Every once in a while, I like to ask you a question or two. And I’ve got one for you today.
It was last October when I launched my Monthly Fitness Challenge (can you believe that? a whole year of fitness challenges already?), and I’ll be posting my new challenge for you in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I’ve been wondering how you’re doing in your fitness/movement life? Specifically, I’d like to know . . .
What is ONE fitness or movement related thing that you can do NOW . . . that you didn’t/couldn’t do a year ago?
Your answer does NOT need to be related at all with my monthly fitness challenges (although if it does, COOL). But it should be something physical that you can do now . . . that you couldn’t do a year ago.
Maybe you’ve established a regular walking routine. Maybe you can bend over and tie your shoes. Maybe you can get up and down off the floor a bit more easily. Or do a plank. Or turn a cartwheel. Maybe you skip every day. Maybe it’s Kegels or stretches or picking up some dumbells or lifting your arms over your head.
Anything.
I want to know!
I’d love to hear your fitness/movement story!
I’ve been practicing getting up off the floor ever since you first proposed it. I’m still awkward with it but it’s definitely easier than when I started! And I notice it sometimes outside of the actual daily practice, too. Even if I don’t always engage with one of your monthly fitness challenges, I find it really useful and an excellent reminder to just.do.something.
I can play PickleBall! That hand eye thing can be a challenge!
I’ve been walking and practicing getting off the floor. I’m more than awkward getting off the floor but hope to get better with more practice.
Your monthly challenges have been wonderful. Presented in a clear and approachable way!
I’ve been doing your “body weight squats” right from the beginning. As well as pretty faithfully the balance challenge and the getting down (and up!) from the floor. A good complement to my pre-existing commitment to walking.
I knew I needed to do more than simply walk. You helped me get started doing a bit more. Thank you.
I’ve made one more step towards going back to the Arthrofit gym for balance and strengthening classes. I had to get Mylo trained (he is better behaved and I can now safely walk him). The Arthro gym was closed for almost a year and I have had the summer of all summers and now it’s back to taking care of me. I started weight training at home and it’s going to be fabulous and fun. I could’t help but think of you when I started!
I am not perfect at getting up, hands free… but gosh, I am so much better! I would not have even known about that if it had not been for you!
Sorry, so far about the same. But I did “graduate” to the next level of hand weights.
I’ve maintained things and at my age, I’m happy with that. I can get up off the floor with no hands, but usually use one finger so I don’t throw my back out! I still have trouble with downward dog and holding a plank very long due to arthritis in my shoulders, but I can modify! I can still squat and bend over to tie my shoes. And I still take a nice long walk almost every day. Thanks for all of your encouragement!
Body weight squats for the win! It’s not that I couldn’t stand up from sitting without pushing with my arms, but your post called my attention to the fact that I usually pushed. So I made a point of not using my arms and I can tell I’m much stronger — and how in danger I was of losing that muscle strength. So, thank you! (Another favorite: the right way to pick something up off the floor. I’m not consistent yet, but I’m better.)
I am holding steady with stretching, weights, and walking. I have been working a little on balance and feel like I can hold a one-legged stance as in just lifting a leg knee high and a tree-pose with more balance. Not perfect but it all counts – as far as I’m concerned.
Upon reflection I thought I’d ask if others out there were more symptomatic in the colder months? I tend to feel more like my younger self in summer – including with balance.
I can run again! I took a while off from it because of some weird hip injury, but I decided to give it a try again and so far it’s been good. I’ve also found that I do really well with interval training, and now I can usually do between 7 and 8 miles a day!
Your challenges make me stop and think about how I do things. My favorite challenge was getting up and down from the floor without using my hands. I couldn’t do it before your challenge and I am getting better. Sometimes it’s not pretty or as graceful as you do it, but I can do it! Thank you!
Just found your new blog. It looks wonderful! Always good to have a new start. I need some inspiration in this department and find the responses intriguing…off to go see if I can get off the floor with no hands 🤔