HoF 30 Day Fitness Challenge.

Project Reflection. I have to start off by saying I honestly went into this not expecting to be able to do anything. Due to what I knew was going to happen this month I just wanted to try and do something of my own during that time. I actually was able to reasonably succeed at two projects instead. Even though these were about consistency I’m very happy that I adapted and was able to do the amount that I was able to do. \t With this fitness project I particularly feel like I’ve engaged with finding fitness opportunities where I could and just generally being more able to integrate general better healthy habits into my day. Even though I fell off near the end on results I still don’t feel disconnected from the project goals. Instead it’s more frustrated and intent on altering things. That in itself is a win as I was very disconnected from exercising and general active habits when I started. \t\tFrom here I want to build on my consistency and carve out that regular time that I keep to. That said, I don’t think life is quite supporting committing to the goal of the 12 week program at the moment. That was suppose to be once I get consistent at the end and need to kick it up. Therefore, I think I will instead alter plan slightly and delay the 12 week program and instead work to get a consistent program working for at least a week before committing to that program. \t\tI’m so happy I did decide to commit to this and as I can feel and see results from this. Even my body is feeling and looking different, however slight. This is a good start from which I can continue to build and work from. After months of being inactive, that’s a huge win for me. So GG!

May 3rd-5th - Day 29-31: [Posted May 5th] Morning: Incomplete Afternoon: Incomplete Number of break exercises: 0.

Notes: I messed up my shoulder and it’s been ongoing since the 3rd. Between this and generally feeling poorly I haven’t been able or motivated to engage in the final days. Even with shoulders and neck the way they are I should be doing more exercises within my range of what I can do. I need to close out and reflect where I stand on things before moving forward from here.

May 1st/2nd - Day 27/28: Morning: Incomplete Afternoon: Incomplete Number of break exercises: 0?

Notes: These days I was just out of it and not able to get myself to do any exercising. Disappointing as it probably really would have helped. Still not giving up though.

April 30th - Day 26: Morning: Incomplete Afternoon: Incomplete Number of break exercises: 2.

Notes: Had a physically active project really take a lot of my time in the morning and really disrupted my plans for the day. Though in the latter half I found myself just lacking discipline. I was much better on my exercise breaks today though and stretching/drinking electrolytes helped my Achilles Tendon issue I’ve been having recently. Huge thanks to Heroes of Fitness for that advice.

April 29th - Day 25: Morning: 15 minutes biking. Level 9. “Peak” mode. Afternoon: Incomplete. Number of break exercises: 0

Notes: Really went for it today and oh boy did I push myself on the bike. Thought that since it was just a slow build up to a peak and down that it wouldn’t be that bad. I forgot the slope sticks around at my max for quite a bit and level 9 was above what I had done before (recently). Still, it was me against the bike and I wasn’t going to lose! Need to keep drinking more water and remind myself to take breaks. Going to try using timers more today. We’ll see how it goes. (3pm update) It didn’t. I got way too distracted by stream and clear forgot.

April 28th - Day 24: N/A [Posted April 29th] Morning: N/A Afternoon: N/A Number of break exercises: ?

Notes: After the bad day I had previous, I decided I really needed a break from everything. I took the entire day off and made myself do new and different activities all day. My entire goal was to break up the feeling of always working so I included the DK30 as well. Though I did go for a walk and thought about my approach to ML as a whole.

April 27th - Day 23: [Posted April 29th ] Morning: Incomplete. Afternoon: Incomplete. Number of break exercises: 0

Notes: This wasn’t a good day for me. My sleep schedule got disrupted and I had a bad day over all.

April 26th - Day 22: Morning: Biked for 10 minutes using mountain setting. Afternoon: Incomplete Number of break exercises: 1

Notes: Instead of doing offsetting HoF exercises in the morning I think biking is an easier way of getting start and also just clearing my head first thing in the morning. This way I’ll also be able to do the full set in the afternoon with finishers. I’ll be aiming to start finishers today with periodic break exercises. Unfortunately the project from yesterday claimed my entire day again but it was a very active project so I definitely got my strength workout with it.

April 25th - Day 21: [Posted April 26th] Morning: Incomplete. Afternoon: Incomplete. Number of break exercises: ?

Notes: A sudden family project claimed this day for me. Was moving concrete blocks for planters so while it wasn’t what I planned or that intense, it was hardly not being active.

April 24th - Day 20: Morning: Incomplete. Afternoon: Strength Exercises with stretching complete Number of break exercises: 0.

Notes: Took the morning to reflect on my life and things I need to change, general troubles, goals, and how best to move forward. Was worth the time I put into it. Did my exercises in afternoon as planned. Strength exercises and stretching as planned went smoothly. Should definitely start pushing myself to go for more exercises throughout day. Definitely ready to start pushing myself now. More throughout day first, I think.

April 21st-23rd - Day 17-19: [Posted April 24th] Morning: Incomplete. Afternoon: Incomplete. Number of break exercises: 1.

Notes: These days were just not happening for me with the Easter Holiday. Frustrating but reasonable. I did do some strength exercise by splitting logs but no actual workouts happened.

April 20th - Day 16: Morning: Incomplete. Afternoon: Incomplete. Number of break exercises: 1.

Notes: Today was mostly spend getting myself back together and addressing the problems what have been dragging me down the past few days. Also, my sister flew in today so family time took priority over formal exercise. That said, I did go for a long walk in the morning and work a bit outside in the afternoon preparing for some family time. (though the latter I don’t count as break exercises.

April 17th-19th - Day 13-15: [Updated April 20th] Morning: Incomplete Afternoon: Incomplete Number of break exercises: 1.

Notes: Only did wood splitting on the 13th and even that seemed like I was pushing it as I was exhausted that day. I wasn’t doing too well personally the next two days so these were a no go for my DK30 in general. Back on my feet now.

April 16th - Day 12: Morning: Strength exercise complete. Afternoon: Incomplete Number of break exercises: 1.

Notes: So far I haven’t done my Cardio but with a good night sleep under my belt, I decided to change things up and start pushing to make exercise more consistent over my entire day. Going to start trying to do the opposite 5 minute exercise to the planned one first thing in the morning to start the day right. Also, will try to do at least one other quick exercise to break up my day and get me moving more often. [April 20th update: Didn’t get to afternoon exercise]

April 15th - Day 11: Strength exercise incomplete. [Posted April 16th]

Notes: I did do wood splitting today so I did get a good exercise in today but with sleep issues recently, motivation to stick to plan or compensate for the lack of it has just not been there.

April 14th - Day 10: Stretching complete. (As planned) [Posted April 16th]

Notes: Was super tired so I didn’t do the extra exercise of wood splitting during the day as I had previously planned.

April 13th - Day 9: Cardio exercise complete with stretching. (As planned)

Notes: This one was last minute as it was tough getting myself back into it with Cardio. Bigger thing for my procrastination was lack of rigorous structure. Still forced myself to do it but forgot to drink enough water prior again. Went well but definitely felt the lack of water after. Will need to work on doing better. Tomorrow especially I need to work outside in addition to the stretching later. Further, I’m definitely feeling the conflict of working out a bit after sitting for far too long. Even with stretching I will need to work on periodically exercising.

April 9-12 - Day 5-8: Incomplete.

Notes: Had a crazy few days where my schedule wasn’t really my own except yesterday but I think I just needed a day off there. Not super upset as I knew this sort of thing would happen this month. Hadn’t quite expected this though so I’m not sure if there is much to learn or adjust to here. Will just keep going now and accept this loss of time here. That said, I was quite active during some of these days so it wasn’t a total loss for this project.

April 8th - Day 4: Strength exercise complete with stretching. (As planned)

Notes: Today actually wasn’t as bad as I expected. Since I kept good form and stayed generally within my limits the day before I was able to exercise as normal and if anything, a little better than the first time. Though I did feel it midway through the exercises. That said, I have noticed that there is some muscle tension building in my shoulders and neck which is very unusual for me. I’ll have to make sure I increase my stretching and especially tonight do some more to prevent problems.

April 7th - Day 3: Stretching. (As planned)

Notes: Well today I was suppose to just be moderately active and stretch as a recovery day. However, my moderate exercise turned into 3-4 hours of splitting wood logs across two sessions today. Needless to say, this was pushing my physical capabilities as it’s not something I normally do at all. With this in mind I’ll probably have to take tomorrow’s strength exercise easier with more breaks but I still wish to do if I can.

April 6th - Day 2: Cardio exercise complete with stretching. (As planned)

Notes: Went well. Still hate mountain climbers. Felt the limits of my recent lack of exercise today. Better on drinking enough water but still need to do better.

April 5th - Day 1: Strength Exercise complete with stretching. (as planned)

Notes: Went pretty well for first day. Didn’t do too badly but also didn’t do that great either. That’s quite par from my experience. Definitely need to start drinking more water throughout the day as I can feel the effects of not having enough in my system.