21DFC Day 16 – Schedule The Time To Exercise Every Day

This is Day 16 of the 21-Day Fitness Challenge held in Feb 2012. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.

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Hello and welcome to Day 16 (Feb 18) of the 21-Day Fitness Challenge! :D We now have 6 days left before 21DFC comes to a close!

21DFC Day 16 – Set Aside Time To Exercise Every Day

Do you set time aside in your calendar to exercise every day?

In Step 5 of the pre-work on Day 0, you were given a 21-day fitness chart to plan your fitness activities for the 3 weeks of 21DFC.  The reason why I issued the chart as part of the pre-work is because by first identifying what physical activities you are going to do, and when/what time you are going to do them, you dramatically increase the chances of them happening.

Even though I did not fix up a schedule for my exercises at the start of the challenge, that was because I had already set aside the 3 weeks to focus 100% on my fitness. I knew that I was definitely going to exercise; it was just a matter of the time of the day I was going to do it. I also knew that participating in the challenge, having to write the daily task posts and post my comments, were all natural reminders to get my exercise done for the day.

Moving forward though, for the habit to be a self-sustaining one, it’s essential that I deliberately set aside time to exercise every day, in my calendar. The very same calendar I refer to every day for my appointments, to work, to get my errands done, etc (i.e. Google Calendar in my case) – not some random desk calendar which I refer to once a year.

Why? Because relying on memory to exercise is simply not a foul proof method. With all the things that scream for our attention every day, there are bound to be days where we will “forget” to exercise.

Case in point – if you look at the number of participants who signed up for the challenge, a good number are no longer with us anymore. Why? Is it because they don’t have time to exercise? No, of course not. All of us have the same amount of time every day. Is it because they don’t want to be fit? No, of course not – if they don’t want to be fit, why did they even sign up for the challenge to begin with? Is it because they are not passionate enough about their goals? It’s questionable, but I believe that the people who read PE are people who are passionate about being better people, and as a corollary, about improving their fitness too.

The actual reason is going to differ from person to person, but I believe a big reason is because they did not schedule 21DFC/fitness into their life. They signed up, thinking that putting their name down will take care of everything. Unfortunately, many of them probably forgot about the whole challenge altogether in that same evening. The remainder who remembered, probably only recalled doing it for the first couple of days, before letting slip of it from their mind – thereafter not even checking PE anymore.

Ever since Week 2, I have fixed down time to exercise, on a daily basis, in my calendar. From Mondays-Fridays, I set aside 10am-12pm for my gym workouts (including 30 minutes walk to the gym). During this same duration, I’ve also synced other activities such as checking email, catching up on my Google feed, updating my site, writing, etc, so it’s two very productive hours in the morning. Then after my workouts, it’s straight to lunch.

Then on the weekends, my exercise sessions are in the evenings – jogging/running, specifically. That’s because my gym membership is only for off-peak timings, so I can’t go to the gym on weekends (well I suppose I can if I want to; I just need to pay the regular entry fee). It’s all good since it helps me vary my exercises a bit. (Post 21DFC, I may set aside Sundays/weekends as rest days, depending on how it goes. But gym on weekdays are definite.)

These activities are set aside in my Google calendar, to recur an infinite number of times, until the day I die. (i.e. I’ll be sticking to my fitness sessions for life!)

Today, your task is to set aside time to exercise every day (or X times a week, depending on how regularly you want to exercise on an ongoing basis post 21DFC). What time do you plan to exercise? What days do you plan to exercise (if not every day)?

After you are done, schedule that in your organizer/calendar/notebook/whatever time management system you use. Now, we’re all set for a lifetime of fitness! ;)

Share Your Plans/Progress for Today!

What is your intended fitness plan for today? What physical activities are you going to do, and how long do you want to do them for? Share with us!

Update your progress as you go along. At the end of the day, review your progress and share your learnings.

Check out other participants’ responses and join in the discussions!

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67 comments
  1. I am still adding things to my life handbook that PE gave me the motivation and tools to create! I found writing down along with everything else, such as calorie intake, what exercise I am doing and how long.
    I intend to and have been exercising everyday since the beginning of the challenge except for about two days that myself and my children caught a bug going around. I was feeling weak.
    I do some aerobic type exercise at 7a.m. in the mornings. This is the time my two children get on the bus to go to school. I try to put in at least 15 minutes if not more. 15 minutes is the minimum amount.
    Then at 1:00p.m. after I have relaxed, done chores, house cleaning, ect, I do an abdominal workout for 15 minutes and then a dance workout for 15 minutes.
    My last exercise, other than the walking I do up and down my steps to the laundry room and other activities like that, is yoga. I fit yoga and then meditation in around 6p.m. to 7p.m. This works for me because after the day is almost done and I have helped my children with school assignments and the evening routine, the yoga and meditation help me to relax from the hectic day. I do around 20 minutes of yoga. Once my children are in bed, around 10p.m. the house is quite, so I meditate then.
    So far this schedule has worked wonderfully for me with the exception of having to take my girls to the dentist last week at 2p.m. Other than that, I like having a schedule and routine because I am very unorganized and having the handbook I made and keeping everything written down makes me feel in control of my day and life. Thank you Celes!! :heart:

  2. I have been planning my fitness by reserving classes where needed (spin) and putting them in my calendar. some days i dont schedule and the day gets away from me and I end up walking or on a cardio machine. i can see how important the planning is just as it is with nutrition…(if i dont plan my menus and food shopping and cooking and have healthy food prepared and ready to eat or throw into a tupperware, i make the easiest choices which are almost always unhealthy ones like eating pizza.)

    today i did a 45 minute walk.

  3. I had a great work out today. Thiw was my plan of attack:

    Strength superset/triset:
    1A) Elevated Pushups or Spiderman Climb Pushup
    1B) 1-leg Deadlift or 1 & 1/2 rep Split Squat
    1C) Single Arm rows

    Repeat 3 times; rest 1 minute between sets

    Metabolic Conditioning Training
    – Burpees (30 seconds)
    – Diagonal Prisoner Lunges (30 seconds)
    – Plank to Triceps Extension (30 seconds)
    Repeat 5 times with 1 minute rest between sets.

  4. I always update late :shy:

    Everyone seems to get along with their plans perfectly :mrgreen: It’s quite interesting to read other comments and get motivated :)

    In terms of schedules, I don’t think I have fixed time for exercises. Normally, when I’m in school, I often have activity time after school. So I use that time to do school activities as well as some extra exercises.

    However, I’m in holiday this week so I’m just gonna exercise whenever I want.

    In day 16, I did a home exercise for 15 mins. Additionally, I walked for 40-45 mins.

  5. Schedules have never actually worked for me either. I’ve tried calendars and other ways of organising myself over the years, but never end up checking them.

    But with the rebounder, I get up in the morning and tell myself I can’t have a shower until I’ve done at least 20 or 25 minutes of exercise. If I run out of time, then I’ll go for a long walk late in the afternoon. It may not be a proper schedule, but works for me!

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      That’s great! The thing is to do whatever works in getting you to adhere to your fitness habit. :D

    • I am unorganized and schedules are hard for me. I have managed to keep one since the January challenge and I started writing everything in my life handbook. I found this interesting because I tell myself the same thing in the mornings. I can’t shower until I do my exercise, so it motivates me to exercise and then feel refreshed from the shower. If something is working for you, I see no need to fix it. Good luck!! :)

  6. I have put my favorite group classes at the gym into my iPhone calendar, so I can be aware of when they are and pick the ones that fit best into my unique schedule for that particular day. On days when I don’t have classes, I’ll set aside at least 30 minutes to stretch, walk, run, lift weights, etc. The tricky part isn’t scheduling exercise, it’s sticking to the schedule!

  7. DAY 16

    Late post…I’ve been posting so much stuff….but I don’t want to neglect this, YIKES!
    Ok, BETTE, LET’S GET WITH IT! :love:

    So my exercise schedule for life… that is, FOR LIFE (double meanings ;) ) and I surely do want more LIFE in my LIFE!!!

    It is is about swimming and water exercises for me, mainly, since :
    I love to swim and do exercises in the water, and,
    it is a good place for me to be, working out, all things considered with needing knee replacement and all…
    So, the schedule is 3x a week while on the island, and continue swimming in NC. There is a river nearby where we live in NC, and that is a great place to continue enjoying the out-of doors like i am doing here,…so fortunate to have that opp here with the ocean. :D

    On the days that I am not getting in my exercise in the water, I plan to do exercises with the youtube videos and work with the bands. Also breathing exercises and stretching. The waist/arm workout that Netta shared the link for is really really great…PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION…I am doing what I can…and adapting some of it so I can be seated and still exercise…. I also need to find some knee-(leg) strengthening exercises…(TINA? any suggeastions here?) :?:

    At this time in my life, I really do not have a set time of day that I must do these exercises…it’s about having them (and being physically active) in my mind TO DO, ON A DAILY BASIS…..( with a day of rest, if I want it)…THAT’S what is the most important thing…TO BE ENGAGED IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN MY MINDSET AS WELL AS MY ACTIONS, DAILY. This challenge has jumpstarted all that!

    YAY!!! :dance: THIS PROFOUND CHANGE IN MY MINDSET IS CREATING BETTER QUALITY LIFESTYLE FOR MYSELF! :dance: :D :heart:

    A Note:
    I also have DAILY meditation and quiet time where I am renewed. This is really part of my fitness plan, because my physical fitness starts on the INSIDE. Physical fitness means more to me, ANYTHING means more to me, if I am spiritually fit! :heart: :angel: :D :heart: And unless I am physically fit (healthy), what else could mean as much, physically? I mean, if i am living in a body, it is important to have as good health as i can!

  8. Another late posting from me!! I do read all the comments though and find them all very inspiring.

    Well, as this is for day 16, I didn’t do a fantastic amount today. Lots of jobs to do in the morning, took my son to hockey this afternoon and out for someones birthday meal this evening. Finally got back at midnight.

    I did do some sit ups and stair walking this morning but probably only for about 5 minutes.

    My days are so busy that I don’t schedule time for exercise. I try to incorporate it into my day, (which doesn’t always work) but it is always in my mind. Being fit and healthy is one of my core values and I have a ‘values’ card which I read over every morning, along with my goals and plans for the day.

    Where I see a gap of more than 30 mins, I’ll fit in a gym visiit. If the weather is dry and not too windy, I’ll walk dor 20 – 30 mins along the seafront after work. I try (bad word) to make the gym at least 2 times per week.

    All this will stop from March 19th as I will be operated on to have my ankle repositioned and fused. (4 year old hockey injury). I should be off crutches and walking by the middle of June and hopefully then, I’ll be able to wake up pain free every day and start some serious walking. i love just walking or cycling through woods and down by the sea.

    Maybe when I have finshed studying and give myself some more free time, I will actually crate a regualr schedule; who knows? life is an adventure after all :) . i want to learn to ski and snowboard afetr my ankle is ‘fixed’. I’ve never been on a skiing holiday but now I may be ready :)

    • All the best with that ankle surgery and healing, Mark. The activities you do and want to do sound fun verry active! I like that you read your values, goals and plans every morning. Good idea.Good reminder for me, thanks! :D
      I have to consult a Dr about knee replacement, and have that to “look forward” to .
      Daunting, it sounds, but I would love to stand tall again, without a cane, and just be gloriously happy being physically active!
      I have replied to your post before…have you seen it? (or this one?…I’m a day late :rolleyes: )
      Have you read the story I shared on Day 12, by any chance? Just wondrin’… :?:

  9. Christine Aicken 13 years ago

    I’m not very good with scheduling things, I must say I like to just fit it in, I know that’s not always wise, as sometimes you run out of time!! As I am still on holidays for 1 more week & we have been out & about every day walking for hours as the weather is fantastic, but today I decided just to have a rest day of late breakfast followed by chilling out in the room at the hotel for an hour or so, then down to the pool for some fun in the sun just relaxing & enjoying the day. Then I decided to at least do half an hour of swimming in the pool, went quickly so I followed it up with the 9 flights of stairs, was glad I accomplished this today on my rest day!!!!

  10. Oh wow and I thought creating a mantra was hard.. :lol:
    I’ve been exercising whenever I can make time, but from now on I’m gonna aim for 1~3pm, and for weekends, I’ll aim for 10~11am (I’m still a tad lazy/not an early morning person :shy: ).

    Today was another hectic day for me, so I only did 40 sit-ups and pushups. Tomorrow is my usual Tai Chi/Chi Gong day, so I’ll see you guys on Day 17! :hug:

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      Hi Rosa, I think 40 sit-ups and push-ups is huge! Fantastic work!! :D How are you finding your Tai Chi/Chi Gong practices, by the way? I haven’t tried them before, but I have a friend who takes Tai Chi lessons, and she speaks very well of them.

  11. I really don’t like doing schedules, because sometimes my schedule won’t work because of added homework, or rain, or my parents forcing me to go out, etc. but I always do some form of exercise. If I don’t manage a longer period of exercise during the day I accompany my domestic help down with the dog.

    Day 16 – yay. An hour of swimming. :D

  12. Kate Britt 13 years ago

    Celes, any chance we could talk you into an extension to 21DFC? (LOL, my dog ate my homework; I need an extension.)

    Maybe an additional week?

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      Hey Kate! I understand where you’re coming from, and thank you so much for the suggestion! I do it’s best to have 21DFC as a 3-week challenge as it was originally intended to be. There’s a fair bit of work involved in running the challenges, from writing the posts (+ creating the content), reviewing the comments daily, and so on, and 3 weeks is the time frame I have set aside in my schedule for this month’s – extending it will then affect my schedule for other plans later on (I’m thinking maybe a new challenge for March as one of the plans). Also I feel that making a ‘one time’ exception for a challenge sets an unhealthy precedence, whereby participants for future challenges will start making add-on requests for the challenges next time, which isn’t something I want to encourage or promote.

      That said, there’s always the PE Forums (the actual full-fledged forums, at https://personalexcellence.co/forums – This area we are posting at now is only the comments section of the blog posts) where everyone can hang out at post the challenge, and all of you are welcome to create your fitness journals in the Health & Fitness forum! There have been many members creating their journals and journaling their progress with their goals (in the Live Your Best Life Forum, Career & Work Forum, Health & Fitness Forum, etc) so I highly recommend all of you do that. The challenge is an initial start to springboard everyone into the habit, and post that there’s the forums for everyone to hang out together and discuss their progress.

      • Kate Britt 13 years ago

        Of course you’re right and I knew your likely answer before I asked. But I had to try anyway, right? Keep on doing all that you do, Celes!

        • Celes
          Celes 13 years ago

          I think it’s great that you asked anyway, to be honest. :D I totally love your energy and enthusiasm! Thank you for being such an awesome person, Kate!

  13. Kate Britt 13 years ago

    I use Outlook on my computer, and every morning it pops up my to-do list. While I like the idea of scheduling in fitness, I do not like the idea of being nagged by my computer — which is what I let it do about appointments and meet-ups I’ve planned, other people’s birthdays, etc. None of those are every-day things, so I don’t mind the nagging now and then. If I put an exercise reminder on it to pop up every day, I know myself, I’d get really annoyed and maybe even get contrary and refuse to do it. Ya, I know my contrary, devious little internal devil and I’ve learned how to rein her in.

    I also don’t like the idea of having to do something at a certain time every day. That’s the main reason I retired early from employment — I don’t do well with “expectations” — especially when they’re imposed externally by others, but also if they’re self-imposed. I need to instead find ways to develop a “WANT TO” approach about things (exercise included) because “HAVE TO” just makes me ornery.

    So…. during 21DFC, my “schedule” for daily activity has become a version of “Do something active before settling in to the inactivities.” (Ha, good word for my retired life, “the inactivities”! — By that I mean the physically relaxing things like reading, crafts, computer work, writing, meditating, etc.) My new rule, which comes from knowing my lazy self well, is — I *have to* do something active before I settle.

    Seems to be working. :clap: That’s a rule I could be happy to continue with after 21DFC.

    • You sure would Kate carry great on ever after 21DFC….thanks for being there with your comments on 21DFC, your (and of course the others) presence there on this forum really made a difference….oh am I thinking about the sting from this amazing 3 weeks ending already? Gonna miss y’all, especially writing up posts, frequently logging back to see replies, learning so much new et al….

      • Celes
        Celes 13 years ago

        Hey ASLO! As I mentioned in my reply to Kate below, it (the discussion, the love, the energy) doesn’t (and shouldn’t) end here! Feel free to join us at the PE Forums after the challenge. There are quite a few forum regulars who post there (Jaleen has her best life journal there, for example, and she updates very regularly on her progress). Start your journal in whatever area of life you’re most interested to work on at the moment, then journal your progress there. Of course, do it only if you see merit in doing so, and don’t do it for the sake of doing it (that will be the worse thing to do ever, really).

        • I mentioned sometime before that i’ve done so many of your challenges till date, but never bothered to venture out on the forums, my bad (oh the gut-wrenching guilt of admitting being wrong…but i’d rather succumb to a moment of fear of admitting the truth rather than live my life a lie….so that’s one thing i’d like to change (and would show you the change)…… :hug:

  14. I have scheduled jogging / running at 5 in evening for almost an hour.

    Today went for exercise at 5pm.. jogging / running for almost 50 mins.

  15. Feeling a bit tired and weary! Did 2 hours of archery (got my 2nd-best score) then forced myself to go for a walk even though it was raining and I didn’t have an umbrella. About 5 mins into the walk (i.e. would have been easy to turn back!), it completely tipped it down but I waited it out under a bridge and when the rain eased off I continued (so my boots are now wet). Unlike a tropical climate this was what I would describe as cold, miserable rain :)

    Anyway, I think I’ve managed to walk about 6km today, which is good considering my husband was saying I didn’t need to go out to exercise!

    I also had a good weigh-in this morning: have lost a little more weight (BMI down to 23.7), even though I have been over-eating in the last week. Hopefully that will now give me the motivation to focus on a careful watch of what I put in my mouth. Would ideally like to lose another pound by the end of the challenge!

    I did appreciate Kate’s comments the other day about healthy snacks; while I can’t eat dark chocolate (in that it sends me mental looking for food to binge on), I do have some frozen sweetcorn at home that I can just put in the microwave for a couple of minutes should things get desperate.

    With regards to scheduling exercise, I think I’ve demonstrated to myself that I can always manage to eke out quite a few km of walking per day, even with a busy job. The real test will come when my gym re-opens; will I be able to find time and motivation to use it?

    A weekend exercise session is easy to schedule, and I think initially I plan on leaving work ‘early’ on 2 nights a week so I get home for 7pm: am thinking Wed and Fri. Then I can use that time to get some time on the machines. On the other days, I should just keep up with the extra-commute-walking (which will hopefully transmute into jogging soon!) I may revise this strategy depending on how it goes!

  16. Tina Davis 13 years ago

    20 minutes of knee strengthening exercises, 30 minutes stability ball DVD, 10 minutes of stretching, and 10 minutes of meditation.

    As I shared in Day 0, here is my exercise plan:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ftei4x4v2De8HqKqpyhip1l0RYOhxiaalwPG0p75BDk/edit#

    I workout in the morning because it is most convenient time for me. I sometimes take a walk at night if I can but my schedule often does not allow for this.

  17. Some of us have not been updating but that does not mean we have fallen off the bandwagon. I schedule to jump rope at 6 a.m every morning. Jog/run on Wednesday about 6km and on Sat morning about 10km. Loving the experience of feeling fresh and not tired and meeting people who are passionate about keeping fit. I do not do the gym.

  18. Today I did a body weight workout that included six different exercises, all performed for 30 seconds each, one after another, for a total of three minutes, then a one minute break. You do this cycle for two more times for a total of 12 minutes. Then I walked for about 10 minutes and then stretched for 5-10 minutes.

    Great point Celes! Scheduling fitness into your day ahead of time and then actually doing it when you are supposed to is probably the most important thing you can do. It definitely has worked when I do it in the past.

    Keep at it everybody! We are almost there!

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      6 more days!! :D Actually 5 more, because it’s already Day 17 on my end (Feb 19). I’m actually really enjoying the challenge and I don’t want it to end. :(

  19. I know that we should set the schedule for exercise everyday. My schedule will be different from day to day in a week depends on my timetable in different semesters…

    For this semester:
    Mon – 5.30pm ~ 7:00pm
    Tue – 7:30pm ~ 9:00pm (If I don’t have a function) / 11:00pm ~ 11:30pm (If I have function on that day)
    Wed – 7:30pm ~ 9:00pm
    Thu – 2:30pm ~ 4:30pm
    Fri – 5:30pm ~ 7:00pm
    Sat – 5:30pm ~ 7:00pm
    Sun – 5:30pm ~ 7:00pm

    This is my current schedule… I have function on Tuesday night twice a month, so I will do only simple stretching on Tuesday night. I hope this schedule will last until the end of this semester. :)

    Today, I only did simple stretching for around 15 minutes as I was at outside the whole day, just got back home, and it is time to sleep. I will continue with my meditation before I sleep. :)

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      Hey Jaleen, well done on your schedule! :clap: By the way, I don’t think I’ve overtly said this to you, but I think you’re doing such a FANTASTIC job. You did marvelously on 21DHL (and may I mention, by yourself too, without the community support), and while you were doing 21DHL, you didn’t stop there and went ahead and took on 21DFC too. Amazing, really. :clap: :bow:

      • Hi Celes, thanks for your compliment, and thanks for providing the guidance for 21DHL. ^^

  20. Good one Celes, “Now, we’re all set for a lifetime of fitness” sounds like music to the ears, perfect harmony…just like there is the undoubted assurance of the sun rising tomorrow when we hit the bed, that phrase is like a pledge written and definitely as we go into the closing days of this challenge we rest assured that the day and every after the challenge is over, we all, by our own means and abilities would be carrying on this torch that has lit a path which till before the start of the challenge was unexplored by so many of us……
    For me, exercise has brought out a new outlook to life….something exciting to look forward to, i follow the same activities every day, yet each of them are so different….with every bead of sweat that runs down my neck i strengthen my belief in what am doing as right for myself….also i owe it out to every calorie i lose….to all those calories that have ceased to be since my initiation onto the path of fitness, i promise that i regret your loss, i offer my condolences and promises that this ain’t the end and would bend upon eliminating all your other friends making illegal home in my body…… :p
    As for setting aside time for exercise….i use an android app called Evernote, installed both in my phone and tablet, i’ve created a recurring checklist for every day that i’d tick off my daily objectives as the day goes by, needless to say that exercise is part of those activities….soon as i see positive visible results, i’d take a pic of myself and put it up on the app to serve as inspiration on how the daily activities are working their magic…gives me much pleasure to be my own genie as i work to fulfill my life’s wishes and aims….. :dance: …also i intend to create a variety in my fitness regime so as to not lose interest ever…..
    As for today took the 35 minute walk and 20 mins of cycling…..
    Good day, love, happiness and fitness to all :angel:

    • “Good one Celes, “Now, we’re all set for a lifetime of fitness” sounds like music to the ears, perfect harmony…just like there is the undoubted assurance of the sun rising tomorrow when we hit the bed, that phrase is like a pledge written and definitely as we go into the closing days of this challenge we rest assured that the day and every after the challenge is over, we all, by our own means and abilities would be carrying on this torch that has lit a path which till before the start of the challenge was unexplored by so many of us……
      For me, exercise has brought out a new outlook to life….something exciting to look forward to, i follow the same activities every day, yet each of them are so different….”

      I couldn’t agree more with you, ASLO. You’ve put into words something I’ve been thinking, too, in the past days. This challenge really helped me out, changing my view on life in better. :)

      • Yup, i second that, its cleared the dust of the windows with which we view the routes to our journey….sort of how its done at the petrol stations by the assistants with our windscreens…this is also kinda a petrol station right….the challenges, forum, fellow PE seekers and Celes fuel us on for our different journeys……..

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      “..to all those calories that have ceased to be since my initiation onto the path of fitness, i promise that i regret your loss, i offer my condolences and promises that this ain’t the end and would bend upon eliminating all your other friends making illegal home in my body……”

      LOL ASLO, can I say you’re hilarious??? :D I *LOVE* your sense of humor! Indeed, I offer my condolences to the fat cells that are melting from my body, but at the same time I embrace the muscles that have been forming in their place. :D

      I’ve been increasingly happy the past few days as I do my workouts, and it’s really not a coincidence at all. I feel like my cultivating the habit of fitness is bringing me fulfillment due to my growth/development on the physical level (whereas previously I’ve always been focusing on my emotional/mental growth), and as a result it’s helping me become more aligned as a person.

      Nowadays as I look at the mirror, I don’t think negative or self-debilitating thoughts like I would in the past (for example – ugh those hips, or ack I want thinner thighs, and so on – no different than the kind of thoughts that hover on the minds of many females in our world today) – rather, I think – “Hello healthier you! You’re really emerging from behind your shell finally, aren’t you? ;)”. I see that thinner, healthier, fitter me that has been hiding inside my “wall” (of fat, for the lack of a better word – and I’m saying that factually, not in a self-debilitating way), and now all ready to emerge and show herself to the world.

      ASLO, Kate, Bette, Lina, Linh, Jaleen, Amanda, Raymond, Mark, Tina, Monisha, etc all the rest of you in 21DFC – all of you have made 21DFC such a richer challenge, and I’m so grateful for your presence. THANK YOU!!!! :bow:

      • And you, Celes, have been for us (I think I can talk in the name of us all when I say this ;) ) a great inspiration to keep going – and you’ll continue to be in the next 6 days, of that I’m sure. I’m really happy I found your site right at the beginning of the 21DFC, just in time to jump in. And I have no idea how come I finally jumped out of my shell and joined but I know it was one of the best decisions for both body and mind :D

        • Celes
          Celes 13 years ago

          Awww group hug!!! :hug: :hug: I didn’t know that you found PE right at the start of 21DFC – it must be the universe doing its mojo!! :D That’s really awesome then – I’m thankful that you found PE when you did. Do you remember what got you here? 21DFC would not have been the same without you in it!!

          • Kate Britt 13 years ago

            Group hug indeed!!!
            :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

          • Hey , More healthier ya’lls, gotta get into this group squeeze with you guys!!!! :hug:
            mmmphhh, mmmphhh.mmmmmmphhh!!!!!! HugHugHUGS!!!!!!! :hug: :hug: Love those group hugs :hug: :hug: …and whatta group it is!!! :hug: :heart: :hug: :heart: :hug: :heart: :hug:
            :angel: :heart: :hug: :angel: :heart: :hug: :angel: :heart: :hug: :angel: :heart:
            aren’t we wonderful!!!!!! :D :hug: :heart:
            :heart:

          • I was googling “tips for a healthier lifestyle” and among other sites offering suggestions for living a healthy life, I also found yours ^^ I looked through the articles, was pleasantly surprised so I subscribed and joined 21DFC :D

            Aw :hug:

      • Thank you, Celes!!!!!!! *glomp*

        Thank you for setting up this challenge! :heart:

    • Lina, i pretend that i haven’t seen your reply commenting on Celes being there in the group too….okey? i wanted to say the same thing, you got to it before me :p
      Y’know, when i see the list, i see a name miss……Celes….if it weren’t for you then we wouldn’t even be here doing this…..thank you and its great to hear you too seeing the positive changes from exercising…..you truly do it all where personal excellence is concerned and even better, you share it out with us and that makes you much more than a remarkable human being….you’ve been the messiah we all seek to drive us to our respective goals and dreams….a guardian angel that’s lit our paths of life when we were most in need……
      BTW i dunno if the rest of you have noticed but with all of Celes’s challenges, i been wonder-struck with one thing, that’s how they come up when you are at a low and seek something to reignite the vigor and vibe for living out your life, and my-oh-my, the change they bring forward most amaze you….you’d be like “Woah, I didn’t know i too can do that”…..most awesome Celes……

      • Celes
        Celes 13 years ago

        Aw that is too sweet of you, ASLO! You know what? All of YOU are my angels here to help me in my path. I would never be the person I am without you guys. *I* am the one who is blessed here. For that, I thank YOU! :hug: :angel:

        You aren’t the first person who commented about how the challenges always seem to come at the right time! I believe it’s the unity of like-minded souls. With every challenge, I can see more of us uniting as one, aligned to a common goal, moving forward together. That’s why I created the challenges section in the first place, because I think it’s so crucial in our development. I didn’t/don’t wait PE to be just another site where people read and resume back into their daily lives. I want it to be a place where all of us work toward our goals in life *together*, as one big PE family. And I believe it is indeed happening as we speak. YEAH!!!

        Or in zingfairy’s words, “HUZZZZAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” :twisted: :love:

        • Yup, am already awaiting the next challenge -whenever it might be, no pressure in you Celes- and am sure Kate, Bette, Monisha, Lina, Raymond, Mark, Tina, Linh, Jaleen, Zingfairy, I and all the other PE enthusiasts would be there working together trying to surpass the thresholds of what was set preceding challenge……. :bow:

          • Celes
            Celes 13 years ago

            Awesome – I will be polling for feedback on what the next challenge should be after 21DFC, and I’ll probably go with the majority’s vote (since I don’t have anything specific I want to run in March).

  21. I am planning to jog, walk and power-walk for the next couple of days at 7AM :)

    For today’s exercises, I did chair dips and the plank, time taken is 5 min and some seconds. I do not intend to exercise more since I think I need more rest for tomorrow’s exercise. I did a lot of burpees yesterday, so I think I need more rest for tomorrow’s exercises.

    • Go Monisha! I always admire people who manage to get out early in the morning exercising! Would you describe yourself as an early bird?

    • @zingfairy: Thank you! But I don’t think I will be able to exercise this early after how today went :lol: If I exercise on an empty stomach, I feel nauseous usually while exercising. And I don’t want to eat anything that early since I do not feel hungry so I am canceling my plans.

      “Would you describe yourself as an early bird?” Currently, I can get up early if I think I need to get something done, but if otherwise, I will usually sleep, hehe
      __________
      Update: I don’t think I will be able to exercise in the morning so I’ll reschedule now:

      Monday: Rest day/Stretching
      Tuesday: Burpees at 6PM
      Wednesday: Rest day/Stretching
      Thursday: Chair dips, the plank and jogging in place at 6PM

  22. Hi Celes,

    I read this post twice because I am trying to figure out why I missed to exercise 4 times during the past 3 weeks. It is definitely not because I did not schedule it. I realize that it was the big FEAR! I went running for the first time almost a week and was in so much pain for 5 days that I am afraid of doing it again. I looked up ways to stretch before the run and how to pace myself. I now have the know-how AND the fear.

    All that remains for me is to overcome the fear and go running again AFTER stretching and proper warm up. I am going to do it tomorrow (Sunday) morning. Today, I have scheduled swim lessons and am looking forward to it.

    You are also right about commenting here. There is something to be said about writing out my fears. It just seems so SILLY after I write it down!

    Big hugs!
    Vidya

    • Kate Britt 13 years ago

      Thanks for posting here with honesty and LACK of fear, Vidya! It’s both fun and funny to read what we have to say about ourselves when we post something, isn’t it. I often have self-realizations when I read what I’ve written — sometimes I purposefully read it as if it were written by somebody else and try to figure out, What was she *really* trying to say there? :p

      So I’d say it doesn’t seem SILLY at all — honesty can sometimes really free us up about the fears we’re writing about. Hope your post did that for you, at least a little bit! :clap:

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      Awesome, Vidya. :clap: I’m glad you drilled down to the reason why you missed exercise – that must have been a big a-ha moment?? :D Do join us in sharing your progress for the remainder of 21DFC – we have only 5 days left, and after that it’s off to fitness by ourselves, for life! :D

    • Well, Vidya, you know the phrase about fear being FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL, right?And your big bad fear about running is shrinking as you learn how to stretch before your run and your pacing yourself. :D

      I’m a big fan of writing out stuff. It’s a good clearing, and what Kate said, I look back at it like it’s another person and view it objectively. Sometimes that is helpful and reveals alot to me.

  23. Celes
    Celes 13 years ago

    I haven’t done my workout for today since I woke up later in the morning, after the sun has risen. (Today is Saturday, so no gym for me.) I’ll probably go jog later at night (when it’s more cooling) and listen to a podcast while I’m at it (that or some music). Will report back later. ;)

    • Celes
      Celes 13 years ago

      Ok, finished my night jog. :D I went jogging slightly after midnight (but am still recording it as the workout for Day 16, because I’ll do another fitness session later today / Day 17). This is my first time using my jogging app on my HTC (MapMyRun, for those who may be interested). Simply did a relatively slow jog around my neighborhood.

      Results: 2.1 miles, 26 minutes, 167 calories burned. Cool! :D There’s the option to autotweet my results, too! I’m quite fascinated with the application – definitely makes jogging even more fun than it already is. :D

      I also want to mention during the jog, I didn’t feel particularly tired at all. I think all the gym workouts are really strengthening my body, especially my legs since they are the areas I’ve been working on the most in the gym. I feel really powerful, like an Amazon. :D

      • Kate Britt 13 years ago

        You GO, Ms. Amazon! You’re truly an inspiration!

      • I use another jogging app on my Sony Ericsson Xperia, not yet so fluent with it as its a new phone for me….would check out MapMyRun…thank you for sharing that……. :D

      • I’ m LOVING the strength that the gym workouts are bringing to your legs/ jogs.
        And it’s inspiring to know that you have scheduled on your calendar fitness and exercise (for life!) (And that’s literally and figuratively “for life” :!: ) :D

      • Christine Aicken 13 years ago

        You did great, & the best thing even though your tired you have this energy that makes you want more!!!!

        • Celes
          Celes 13 years ago

          Can’t say I even feel tired with my exercises now (in fact I feel more energized), but yes I definitely do want to do more!!

  24. I’ve already figured a way to workout daily depending on how my parents work (they have different shifts from week to week). So when they work in the afternoon, I’ll be exercising around 2 PM, and when they work in the morning, I’ll exercise at 5:30 AM before leaving for school. Also, I’ll workout 30 minutes plus stretching from Monday to Friday, while during weekends I’ll do 15 minutes workouts (10 minutes of rope jumping plus 5 minutes of stretching).

    Today (just like I wrote in the previous paragraph) I used the jumping rope for 10 minutes and did stretching exercises. Tomorrow will be the same as today and beginning with Monday I’ll exercise at 5:30 AM :D

    • Jumping ropes?!! Oh I loved them when I was a kid, and would use them everywhere =) Thanks for reminding them to me, I need to find a rope but more importantly a place to use them =)

      • I jump the rope in my bedroom xD My bed is on one side of the room so it leaves pretty much space to move freely. The cool thing about jumping ropes is that it’s a fun and effective way to do some physical activity in just a couple minutes (when you want a quickie workout, haha). After 10 minutes of jumping, my face already burns and my heart races :)

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