It’s been almost a year ago now since I introduced my monthly fitness challenge. I explained my “inspiration” and why I think it’s so important to do strength work ESPECIALLY as we age. (You can read all about that here.)
So.
How are you doing? By now, I hope you’re having some success with my challenges. Keep up the good work. Every day! (And if you haven’t started yet? Well. You can begin today!)
I start every month’s fitness challenge with (pretty much) those same words. That part where I say “And if you haven’t started yet? Well. You can begin today!”
I mean that.
I also mean that . . . If you meant to start. Or if you DID start but took a break. Of if things just fell off your radar completely? Well. You can still begin again today.
Because here’s this month’s fitness challenge:
Challenge #11 — Begin again.
Yep.
That’s it.
No matter what you’re doing. Or what you meant to be doing. Or what you started but slacked off on along the way. It matters not a bit. Because this month’s theme is . . .
I’ve been laying out these monthly fitness challenges for almost a year. I’m sure many of you look at them every month and say . . . yada yada yada. I’m sure some of you feel bad ABOUT saying . . . yada yada yada. And then maybe some of you actually try them, at least for a while. And I bet a lot of you just never get around to it.
And I get that.
It’s hot.
You’re busy.
Schedules loosen up (so much) in the summer.
Kegels are boring.
You’re frustrated with the very notion of “working out” . . . even in 2 minute increments.
I’m here to say . . .
Begin. Again.
I know that beginning to work on your fitness seems like it needs to line up with some auspicious date. January 1. Any Monday. The first of the (next) month. But that’s a bunch of hooey. The best day to begin? It’s today. Even if today is some random Friday in the middle of August.
Begin. Again.
What you’ve done up until now? It really doesn’t matter.
What you do going forward? It totally matters!
So. Pick through the previous 10 Monthly Fitness Challenges, and just . . .
Begin. Again.
Or get out for a walk around your neighborhood.
Or do a little yoga.
Start somewhere. Anywhere.
And go for it!
Try it.
See what happens.
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(For now, these links will whisk you back to Stepping Away From the Edge. I’m working at transferring them over to my new space, but it hasn’t happened yet. Bear with me.)
Previous Get Strong Monthly Fitness Challenges:
Challenge #9 — Try this 10 minute beginners yoga once a week for a month.
Challenge #8 — Give yourself a couple of hugs (every day).
Challenge #7 — Pay attention to how you walk. (With every step.)
Challenge #6 — Get your feet off the ground! (And make it an everyday practice.)
Challenge #5: Get down on the floor. And then get back up again! (And make it an everyday practice.)
Challenge #3: Increase your physical activity every day.
Challenge #1: Strengthen Your Lower Body by Doing Body Weight Squats . . . All Day Long
Good morning! And thank-you. I know those weights are still in this house somewhere. 🙂 Happy Friday Kym! XO (Love, love, love the new space!)
Thanks for this particular challenge! I’ve had success with several of the challenges (meaning I tried them AND stuck with them!), but naturally not all of them!
😉And I really meant to try the 10 minute yoga challenge.
I think I’ll begin again with that one today.
Also, I love your new location and the fact that you’re keeping your earlier content available. I value what you’ve written previously very much. So, thank you for that!
Begin again… perfect every single day!
XO
This is a good one! I mainly fall into that third group – I try them, but it’s only been for a while. Then I forget, have a hundred excuses, etc., and pretty soon I’m not doing anything. I’ve gotten lazy about exercising and busy in other areas, so I’ve been meaning to begin again for a bit. Thanks for the much-needed reminder!
This ties in beautifully with the OLW work for this month. It’s always the right time to begin again.
What timing! I just finished my 20 minute workout (which I’ve been dong now for 2-3 weeks EVERY DAMN DAY). I do 10 different arm exercises with weights (baby weights – 3 lbs each…but it’s something)…25 reps of each exercise. Then I do a series of a few yoga moves and then some leg exercises. Finally the crunches…I do a variety of 5 different ones…50 reps of each. Lastly some stretches to unwind and a few moves to tighten up my sagging butt. LOL And really, it takes me actually less than 20 minutes. It’s a habit now (but I know how easily habits can be broken or lost…I plan to keep with it). Thanks for your push Kym
Thanks for the excellent reminder that there is no magic date and you can always start fresh. I’ve been running a lot more, and yesterday I decided to push myself (because I’ve mainly been doing interval training). I ran a mile without stopping to walk, and had a really excellent pace (for me) of 8:33. I’ve got a 5K coming up at the end of September, and I’m feeling better about it now. I’m also feeling it in my body, but it’s a good soreness when you know you’ve done something good for yourself.
I did take a good long walk today.
Was it hot? Yes!
Humid? That too.
Did I do it? YES, I DID!
Perfect message for me today…just back from a week in Quebec City, where I did LOTS of walking up steep hills and stairways, but also lots of eating and drinking…so time to up my fitness activities (so I can go back sometime and walk up those steep streets and stairs without being winded!😉)
Begin Again. It makes a great mantra. Thanks for the encouragement.
This whole series is so good Kym – thank you! I do love beginning (again) when the calendar turns … on a new year, a new month, a new week, or a new day. Today is always the best day to start!