March 2022 Challenge

It’s March and I am ready for a new challenge. This month I’ve decided I wanted to do something physical and mental. I’m going to keep them both pretty simple and I HOPE you all join in and really embrace the challenge this month. I wanted to still keep the challenge of something physical. I mean, this whole blog is about fitness, right? However, this blog is also about overall health. Our mental health plays a huge part in this. So, this month I wanted to have it play a part as well. The physical aspect I’m going to call the flexibility challenge. The mental aspect I’m going to call the positivity challenge.

Positivity Challenge

This challenge is actually going to sound incredibly simple. I want you to find at least one new positive thing about yourself every day and write it down. This could be a trait, strength, accomplishment, or really anything positive. The only requirements are that it has to be positive about you personally and no repeats. As simple as this sounds, I know that many of us will struggle after the first week or two. Be serious about this and don’t make up random things like “I’m not cross-eyed” (no offense intended if you are, just saying be serious). Find something REAL about yourself that you can be proud of. I would like each of you to join in on this challenge and share your positive trait as a comment on this article or on any of the other social media pages for this page.

Flexibility Challenge

The reason I like a flexibility challenge so much is because I am not naturally flexible. I have to work at it a lot in order to make headway in my flexibility. If I slack off for any length of time, it’s like I have to start over from square one. So, for the first time I am going to challenge myself to focus on one aspect of my flexibility and spend time on it every day, possibly twice a day. March flexibility challenge is going to be focused on legs. I’m focusing on 5 specific stretches.

Standing forward bend

The standing forward bend (Uttanasana) is one of the most common stretches. On good days I can touch the ground. On bad days I’m like 5 inches above the ground. I want to see how much that can improve. I have taken pictures of my current capability in all these stretches. With this stretch and the next three stretches, plan on holding the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. Release the stretch on your legs and pull up into a completely straight back. With the next exhale sink back down into the stretch for another 10 to 15 seconds.

Standing forward bend with crossed legs (Right over left and left over right)

This is the same stretch but putting a deeper stress on each specific leg (Uttanasana crossed leg). This also has an added benefit to the muscles in your feet and ankles. Helps with your stretch and with your balance.

Split (left leg forward, right leg forward)

I am completely incapable of doing any kind of a split right now. Therefore, I will be doing a modification stretch for the split. Front leg completely straight and toe pointed. Back leg bent as needed, weight resting mostly on the knee and bottom half of the leg. Working on pushing the pelvis down towards the ground. On both sides hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. Release the stretch by pulling up and flexing that front foot to be flat rather than pointed. With the next exhale sink back into the stretch with pointed toe and pelvis back into the ground.

Join Me

I challenge each of you to take a picture in each stretch. Do all of these stretches at least once a day. It will only take five minutes. Take a picture at the end of the month and let’s see how much progress we have all made.

In a journal or notebook or even in a word document. Record everything positive that you came up with each day about yourself. Make sure it is physically available to you. When you are struggling with self-confidence, pull this list out and prove to yourself just how strong you are.