In January 2020, before the first lockdown, I posted online about something I was going to do to save up some money for a treat the next Christmas. The idea was that I would put a pound coin in one of these tins (that you can get from most pound stores ironically!) every time I went to the gym, attended a class, or walked over 10K steps.

Then we had the lockdowns and the gym closed for a few months. When allowed I went out for long walks, and got some exercise in the green gym, that is, the allotment! In the past year, I got long Covid, developed diabetes, and caught lots of bugs due to the impact on my immune system, which all impacted on my ability to exercise and so I spent quite a few long periods not doing exercise at all.

As you can see, over the last few years, I have started various new tins, at different times but before I went on holiday, I decided to open them all and see how well I had done. Despite all of the above obstacles, the amount totalled £260! I usually go to the gym three times a week plus do other exercise such as walking, working at the allotment, and in the summer, paddle boarding, but my activity levels were obviously affected by being ill. However, it works out at roughly 9-10 times a month.

I'm still pretty pleased with that, and would have had no idea how much exercise I had actually done if I hadn't counted it up this way.

I'm going to spend it on my upcoming holiday and start another tin when I get back!

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