03-27-2023 13:02 - edited 03-27-2023 13:03
03-27-2023 13:02 - edited 03-27-2023 13:03
A Marathon for Stress-Free April? Well, read on …
April is Stress Awareness Month and exercise is GOOD for stress reduction, right? Ummm, maybe. Look, I know a lot of Fitbitters want to run a marathon, but if success is trying to accomplish that in a few hours, or even a day, it sounds a little crazy! So try a 30-Day Marathon instead.This April commit to one mile, walk or run, every day. Maybe (gulp) even if it is raining. But don't stress! If it is raining really hard step inside or take a day off. A marathon is only 26 miles.
I’ve always been a fan of getting my exercise outside where I can see the earth, the trees, the flowers, the bees, and for April, rain (likely) or shine, I’m going out to see that one stress-free day at a time. Come along and set up some month-long fitness goals as well — a little challenge is good, but for Stress Awareness Month, don’t push too hard. Focus on the joy of daily exercise.
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
For Stress Awareness April how about some pictures of whatever brings a smile to your face? Here's one of my dog Jayhawk who wonders why it gets so dark when he goes for his kong.
Is there really food in there?
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.
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
03-27-2023 16:35
03-27-2023 16:35
Here are my goals for Stress-Free April
-17K steps/day (25 days)
-1 pushup/day (I always do more, but this goal gets me into position!)
-1 pull-up/day
-10 weight-lifting days
-post 3 scavenger hunt pictures
-Sleep 6+ hours 15 days or more during the month
I've been missing my 6:15 min sleep goals lately, so I'm going to lower the threshold for a 'win' to 6 hrs. I suspect the probably was staying up too late watching college basketball, but that will sort itself out soon. It has been quite a tournament.
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
03-27-2023 22:36
03-27-2023 22:36
Nice challenge for April @Baltoscott — Stress-Free April. Just what I need right now. And the photo challenge is perfect. I’ll be back soon to post my new goals.
03-28-2023 04:55
03-28-2023 04:55
Stress-Free Marathon April
17.7k Steps/Day Weekdays:-/20
9.5K Steps/Day Weekends: -/10
2000 Calorie Limit/Day: --/30
IF Daily (12 hr weekday/16:8 weekend): --/30
Weights 2x/week: -/8
Stretch 4x/week: -/15
Squats 30/day: --/10
80oz Water daily: -/30
Lose 3 pounds: --/3
Photo Scavenger Hunt: -/3
Total Steps:--/450,000
03-29-2023 00:04
03-29-2023 00:04
What an awesome challenge! My goals for stress-free April:
13k steps per day (19 days)
10k steps per day (16 days)
9k steps per day (5 days)
12 situps/week (tailbone surgery years ago makes these difficult but not impossible)
5 Dumbbell workouts
60 oz Water (15 days)
6 pound weight loss
1400 calories/day max (22 days)
Scavenger Hunt Photos of Joy - 6 posts
As a single mom of a special needs daughter during the largest ever nursing crisis, making time for me is a challenge in itself. Over the past merely 6 months I have learned to do yoga, then low impact cardio, now medium to high intensity cardio all while strengthening my core, reducing impact on lower back, knees and mentality. Started WW in January help me make better food choices and I am down almost 25 lbs and can finally do jumping jacks and invisible jump rope (with use of inhaler lol).
I have learned to put my daughter to bed and then exercise, at least 4 days a week. I work mainly from home now due to being a Caregiver overnight and limited hours during the day, so I work 6 days a week part-time now. So it's time for me/us some can live a happier healthier life. Looking forward to moving around more thanks to this challenge.
03-29-2023 00:06
03-29-2023 00:06
You inspired me to include other things in my challenge. Good luck and have fun!
03-29-2023 00:14
03-29-2023 00:14
Stress-free April 2023 Goals
8,000 steps: 15 days
10,000 steps: 5 days
12,000 steps: 4 days
Rebounding: 15 days
Weights 2x/week: 8 days
Blue Days: 10 days
Lose weight: 2 kilos (4.4 lbs)
Scavenger Hunt Pics: 4/3
03-29-2023 04:50
03-29-2023 04:50
My goals for April
1.6 km (1 mile) per day for 26 days -/26 (marathon goal)
10,000 steps a day for 20 days -/20
12 days over 12,000 -/12
5 days over 15,000 steps -/5
20 exercise sessions (swim, bike, vigorous walk, dance) -/20
3 Scavenger Hunt pics -/3
250km on my bike -/250
Helen | Western Australia
Want to discuss ways to increase your activity? Visit Get Moving in the Lifestyle Discussion Forum.
03-30-2023 08:22
03-30-2023 08:22
APRIL GOALS
150 floors every day that I'm at home in Shropshire
10 miles at least with Walter the collie every day, wherever we are.
Play the piano to Walter every day.
In bed by midnight ever day..
..and by 11pm at least 5 days in every 7.
Cleaning/DIY/gardening every day when I'm at home.
3 Scavenger Hunt photos
30,000 steps every day.
04-01-2023 05:26
04-01-2023 05:26
1 April
1.6 km (1 mile) per day for 26 days -/26 (marathon goal)
10,000 steps a day for 20 days -/20
12 days over 12,000 -/12
5 days over 15,000 steps -/5
20 exercise sessions (swim, bike, vigorous walk, dance) 1/20
3 Scavenger Hunt pics 1/3
250km on my bike 51/250
Australian White Ibis
ibis make me smile because I used to have a 'pet' Ibis. He flew in to our 4 acre block and must have hit a wire fence as he had a broken wing and couldn't fly out again. We kept an eye on him and he lived on our block for several months. I felt really sorry for him as you could see he wanted to fly out when other Ibis visited. He wasn't really a pet - he was still a wild bird but he got kind of used to us being around. I liked him
Helen | Western Australia
Want to discuss ways to increase your activity? Visit Get Moving in the Lifestyle Discussion Forum.
04-01-2023 06:05
04-01-2023 06:05
Stress Free Marathon April 2023 Challenge
@Baltoscott I love the idea of the 30 Day Marathon. Have thought of starting to run but was overwhelmed until you posted this. Small steps right?!
My challenge this month is to continue with my steps to accomplish my goal for the year of 3,650,000 steps
Now that I have been with Fitbit for a year I would like to beat last years numbers
To date for the year I have reached 1,022,778/3,650,000 steps
Goals to beat:
April 2022
/375,909 steps
/324 floors
/261.94 km
30 Day Marathon (1 mile =1.6 km)
/30
Bike Ride (once the snow goes away)
/4
Loose 2 lbs
/2
Scavenger Hunt pics of things that make me happy (can only post 3?? 😉 )
2/3
sunset at my happy place
my handsome boy
04-01-2023 09:49
04-01-2023 09:49
Stress-free April - Day 1
8,000 steps: 0/15 days
10,000 steps: 1/5 days
12,000 steps: 0/4 days
Rebounding: 1/15 days
Weights 2x/week: 8 days
Blue Days: 1/10 days
Lose weight: 2 kilos (4.4 lbs)
Scavenger Hunt Pics: 0/3
04-02-2023 01:45 - edited 04-02-2023 04:24
04-02-2023 01:45 - edited 04-02-2023 04:24
2 April
1.6 km (1 mile) per day for 26 days 1/26 (marathon goal)
10,000 steps a day for 20 days 1/20
12 days over 12,000 1/12
5 days over 15,000 steps -/5
20 exercise sessions (swim, bike, vigorous walk, dance) 3/20
3 Scavenger Hunt pics 1/3
250km on my bike 51/250
Helen | Western Australia
Want to discuss ways to increase your activity? Visit Get Moving in the Lifestyle Discussion Forum.
04-02-2023 09:46
04-02-2023 09:46
My goals for stress-free April: (starting today, April 2)
13k steps per day - 16 days
10k steps per day - 4 days
16k steps per day - 4 days
18k steps per day - 3 days
over 20k steps per day - 2 days
Weights - 3 days per week
Yoga/pilates/stretch- 3 days per week
90 oz Water every day
8 pound weight loss
3 (at least) for photo scavenger hunt.
THANK YOU for sharing this, I was a dire challenge groupie. I will share with friends.
Scavenger Hunt Photos of Joy - 3 or more posts
04-03-2023 04:20
04-03-2023 04:20
3 April
1.6 km (1 mile) per day for 26 days 2/26 (marathon goal)
10,000 steps a day for 20 days 1/20
12 days over 12,000 1/12
5 days over 15,000 steps -/5
20 exercise sessions (swim, bike, vigorous walk, dance) 5/20
3 Scavenger Hunt pics 1/3
250km on my bike 103/250
Helen | Western Australia
Want to discuss ways to increase your activity? Visit Get Moving in the Lifestyle Discussion Forum.
04-03-2023 04:58
04-03-2023 04:58
Stress-Free Marathon April 1 to 2
17.7k Steps/Day Weekdays:-/20
9.5K Steps/Day Weekends: -/10
2000 Calorie Limit/Day: 2/30
IF Daily (12 hr weekday/16:8 weekend): 01/30
Weights 2x/week: -/8
Stretch 4x/week: -/15
Squats 30/day: --/10
80oz Water daily: -/30
Lose 3 pounds: --/3
Photo Scavenger Hunt: -/3
Total Steps: 5,004/450,000
It was a weekend of relaxing since Friday was chaos with the one candidate. Two more tomorrow. Went to a couple antique stores Saturday. I didn't buy anything but it's ironic to start seeing things from my childhood in some of the antique stalls!
04-03-2023 06:09
04-03-2023 06:09
Stress-free April - Day 2
8,000 steps: 0/15 days
10,000 steps: 1/5 days
12,000 steps: 0/4 days
Rebounding: 1/15 days
Weights 2x/week: 0/8 days
Blue Days: 1/10 days
Lose weight: 2 kilos (4.4 lbs)
Scavenger Hunt Pics: 0/3
The day was a complete bust as far as goals are concerned. Spent the whole day with various groups of people, sitting and eating.
04-03-2023 16:25
04-03-2023 16:25
Welcome to the challenge @jantonini
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
04-03-2023 18:21 - edited 04-03-2023 20:16
04-03-2023 18:21 - edited 04-03-2023 20:16
Stress Free Day 3
17K steps/day for 25 days | 1/25 | |
1 pushup | 3/25 | |
10 weight-lifting days | 1/14 | |
post 3 scavenger pics | 3/3 | |
Sleep 6:00 hours + 15 days or more during the month | 1/15 | |
1 pull-up (modified) | 3/25 | |
Unicycle: 15 mins/day for 25 days | 3/25 | |
13 Dry (no alcohol) days | 1/15 | |
Beat April 2022 bike mileage (260.9 miles) | 44 |
Attitude
A hop and a skip
Big Brother?
Scott | Baltimore MD
Charge 6; Inspire 3; Luxe; iPhone 13 Pro
04-03-2023 22:21
04-03-2023 22:21
Stress-free April - Day 2
8,000 steps: 1/15 days
10,000 steps: 1/5 days
12,000 steps: 0/4 days
Rebounding: 2/15 days
Weights 2x/week: 0/8 days
Blue Days: 2/10 days
Lose 2 kilos (current weight: 58.3): -.3 (58.0)
Scavenger Hunt Pics: 0/3