fitness

So I did the 30 day challenge, planks and squats (no giggling) and as predicted it didn’t go according to plan. It never does where exercise in concerned.

There were days I didn’t have time to do those exercises, but I have been active (gardening, walking, bike riding) *honest I have*.

It started off well, but then the squats (no giggling) started to make my knees hurt, so I got on a rowing machine instead.

The planks increased their rate I just couldn’t keep up with; so although I’m still doing them I’m doing them at my own pace (rage against the machine!).

As for the rowing, I was doing well on that until I went and snapped the rope, which means no more rowing for me.

Having said that I am still doing the planks/ rowing (well, I was rowing) after the 30 days elapsed PLUS I’m learning to ride a bike (a little late in life I know, but hey at least I’m doing it now, right?).

I’ve only smacked myself in the shins with the really sharp skin shredding pedals once, so I’m definitely improving.

Have you tried any exercises and stuck to them (or no) or are you trying something new?

You may be wondering why I’m doing a 30 day fitness challenge if I think it’s so pointless, to be honest so am I. I have chosen to do two, the first is the plank and the second is squats.

The idea is that you gradually build your core strength up and you get toned along the way. You look great, you feel great, accomplished even.

So why is it pointless? Yes you may build up your body core strength in 30 days, you may look and feel great and like you’ve achieved something, but where do you go from there?

Do you stay at the last number of squats held or do you keep increasing the number of squats until you spend all day every day squatting and planking? (feel free to snigger, I did.)

Do you find a new exercise or a new challenge? Or, and this is the most likely option, do you simply give up?

I have to admit I did my first 50 squats yesterday and I felt a little sore afterwards and I got bored doing them. But because it’s a challenge, a regime if you will, I felt the need to complete it.

That’s why I think rather than just doing a 30 day challenge you should have a life long challenge.

So why am I doing it?

Well, like most people who know this is pointless, I have a misguided notion that I’ll perhaps carry on with other exercises, other challenges, that I’ll keep up my fitness. Only time will tell if I have the attention span to keep it up. Something tells me the squats will be the first to go.

So wish me luck and please write back to tell me of any challenges you have tried, did you complete them and if you did, did you carry them on?