100 Day Challenge « Back to Group Discussions

[LilyTiger]

So, a bunch of guys at my gym are doing a 100 squats for 100 days challenge and I thought we could do something similar, but modified for whatever people's individual goals are.  Are there things you want to do physically, mentally, psychologically, to get ready for birth? 

I'll be doing the squat version of this, since squats are awesome for pelvic floor strength, but your version could be anything you want -- making a kale smoothie for 100 days, meditating for 15 minutes a day for 100 days, doing prenatal yoga for 30 minutes a day for 100 days -- whatever would help you during birth and recovery.

I won't take it personally if no one is interested, but I thought I'd throw it out there since these kinds of challenges are a fun way to keep people accountable while they work on their goals.  Thoughts?  Questions?  Ideas? 

[Veritas Vitae]

I think this is a really neat idea.  In addition to my first goal, which will be to remember to take my prenatal for the next 100 days, I will have to think of what else I would like to do.

[Sol_y_Paz]

I have so many things I am hoping to get done in 100 days for the upcoming birth.  These involve: Get everything excess out of the house, sell or donate.  I need it gone.  Organize the spaces in the house, all of them, cabinets, closets, drawers, so far so good.  Do some updates in the house and yard, some are major, some are minor, I have already outlines lists of the things that need done.  Major overhaul of the garden.  Get a baby nursery together from start to finish.  Start making freezer meals.  Keep up with the light exercise, keep up with the healthy eating, keep up with LLL meetings.  Buy things I need for me that aren't just wants, boring things like new socks while it is fairly easy to get around.  Go by the library to get books about birth, life with an infant, breastfeeding, etc. Learn about wraps and cloth diapers for the baby and buy/make some of these items.  Go over finances again to make sure we are on the same page and ready for this.  Organize everything some more.  Clean all the things, deep clean all the things.  I know, nesting might just be in full effect over here.  For both DH and me.  

[ithappened]

I have a few goals:

- 100 squats a day!  (trying to do 40 in the AM then again in the PM) ... thanks lilytiger!

- exercise of some sort at least 3-4 times a week- even if its just a walk with the dog

- clean/donate and organize our storage/apt (clothing, toys, stock up food, etc)

- take a 'babymoon' vacation (solo!) to visit my good friends in either London or Amsterdam for a weekend (the flight is 20$ and less then 40 mins! from here)

[pennywhistle]

I'll do the squats with you!  I may slowly build up to 100/day, though.  I'll try 5/day this week, then 10/day next week, 15/day the following week, etc.  I love doing group challenges!

[lakeruby]

Great idea!  I'll try the squats.  Definitely need to work up to 100, and am actually off right now to google "how to do a squat"  :)

I'd also love to remember to take my prenatal vitamin, go for a daily walk, and eat more protein for the next 100 days!

[LilyTiger]

Yay everyone!  I'm on day 4 of the squat challenge.  I'm also doing a more informal challenge for eating healthier.  Mainly it involves not buying cupcakes and sweets on a daily basis. 

Lakeruby, LeAnn posted this on the staying active thread and the doorknob trick is actually one I've used in the past.  You can also just use it as a stretch and just sort of hang out down there.  It feels really good for sore preggo backs.  http://www.alignedandwell.com/?p=864&option=com_wordpress&Itemid=223

Sol y Paz, you sound like me!  I'm like... uh, let's organize my entire life.  Throw out old files, paint, install hardwood floors, landscape the backyard, etc. etc. etc.  We'll see how many of these projects get done before August.  Babies are a good motivator though. 

[isras1]

Great idea! I'm borrowing my mom's treadmill until early summer. I find its quite impossible to walk or exercise with a toddler in tow. When outside, we are playing and discovering, not briskly walking, lol. And doing yoga at home, my tot loves to go between mimicking and wrestling me I was thinking of beginning with a mile a day and beginning with squats of 5 (holding for a minute) in the first week. Should we report in once a week?

Babies are definitely great motivators. We had been slowly but steadily building our home, once the finishing work began, it was even slower. Tedious (but very satisfying) stuff! Got pregnant and we finished the major stuff before DS was born :0

[isras1]

oh, and the kegel exercises!

[LeAnn A Doula]

I'm doing the squats and kegels, plus daily walks and more talking/reading to the baby now that LO can hear us.I want to start w Alice in Wonderland. I also want to get back to daily yoga/meditation practice.

Lilytiger - That supported squat is awesome for labor, too. You can use a door knob or a partner on the other end.

Isras - Yoga w tots is so fun! Nothing is cuter than a 3yr old in down dog. Lol!

[LilyTiger]

How's everyone doing?  I'm on day eight (I think) of the squat challenge.  After doing a billion squats three days ago, I just didn't get around to doing them two days ago which means yesterday and today I get to do an extra 50.  Nooooooo! 

Eating healthier has been a little better, though I still have horrible off days.  Today we had a reception before our faculty meeting and I virtuously filled my plate with veggies and fruit and only two small pieces of cheese.  I really do crave veggies when they're right in front of me, but if I have to exert any effort to get them it's all over.

Hope you're all doing well!

Isras1, welcome!  I think a once-a-week check in is a great idea.  People can post more if they need accountability, obviously.

[ithappened]

I was doing really well, then today I went skiing and my legs hurt too much to squat.. so day 7 or so.. Im taknig off.. will try to make up tomorrow

[Sol_y_Paz]

Originally Posted by LilyTiger 
Sol y Paz, you sound like me!  I'm like... uh, let's organize my entire life.  Throw out old files, paint, install hardwood floors, landscape the backyard, etc. etc. etc.

LOL, great you guys are doing this too!    So far we are doing great on the progress and it feels amazing!  

[LeAnn A Doula]

Going pretty well, here. I did miss yesterday, so I'm doing double today. I did notice that I'm looking more...um...hippy these days. I'm going to have to pick up the activity and cut down on the cheese, I do eat a lot of cheese. I know the weight gain is just getting started and I just want to see as much of it be belly as possible. I'd like to work on tone in the arms and legs, I think it'll help me feel more like myself as this pregnancy takes over the rest of my body.

[ithappened]

LeAnn my butt and hips def. have some extra padding on them (but this happened also with DS) I just hate it when my 'comfy jeans' are not my 'skinny' jeans

[LeAnn A Doula]

ithapened Lol at your 'eats popcorn' smiley! I made and ate a huge bowl a few nights ago, butter salt and all. Yum! Not helping in the padding dept though. I think it might be time to pop for the maternity jeans...sigh.

[LilyTiger]

I've been doing well on the 100 day challenge.  I'm on day 11 according to my calculations (I'll have to double check that) and I've managed to stay on target. Two days I couldn't get the squats in which led to 200 squat days the next (ewwww).  I've decided that's really annoying, so my goal is to do some in the morning on days when I know I'll have too much to do at night.
 

Originally Posted by LeAnn A Doula 

Going pretty well, here. I did miss yesterday, so I'm doing double today. I did notice that I'm looking more...um...hippy these days. I'm going to have to pick up the activity and cut down on the cheese, I do eat a lot of cheese. I know the weight gain is just getting started and I just want to see as much of it be belly as possible. I'd like to work on tone in the arms and legs, I think it'll help me feel more like myself as this pregnancy takes over the rest of my body.

That's really interesting... I have actually noticed a slight decrease in hip and leg size (just going by how my pants feel... I don't have leg circumference measurements or anything), though part of that might be because I've been jacking up the workouts a lot.  But my belly has freaking exploded.  I feel like I look like I'm 6 or 7 months along already, which is a little disturbing considering that this is my first.  My weight has stayed pretty stable, so I guess it just depends on the individual.  It is weird to have this huge belly and be only 20 weeks. 

[ithappened]

hahha leann Ive been eating popcorn all the time, no idea why I crave it so bad but I do..

lilytiger my butt has grown but Ive managed to keep up with 100 a day except for one day I was too sore from skiing all afternoon

[LilyTiger]

Hey everyone!  Just checking in!  A lot of us are on the Staying Active thread too, but since the challenge doesn't have to be exercise-related I thought it was important to bump this thread every so often. 

So far so good for me on the squats.  I'm on Day 20, so 1/5 there!  I'm going to try to incorporate more long squat-holds (I was doing these more before the challenge and then got squatted-out).  So at the end of a workout, spending a minute or so in a yogi squat or hanging from some doorknobs.  I've been liking frog pose a lot lately too.

I'm also doing ok (though not great) on my resolution to eat more veggies.  I've been buying precut fruit and veggies and found organic kale a few days ago to make some smoothies.  I should blanch and freeze some of it today before it loses more nutrients.  Sigh.  I just don't have a lot energy or interest in prepping veggies these days. 

I hope everyone else is doing well! Keep up the good work and update when you get a chance.

[ithappened]

yah! Ive been keeping up also! I was just about to post asking how everyone is doing.