Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge

[Baltoscott]

December 10

I'm doing a Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge at my gym and thought it would be fun to share with the community.  

It is a cumulative challenge.  Here is how it works.  On the First Day of Christmas, instead of a Partridge in a Pear Tree,  I'll give you an exercise to do.  Not too hard.  On the second day of Christmas, instead of a Partridge in a Pear Tree and Two Turtle Doves, I will give the first exercise, and a second.  On the third day, three exercises, and so on. 

If you miss a day, or see this late and still want to join, you can just double or triple up the missed days with the current day.  For example, if you don't join until day three.  You would do the day one exercise, then the day two exercises, and then the day three exercises all on day three. (You might need to get to a gym for some of these, but a gym isn't required; if a particular exercise is too hard or you don't have available equipment you can substitute something similar, but part of the fun is trying to do them all).

The first day of Christmas is tomorrow, December 11, which is when I will give you the first exercise.  Post here when you finish each day. Lets see how many people we can get on board to sweat a little (just a little) during the last month of 2017! 

[Jotex]

Day 4 Challenge complete. I took your advice @Baltoscott and didn’t use weights, and started on hands and knees. Glad we don’t have to video ourselves! 

[WendyB]

1 minute plank Done
3 reps of 12 Curls Done
3 mile walk Done
4 Man Markers on knees Done

[Julia_G]

Day 4 tasks done!  I am very sceptical about my man maker technique...

Also, how many times do you think we have to do man makers before we are made men?  Will 9 days do it?  Can we have some woman makers to undo the damage, just in case?

[Baltoscott]

December 15

On the Fifth Day of Christmas @Baltoscott gave to me, a one minute plank, two pull-ups (assisted or regular), and three county blocks (0.5 mile on treadmill or walking about), four man makers, and five pistol squats (each leg).

If you've never done a pistol (one leg) squat before, you probably won't be able to do it today.  It is really hard.  Not just a leg strength exercise, but a lot of core and balance.  If you can master it, you will feel like you are ready to join Cirque du Soleil. 

Easier alternatives: free squat using both legs (of course!); sitting on a bench/chair and sticking one leg out and then getting up with just the other. 

Here is another link showing how to progress and learn the exercise.  (I like this bottom up approach a little better, but the other one shows how to use a bench/chair which was helpful when I was learning).

[NellyG]

Well I managed todays lot. The manmakers were not a great example of manmakers, but I did them. Looking at the pistol squats for tomorrow I can tell you now that I wont be able to do them. My knees wont let me. But I will try partial ones.

[Baltoscott]

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@Jotex wrote:

Day 4 Challenge complete. I took your advice @Baltoscott and didn’t use weights, and started on hands and knees. Glad we don’t have to video ourselves! 

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I still want to see a video of @NellyG doing the under table pull up ... And @Daves_Not_Here doing man makers with a liter beers in each hand.  

[MakMak]

Day 4 was done yesterday. @Baltoscott, I'm a little sad the pistol squats are on an odd day. By the end, I may be standing a little sideways!

[Baltoscott]

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@MakMak wrote:

Day 4 was done yesterday. @Baltoscott, I'm a little sad the pistol squats are on an odd day. By the end, I may be standing a little sideways!

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Woops ... I edited the entry and fixed that for you @MakMak.  5 pistol squat for each leg.  Everyone say it now ... Thanks @MakMak 

[MakMak]

And please don't hate me for adding to your workout! I hate being lopsided.

[WendyB]

1 minute plank Done I did this earlier and then I went out and did a @Daves_Not_Here plank later this afternoon. Was way more fun
3 reps of 12 Curls Done
3 mile walk Done
4 Man Markers on knees Done
5 on each leg Pistol Squats Done

[DramaQueenDiva]

Day 5:

1 min plank: DONE

2 pull ups: DONE

3 country blocks: DONE

4 man makers: DONE

5 pistol squats: DONE albeit with a door jam assist...grace is NOT my middle name! 😄

[MakMak]

...aaaaand Day 5 done! Pistol squats on both sides!

[Jotex]

In the spirit of Christmas (and other 'spirits'), I was AWOL from the challenge yesterday. Awaiting Day 6  challenge, and will try to get back on track. Happy weekend Peeps!

[NellyG]

Ok did it. I just did ordinary half squats though. My knees wont allow me going too low. What torture for tomorrow?

[Baltoscott]

December 16

On the Sixth Day of Christmas @Baltoscott gave to me, a one minute plank, two pull-ups (assisted or regular), and three county blocks (0.5 mile on treadmill or walking about), four man makers, five pistol squats (each leg), and six fitbit floors (or Step Mill/Stair Master).

[WendyB]

1 minute plank Done
3 reps of 12 Curls Done
3 mile walk Done
4 Man Markers on knees Done
5 on each leg Pistol Squats Done
6 Fitbit floors  This so so easy today. Is so windy I had to cut my walk short. But I got 11 Floors LOL

[Jotex]

On the 6th Day of Christmas, I did successfully: 

6 floors walked (or seven)

5 squats, done double

4 man markers, nearly

3 times .5 miles

2 half-minutes of curls

and a 1 minute plank on my knees! :musical_notes:🎄🎉

[Julia_G]

I didn't post for the 5th day because I was busy, busy, but nevertheless I accepted the lovely gifts from @Baltoscott...  

I was grateful for his sixth day gift.  I was in London with my son and soon to be daughter-in-law, and those deep, deep subways/ underground / tube are brilliant for Fitbit floors if you walk (fast) up those escalators instead of riding.  21 for the day, and they are (mostly) real.

[DramaQueenDiva]

Six floors: DONE

Five Pistol Squats: DONE

Four Man Makers: DONE

Three Country Blocks: DONE

Two Pull Ups: DONE

1One Min. Plank: DONE

[Baltoscott]

I've been to London once @Julia_G -- and those escalators are still vivid memories.  They seem to go on forever!