I’m one-third of the way through Project 40, and one thing is crystal clear: I’m failing miserably at my exercise goals.
I’ve all but stopped eating at the computer, and evening snacks barely tempt me anymore. But the exercise. Oh, the exercise.
I’m not sure what my problem is. I’m busy, but I’ve been busy before. I’m tired, but lawd knows I’ve been tired before. Two-hours-of-fragmented-sleep-in-the-throes-of-colic tired.
Whatever the reason, except for a few random workouts here and there these last two months, I just. Can’t. Get. Moving.
So it’s time for a kick in the pants. I’m challenging myself–and all of you–to exercise every day for the first 12 days of December.
Want to join the 12 Days of Fitness Challenge? Here’s how:
1. Do some form of exercise every day for the first 12 days of December. I plan to do an exercise DVD, walk/run outside, or venture into the gym if I can disentangle my membership card from a thick network of cobwebs.
2. “Like” Real Mom Nutrition on Facebook right here.
3. Each day during the Challenge, I will post a status on the Facebook page asking about your workout that day. Leave a comment on the post telling me what you did.
Did I mention the giveaways? I’ll be doing a few fun giveaways during the 12 days for those of you who join the Challenge.
My hope is that these 12 days will not only teach me that I can find time for exercise, but also provide an anchor in the crazy cookie-and-party-filled weeks ahead. When I treat my body right by exercising, I’m far less likely to stuff my face with nut horns and peanut butter fudge. I’m also nicer. Maybe you are too.
In honor of this Challenge, I’ve made a decidedly low-fi calendar to mark my achievements–with festive stickers I dug out of my kids’ craft cabinet (see photo above). If you’d like your own copy to download or print, get it here.
Are you with me?
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
yep
I am with you, might not be eligible for the prizes but that’s all good.
My cranky hamstring may not appreciate this, but I’ll join you!
And I don’t know if this is helpful (or even different from what you’re already doing), but you may give first-thing-in-the-morning workouts a try. If I have an entire day between me and a workout, I will devise a minimum of 287 reasons why I can’t do it. But first thing out of bed, I’m too groggy to realize that I’ve just strapped on my Sauconys & headed out the door. By the time I come to – “Wait… oh, %$#@!, I’m running?!” – it’s too late. Then I’ve got the whole day to feel smug
Kat, welcome!! So glad you’re joining in on the challenge (though sorry to hear your hamstrings are cranky). I love your tip and will likely share it on the FB page if that’s okay. You are so right on that, which is why I’m going to attempt (*attempt*) to set my alarm for 45 minutes earlier and workout first thing. I especially love “I’ve got the whole day to feel smug”.
Hooray Judith! Welcome to the challenge.
Count me in!
Alright! Awesome, Jen.
I’m in. Only not doing so well today…have my workout clothes on, but have yet to make it outside for a walk or run. That’s OK. At least I am dressed for exercise!
I’m in! I love a new month for this very reason. I love to see how long I can go without missing a day.
I tried to download your calender but couldn’t. No biggie, I already mark my calender with a star if I workout so I will continue to do that. Thanks for the motivation! 
Great Liz! I’m going to take Kat’s suggestion and workout first thing in the morning–I have had many days of wearing my exercise clothes all day and yet…not actually exercising.
Glad you’re with us, Rhonda. Sorry you had problems with the calendar. When I click on the link, it downloads it to the lower left of my screen, where I can then open it up. I’m going to email you a copy in case you want it!
I am in. I have two more goals to achieve by the end of the month and doing your 12 day challenge will be totally help me get there. The one thing thing is that I take Sundays off for religious reasons but if its not raining I can always go for a walk with my kids on that day. Monday through Saturday you are mine all mine.
I’m in.
Can you order up some sunshine? I like to exercise outside and it’s awfully hard to be motivated on grey rainy days.
Corrine–great! And taking a walk with the kids definitely counts as exercise. So glad you’re on board.
Great Rachel! I’m with you–the rainy days we’ve been having are really rough. I haven’t wanted to do much besides drink tea and stay inside. I plan to depend heavily on my exercise DVDs in these next 12 days, though I know getting outside, even when it’s really cold, always makes me feel better.
I’m in. I need to do this for many reasons, but the best one you mentioned? Just to be nicer
Hooray Wende! So glad to have you involved.
I am so in!!
Woot! Great to have you in the challenge, Carrie.
Oh alright, I’m in. I could certainly use a fitness challenge! By the way, the last time I was at the gym on the treadmill, I saw you on the TV. Thanks to my iPod and a lack of closed captioning I don’t know what you were saying, but I definitely recognized you from your presentation at the Martha Nelson Lewis Symposium earlier this year. Thanks for the motivation, Sally!
Sounds Good! Count Me In!
OK I’m going to give it a go. I’ve gotten super lazy!
I’ll be there. I’ll probably grumble…but I’ll do it.
Ha! I’ll be grumbling too, Christi, believe me. Welcome!
Deb–glad to have you here! (I’ve gotten lazy too….)
Welcome, Jen!
Thanks Kellie! I’ll be blogging about that commercial sometime this month. Glad you’re joining this challenge!
I will do it. Have been needing a motivator for a while. Maybe this is it
Workout went much better than yesterday. Thanks for asking, Sally! Since I sat around all day in my workout clothes yesterday, I did 20 minutes extra on the treadmill before my muscle class. Kinda makes up for yesterday. Good enough for me right now!
That’s great, Liz!
You can defo count me in! I had a baby a year and a half ago and iv gained 3 stones and 6 pounds. The more weight I’m putting on the more I want to exercise the less I actually get up and do it because of the weight! Motivation is key and this challenge will Definately encourage and motivate others joining knowing other people are doing it too. X
Chinade–yep, that’s a tough cycle: wanting to exercise b/c of baby weight but hard to get started b/c of the baby weight! Glad you are here and come on over to my Facebook page so you can check in every day with your workouts!
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