Contrary February — Step Challenge and REVISED Resolutions

[Baltoscott]

So how did January go?  Are you still holding strong on those New Year’s resolutions?  Or have you completely forgotten about that?  🙂

Well, Contrary February is here. And rather than quit those lofty January goals altogether, how about the contrary approach of just dialing things back a bit? Instead of 6 days a week at the gym, commit to putting on your workout shoes for 3 mornings and walking a couple of miles, followed by some body weight exercises (you can still go to the gym, but if you’ve been missing, change the commitment somehow — less often, switch from morning to evening or vice versa — so it is easier to meet). Whatever it was you committed to in January, if you were not successful, try doing half as much of it in February and see how that goes. (Of course, if you hit your goals in January, YAY YOU! Now keep practicing the goals you want as lifetime habits, and increase effort or time a bit).                                                     

   
How It Works

The primary purpose of these monthly challenges is to keep track of your daily step goals for the month; though many of us track other things as well, like body weight exercises, sleep, trips to the gym, logging food, etc. This is not a competition to see who can do the most of whatever, instead it is a challenge to measure your consistency. So whether you do 1k, 5k, 10k or even 40k steps a day, this is measuring how many days out of the monthly total you can hit your goal.

Some might have a constant goal of 10k steps every single day and others might have a variable goal throughout the week, (and some might even plan days off!) for example.
Monday -> Friday = 10k steps a day
Sat & Sun = “6k steps a day,” or “not tracking”

Regardless of how you structure your daily goals, the only thing that matters for the monthly challenge is whether or not you reach what you set out to do.

Suggested Posting Format    
1) Post either your constant or variable step goal.
2) Keep track of the # of daily goals achieved out of the monthly minimum and or monthly total

Picture Scavenger Hunt — 3 pictures

The theme of the photo scavenger hunt for Contrary February is to find the ‘odd duck;’ something out of place; someone oddly dressed; something a little ridiculous; or just unexpected.

Where's Jayhawk?

Posting

Although you certainly don’t have to post daily, you’ll likely stay closer to what you set out to do by updating the thread several times/week

Injury Notice
If you injure yourself during the month and need to scale back due to the injury, then all you have to do is adjust your goal for that period. If you normally do 10k steps a day but pull a hamstring and decide to do minimal walking (2k steps a day), then all you have to do is change your goal.

[Baltoscott]

Contrary February Day 12

15K steps/day		12/28
1 pushup/day		12/28
12 weight-lifting days		3/12
post scavenger pics		4/3
Sleep 6+ hours 12 days or more during the month		4/12
1 pull-up/day		12/28
Complete Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat		1/4

[SunsetRunner]

Contrary February - Day 12

12,000 steps: 8/18 days

20,000 steps: 2/2 days

1-min (or longer) Modified Plank: 5/15 days
Training w/weights: 5/15 days
40 jumping jacks: 10/20 days
Line Dance: 1/4 days

IF5/2 (stay under +/- 600 cal): 1/6 days

Eat a piece of fruit: 11/20 days

Scavenger Hunt Pics: 3 pics

[NellyG]

13 February

10,000 steps a day for 20 days                                       9/20     

4 days over 15,000 steps                                                 3/4              

1 day over 20,000 steps                                                    1/1

Swim 2x per week (when I'm home)                              2/5                                                

Dance prac 6 hours a week (when Im home)              8.5/18

5 bike rides or interval walks per month                         2/5            

3 Scavenger Hunt pics                                                       3/3  

What shouldn't be here?

[SunsetRunner]

Contrary February - Day 13

12,000 steps: 9/18 days

20,000 steps: 2/2 days

1-min (or longer) Modified Plank: 6/15 days
Training w/weights: 6/15 days
40 jumping jacks: 11/20 days
Line Dance: 1/4 days

IF5/2 (stay under +/- 600 cal): 1/6 days

Eat a piece of fruit: 11/20 days

Scavenger Hunt Pics: 1/3 pics

Today we visited a Tropical Garden in the snow-covered mountains of the Bernese Oberland. 

Tucked away in a corner of the mountain city of Frutigen we froze outside and went in short sleeves indoors!

[WendyB]

Contrary February      Day 13

 Steps: Goal 13,000 28 days: 13/28
Boxing 28 days:13/28
Bike 3 times 28 days: 13/28
Weights DVD 16 days: 7/16
Stomach YouTube 28 days : 13/28
Wall Push Up/Counter push ups 28 days: 13/28
250 Steps per hour 28 days : 13/28
Post Scavenger hunt photos: 2/3

Haven't been finding anything unusual so went through some pictures I had

You dont see Geese leaving a brewery very often. But they do come in and say hi and leave again.

At Goat House Brewery

[NellyG]

14 February  Happy Valentines day everyone!

10,000 steps a day for 20 days                                       10/20     

4 days over 15,000 steps                                                 3/4              

1 day over 20,000 steps                                                    1/1

Swim 2x per week (when I'm home)                              3/5                                                

Dance prac 6 hours a week (when Im home)              8.5/18

5 bike rides or interval walks per month                         2/5            

3 Scavenger Hunt pics                                                       3/3  

[GSaldiveri]

February Goals: Day 14

20k steps/day - 12/28

64+ oz water each day - 14/28

30(+) minutes on the glider - 5/14

Lose 3 pounds - 1.2/3

[WendyB]

Contrary February      Day 14

 Steps: Goal 13,000 28 days: 14/28
Boxing 28 days: 14/28
Bike 3 times 28 days: 14/28
Weights DVD 16 days: 7/16
Stomach YouTube 28 days : 14/28
Wall Push Up/Counter push ups 28 days: 14/28
250 Steps per hour 28 days : 14/28
Post Scavenger hunt photos: 2/3

Happy Valentines Day All!

Just another day here. We just exchange cards. We are going out to dinner tomorrow.

[SunsetRunner]

Contrary February - Day 14

12,000 steps: 10/18 days

20,000 steps: 2/2 days

1-min (or longer) Modified Plank: 6/15 days
Training w/weights: 6/15 days
40 jumping jacks: 11/20 days
Line Dance: 1/4 days

IF5/2 (stay under +/- 600 cal): 1/6 days

Eat a piece of fruit: 12/20 days

Scavenger Hunt Pics: 1/3 pics

[Autumn43]

February 15

minimum 10,000 steps: 15/28

15,000 steps: 1/5

Pushups: 14/28

Drink 1.5 litre of water: 15/28

Photo scavenger hunt: -/3

[NellyG]

15 February 

10,000 steps a day for 20 days                                       11/20     

4 days over 15,000 steps                                                 3/4              

1 day over 20,000 steps                                                    1/1

Swim 2x per week (when I'm home)                              3/5                                                

Dance prac 6 hours a week (when Im home)              11/18

5 bike rides or interval walks per month                         2/5            

3 Scavenger Hunt pics                                                       3/3  

[Baltoscott]

Contrary February Day 15

15K steps/day		15/28
1 pushup/day		15/28
12 weight-lifting days		5/12
post scavenger pics		4/3
Sleep 6+ hours 12 days or more during the month		5/12
1 pull-up/day		12/28
Complete Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat		1/4

@NellyG — Thanks for posting the close up of your scavenger hunt pic — I just might have missed that ‘what doesn’t belong here’ critter. And @WendyB, when you can’t find an odd duck an odd beer-friendly goose will do 🙂   @SunsetRunner.  I’m jealous.  I really like mountains.  Fun pics!

[WendyB]

Contrary February      Day 15

 Steps: Goal 13,000 28 days: 15/28
Boxing 28 days: 15/28
Bike 3 times 28 days: 15/28
Weights DVD 16 days: 8/16
Stomach YouTube 28 days : 15/28
Wall Push Up/Counter push ups 28 days: 15/28
250 Steps per hour 28 days : 15/28
Post Scavenger hunt photos: 2/3

[SunsetRunner]

Contrary February - Day 15

12,000 steps: 10/18 days

20,000 steps: 2/2 days

1-min (or longer) Modified Plank: 6/15 days
Training w/weights: 6/15 days
40 jumping jacks: 11/20 days
Line Dance: 1/4 days

IF5/2 (stay under +/- 600 cal): 1/6 days

Eat a piece of fruit: 12/20 days

Scavenger Hunt Pics: 1/3 pics

Actually I have nothing to update... I somehow hurt my left foot today, so could only manageto get about 9,000 steps as I hobbled around. 

@Baltoscott - will try to post more pics of mountains soon! We are visiting friends in Gstaad tomorrow. 

[NellyG]

16 February 

10,000 steps a day for 20 days                                       12/20     

4 days over 15,000 steps                                                 4/4              

1 day over 20,000 steps                                                    1/1

Swim 2x per week (when I'm home)                              3/5                                                

Dance prac 6 hours a week (when Im home)              11/18

5 bike rides or interval walks per month                         3/5            

3 Scavenger Hunt pics                                                       3/3  

[GSaldiveri]

February Goals: Day 15

20k steps/day - 13/28      ** Might be more like 20/28 and 28 @ 15k or more

64+ oz water each day - 15/28

30(+) minutes on the glider - 5/14

Lose 3 pounds - 3.4/3       ** Goal Met!

[WendyB]

Contrary February      Day 16

 Steps: Goal 13,000 28 days: 16/28
Boxing 28 days: 16/28
Bike 3 times 28 days: 16/28
Weights DVD 16 days: 8/16
Stomach YouTube 28 days : 16/28
Wall Push Up/Counter push ups 28 days: 16/28
250 Steps per hour 28 days : 16/28
Post Scavenger hunt photos: 2/3

[SunsetRunner]

Contrary February - Day 16

12,000 steps: 10/18 days

20,000 steps: 2/2 days

1-min (or longer) Modified Plank: 6/15 days
Training w/weights: 6/15 days
40 jumping jacks: 11/20 days
Line Dance: 1/4 days

IF5/2 (stay under +/- 600 cal): 1/6 days

Eat a piece of fruit: 13/20 days

Scavenger Hunt Pics: 2/3 pics

An old fashioned water fountain in your backyard, not uncommon in Switzerland, is not common practice elsewhere. 😇

The view from our friends' terrace in Gstaad.

[NellyG]

17 February 

Lovely view @SunsetRunner

10,000 steps a day for 20 days                                       13/20     

4 days over 15,000 steps                                                 4/4              

1 day over 20,000 steps                                                    1/1

Swim 2x per week (when I'm home)                              3/5                                                

Dance prac 6 hours a week (when Im home)              13.5/18

5 bike rides or interval walks per month                         3/5            

3 Scavenger Hunt pics                                                       3/3  

[BMANintheUP]

OK, I'm new to the FitBit Community!  I've been using a tracker since July of 2018, but just now found the website version and this whole Communities section.  I chose this thread to start with because this is very much the place I am in with exercise this month...Contrary!  So last summer I easily hit 15,000 steps a day.  But I live in northern Michigan and weather is not really cooperating with that.  So following an exercise blog that gave tips for setting your goals, I walked thru their process and set a weekly goal which is an average of 5325 steps per day.  I decided to go with a weekly goal, because I often have some days where I just can't walk much and other days where I knock it easily.  A weekly average is more easily obtainable...or so I thought!

In January, I was able to hit my weekly average goal nearly every week.  Even with some days being greatly reduced due to migraines, extreme cold weather, etc.  But February...this has been my worst month!  Some days I barely get 2000 steps in, which pretty much general trips to the bathroom, kitchen, letting dogs out, etc...nothing extra.  And to me, this is just not acceptable for me!  Days with this little activity make me feel worse in the long run, causing more migraines, fatigue, and lack of motivation.

So this is how my February looks so far:

Weekly Goal: 5325 Average Steps per day

Week 1:  5100 Average Steps Per Day (this week was partly in January)

Week 2:  3087 Average Steps Per Day

Week 3: 4773 Average Steps Per Day

As you can see, I haven't hit my weekly average even a single time this month.  I can use weather as an excuse with winter storm after winter storm hitting our area.  But that is really just an excuse, with my goal set as low as it is, I should easily be able to hit these steps indoors.  Here's the problem...I hate walking indoors!  Detest treadmills!  My husband is a pace, which drives me nuts, so walking in circles inside the house makes me crazy.  Here's my daily incentive...I have 3 German Shepherds who like to go out in the weather no matter how bad it is and I have all the necessary clothes to be out side in 0 degree weather.  My problem then becomes motivation.  I am lacking the desire to spend the time to put all that winter clothing on to go out and walk circles around my driveway.  The snow is too deep to walk elsewhere on our 10 acres, the dirt road beside our property is not plowed (unwalkable), and the awesome waterfalls and nature trails in my community are not easy to access either with my balance issues on slippery surfaces.  So again I'm at Contrary...I know I can do better, and should do better!  February Blah!