Pushup Habit: Update and "Ah Ha" Moments

Moving towards January and the time of year when people go "All in" on new year's resolutions, I thought it would be a good time to share an update and some "ah ha" moments from my pushup habit that I've shared here on the Zen Blog, starting back in September. If you haven't read them, you can find them here (in order)... 👇

How you can do 200 Pushups in 3 Weeks by Embracing Small Daily Habits

Small Habit UPDATE: "The Pushups"

Heading into 2026, here's some updates on what this little habit has brought me since late September....

☯ I'm writing this on Dec 24th, 2025. As of this morning, my body has done 690 pushups (and counting), with next to NO effort or brain power.

☯ It's cemented as a part of my workdays in particular. It's just something I do now. And it's becoming more regular on weekends at home as well.

☯ It's a foundation for me. No matter what my day brings, my energy level or attitude on any given day, I know I can get my 10-pushups done.

☯ It's a discipline if you will. If I didn't put this habit into play back in September, would I have even done 100 pushups by now? Good chance I wouldn't have. It's become like brushing your teeth or making the bed; it's just something I do that is PART OF my days. This speaks to how we desperately need to look at ALL of our health practices in this way - As PART of our days. A part that GIVES more than it TAKES as well.

☯ It's become a check-in for me. It's a quick and easy way I get to tune into what my body is telling me to start my day. Am I tired? Am I feeling great? Do I think I'm tired, but I'm actually feeling energized? Do I need to consider a more gentle approach to my health pratices today, or can I push things a bit? THIS ah-ha moment has been my most recent one. And here's the thing: It took over 600 pushups to LEARN/REALIZE it. Once again, proving that small habits OVER TIME create big change.

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I've worked with my OMM (One Moment / Minute Meditation) habit in parallel to my pushup habit and interestingly it's been in play VERY similarly to my pushups, because it's been the same approach. So cool!

Why am I sharing this heading into the new year? Because every single year we make these grand new year's resolutions, that are so POLAR OPPOSITE of what we're doing or where we're at right now with our health that (if we're lucky) they'll last until the end of February.

I've shared before that I'm not a new year's resolution guy, though I'm not oppose to having a goal of course. Here's what I propose:

☯ GO SMALL with your goal(s)!!! So small you think it's STUPID. If it's so "stupid" then there's ZERO reason you can't make it happen right? MAKE IT HAPPEN, then build from THERE.

☯ LEAVE the GRAND scale stuff, not out of mind, but in the future. Focus on the small DAILY practices that will LEAD YOU in the direction of your goal. Keep your attention and energy on the PROCESS. The outcome in the future is out of your control, but the practices RIGHT NOW ARE in your control.

☯ Build on SMALL habits over the course of the WHOLE YEAR. Rather than the "all or nothing" new years resolution that's unrealistic or too big, too soon - Why not start with a couple SMALL, SIMPLE habits and build from there. If by the end of the year, you've kept up even a handful of little habits (even if they don't get bigger), you've done more than most people with their ONE big resolution that they left behind back in January or February. This also means, you're different than you were (in healthy, positive ways) just 1-year ago. Isn't that what most of us want!?

☯ Do YOURSELF and YOUR health a favour: If you've been the "new year's resolution" person in the past and have been successful, DON'T change a thing! It's working! Good for you! If you've been unsuccessful, year after year with your "new year's resolutions" - CHANGE your approach. It's NOT working. Do something different to increase the chance that the OUTCOME will be different for you.

☯ Lastly, whether you're ignoring the thoughts and guidance here (to go small and easy) or you're holding onto every word... START NOW! TODAY. Whenever you're reading this. START. Don't wait until January 1st. YOU deserve to be a healthier version of you NOW.

STOP jumping so BIG and BLINDLY.

START creating habits that are DO-ABLE and that LAST.