In the first half of this year, many of you participated in a fitness challenge inspired by commenter Rina (and First Lady Michelle Obama and Ellen DeGeneres). You’re in good company, Rina! The goal was to complete 25 push-ups by June 25th and several of us got there but more importantly, many more were encouraged to exercise and better our health along the way. So what next?
Planking was suggested as a goal, but in a bit of selfishness, I am choosing a different challenge to give my shoulders a break. I also think this is more appropriate as we careen towards the holiday season, when some of us tend to overindulge. Something a little more DYNAMIC and focusing on the, ahem, bottom half of the body during the back end of the year.
What’s the challenge? We are going to do jumping lunges! They work your core, legs, and give you that coveted Donkey Booty.
How the challenge will work: Get a baseline today by seeing how many you can do in 30 seconds. If you feel comfortable, post your number in the comments. We will work up to how ever many we can do in two minutes. The goal date is December 22nd, which gives us 150 days to accomplish get ‘er done!
- First 30 days: Increase number of lunges from baseline by 25%
- Second 30 days: Do a full minute of lunges
- Third 30 days: Increase number of lunges in one minute by 25% and add 30 seconds
- Fourth 30 days: Increase number of lunges in one minute and a half by 25% and add 30 seconds
- Fifth 30 days: Increase number of lunges by 25%.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. This is a very explosive movement. You MUST keep your front knee behind your front ankle. To do otherwise stresses your knee and will cause an injury.
2. This is not a race against the clock. Go slowly. Keeping proper form is key; not how many you can do in the allotted time.
Here’s a demonstration of how to properly do this movement
Each Wednesday, we’ll have a post to see how we are all doing and share successes and concerns. I will also send reminders in the open thread every Monday and Friday. As your inspiration, in the Summer of Lolo Jones, I give you the back side of Lolo Jones. LET’S GO!
