Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? >", "name": "mega-signin", "type": "link"}}' class="u-color--red-dark u-font--xs u-text-transform--upper u-font-weight--bold">Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? >", "name": "mega-signin", "type": "link"}}' class="u-color--red-dark u-font--xs u-text-transform--upper u-font-weight--bold">Sign In

Brands

Everyone Should Stop And Take This ‘Less Is More’ Challenge

Challenging yourself to grow often comes with goals of running more races or more miles. This challenge will flip that idea on its head.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

less is more

When we think of how we can challenge ourselves in the New Year it’s only natural (especially for runners!) to think in terms of more. How many more races, miles or hours can we do and still achieve some sort of elusive balance? Unfortunately that train of thought and action usually ends up in feelings of defeat, disappointment and failure.

This year, set yourself up to succeed by accepting a challenge of less.

I know this is a very foreign concept to a lot you overachievers out there so let me explain. Accepting the challenge of less can be done in many ways but the way I have used it in the past seems to both placate my over-organized and overachieving side, while also relieving me of guilt and stress.

Step One

Take the time to make a simple list of all the things you want to be, do and have less of in the New Year.

For example:

  • Be less frustrated with missing a workout.
  • Do less planning with girlfriends and run solo.
  • Have less expectations about what a run “should” be and just let it be.

Step Two

Take each of these and do it for just one day.

For example:

  • Day One: Less complaining
  • Day Two: Less work
  • Day Three: Less restriction
  • Day Four: Less social media
  • Day Five: Less judging
  • Day Six: Less whining
  • Day Seven: Less fear

Doing less of one thing for one day makes it insanely manageable and with each passing day you need only focus on one less thing. Imagine what happens after 10 days? A month? A year?

As we run full force into 2017, try a less is more approach and see if there’s any truth to it. You may find the “New Year, new you” you’ve been searching for all these years.

Trending on Women's Running

These Runners Were Not Prepared to Love Non-Alcoholic Beer

L. Renee Blount and Outside TV host Pat Parnell posted up at a popular trailhead, handed out free Athletic Brewing craft non-alcoholic beer, and then recorded runners’ live reactions. Want to find out what all the hype’s about? Click here to discover a world without compromise.

Keywords:

Related content from the Outside Network