day than several weeks because I refused to rest.
Maybe you’re reading this because your own goals didn’t go as planned this week. Maybe you missed a workout. Maybe life interrupted your schedule. Maybe you’re discouraged because your numbers don’t look like someone else’s. Can I encourage you today?
Don’t quit. One slow day doesn’t erase all the progress you’ve already made. One setback doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is rest, recover, and begin again tomorrow. That’s exactly what I plan to do. Because I still believe…
I think I can.
Sunday’s Progress
- Steps: 3,083
- Walking Time: 33 minutes
- Active Calories: 95
- Total Calories Burned: 1,417
- Distance: 1.46 miles
Before you leave, don’t forget to download today’s free I Think I Can Challenge printable to record your own daily progress. Whether your day exceeded your expectations or didn’t go as planned, every step is still part of your story. Keep tracking your journey, celebrate every victory, and remember that consistency is built one day at a time.
I Think I Can Challenge
💧 Water & 🚶 Walking Daily Tracker
| Goal (Glasses) | Completed |
|---|---|
| 1 | ☐ |
| 2 | ☐ |
| 3 | ☐ |
| 4 | ☐ |
| 5 | ☐ |
| 6 | ☐ |
| 7 | ☐ |
| 8 | ☐ |
| Date | Steps | Minutes Walked | Miles | How I Felt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ____________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | ______________________ |
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
