30 Days Squat Challenge
This was an
impulsive decision to make as I know the kind of person I am but I wanted to
try out the 30 day squat challenge. I actually hate the size of my bum (its big
but not round) and don’t see why people are so overly obsessed with having a
big bum but I got a lot more understanding of why it was such a trend when I started
doing a college course called Extended Project Qualify, where you chose a
topic, research it and list the information you found in a logbook and write a
5,000 word essay on what you researched and found out. You also have to do a
short presentation to your class after you have completed your research.
As I am a Fashion
student, I wanted to incorporate something that related to fashion for my
question and finally decided to go with the history of the female body form and
how it has changed over time. One of the things I mentioned in my essay was
fitness and health: I talked about the detox tea that is trending, the waist
trainer and squats!
When I was
researching information on squats, I was intrigued by it and discovered the 30
Day Squat Challenge. At the time, I didn’t feel particularly interested in
trying it out however after writing 3/4 of the essay, I decided to try it out.
After giving it a go, I decided to stick to trying out the 30 day challenge and
see where it takes me. I should warn you that this is like a diary entry so it
was written on the day mentioned and there will be reference of me ‘updating
you’ about this even though I have posted it. Also note that the italic writing
is a quote that I either remembered or just made up to kind of motive me and
you.
Here’s how
it went...
Day 1: 14th April 2015
As I didn’t
intend to do the challenge but wanted to try it out, I decided start off by
doing 30 squats. At first, I did it completely wrong (this was before going on
their website), my feet weren’t touching the ground and my legs weren't apart.
I did about 5 of those before I felt like I was doing it wrong (my EPQ research
reminded me of that as I had images of the 'proper' way to do squats on my
essay).
When I did
finally get it right, I did 30 then searched for the 30 day challenge image and
did another 20. The first 20 was okay, I was out of breath but I expected that (I'm really not fit, but
I'm trying), the next 10 was tough as my thighs began to pins and needles, I felt my hamstring justifying
away at my fat and I literally felt like my thighs were burning. This got a lot
worst by the time I got to 50 squats- I was sweating like never before (who
knew?) and really felt dehydrated. Overall it was tough, but all things start tough; you just got to make
the most of it and adapt yourself to new things.
Day 2:
15th April 2015
I went to
bed after my first squat challenge and I can tell you now that I woke up with
heavy thighs filled with pain- it got better during the day however it wasn't
just my thigh muscles that were aching though; my arms were shooting pain
throughout my body. By the time, I did the next 55 squats which were around 11.
20pm, I didn't think I could do it. It was rough but it certainly wasn't as bad
as the first day. Time will tell what will happen to my body between now and
when I update you tomorrow. Just remember, do
actions that make you proud and happy, never make intentions about yourself for
others if it isn't something you want for yourself.
Day 3:
16th April 2015
When I woke
up this morning, my thighs weren't hurting until I stretched. The struggle is
real ladies and gents! I found myself stretching as much as possible during the
day to release the pain and make sure that my joints and movements didn’t stop.
I've decided
to actually do my squats in the afternoon around 5pm and then go for a walk. I
feel as though, perhaps doing the squats and then going to bed wasn't such a
good idea- that's probably why it's so painful but we'll see how this plays
out. There is no beauty without pain.
Day 4:
17th April 2014.
Today is a
resting day! Thank God for that! Luckily, it isn't so bad but I'm still
struggling to strength my legs fully without the pain. Tomorrow I have 70
squats to do. Wish me luck. Resting and
relaxing are two different things- make sure you know the difference.
Day 5:
18th April 2015.
That
relaxing day made me nearly forget about my squats and I ended up doing them
last minute just before bed- luckily the pain in my thighs had gone and I was
all better until I went to bed when the pain would occasionally welcome itself
into my life. Tomorrow, I will be doing 75 squats but this time I won't do them
together at the same time. Pace yourself
for good things come to those who wait.
Day 6:
19th April 2015.
Today was a
busy day! I had so much coursework to do as well as take a relaxing bath using
bath salts to relax my muscles. I ended up doing them just before I went to the
bath- and now it turns out my thighs are OK but my lower back is starting to
become painful. The end result is worth
all the pain... Hopefully.
Day 7:
20th April 2015.
Today's
squats turned out to be OK. I ended up doing them all at once which by the time
I was done- I felt like my body was burning and I was sweating. I went to my
brother's room and just opened the window and let the air wash over me- It felt
good. Let it rain on my parade.
Day 8:
21st April 2015
Today was a
day off- didn't really need one but who am I to complain! If you're given the
time for freedom- spend it wisely, for once you get back into working, you'll
wish for that freedom again.
Day 9:
22nd April 2015
I'm a bad
girl- I didn't do my squats today! I just got lazy but to keep up to track I
will do the extra 100 tomorrow alongside my 105 squats: surely my thighs are
going to kill! Once you make personal plans- stick to them because you'll only
be disappointing yourself when it doesn't go according to your plans.
Day 10:
23rd April 2015
So basically
today I'm going to be doing 205 squats. Sound like fun? Not! I first did 105
squats to get today's ones out of the way and took a 15 minute rest as my
thighs were starting to ache badly and then went on to do yesterday's 100
squats. I had to pace myself and move positions quite often to keep going and
not having to strain. It was tough but it's been an eye opener to what I should
expect near the end of the challenge as they range in above 200 squats a day. I
want to make sure that when that time comes I will see the change in how I
perform the squats. I'm hoping it will be much easier to stimulate the squats
and finish them with minimum pain. When
you know you could have done better- always be sure to do exactly that the next
time round so that you don't disappoint yourself.
Day 11:
24th April 2015
I did the
squats just before I went to bed. By bed, I don't mean sleep but just going to
bed and browsing on my phone. It turned out OK- but again my thighs started to
ache as a lot of strain was being put on them with the lengthy squats. As
expected when I started the challenge with the 50-80 squats, I believe that
over time I will also get used to the strain that goes to my thighs with longer
squats I'm taking. I remember feeling so tired and weak when I started this
challenge and the pain was numbing. But you adapt and grow and evolve yourself.
That's what the challenge really is to me. I'm not a fitness kind of girl but
once you get into fitness it does make you realise how unfit you really are. My
body was so used to not doing any exercise aside from walking and running
(mainly for the bus) that when I began doing the squats only then did my
muscles untighten and become more loose and free. Change is scary but ideally, it is life changing.
Day 12:
25th April 2015
Today is
another day off! I woke up feeling no pain to my thighs and legs which is a
good thing. Tomorrow is going to be 130 squats. Not dreading it like I thought
I would. I'm kind of indifferent about it now. Life goes on.
Day 13:
26th April 2015
Another day,
a new beginning. I have to get through coursework and a bunch of house chores
and then I will be able to do the squats. That's a lie- I didn't get to do the
squats. I'm a bad person but I want to be honest about this whole experience.
I've been slacking because of coursework and deadlines. I know it's no excuse
but honestly o just can't be asked after boring myself with coursework stuff. Don't give up.
Day
14/15: 27/28th April 2015
I got busy
with coursework deadlines again and just didn't make time for my squats. I
don't know if I should make up for them tomorrow or am I just defeating the
purpose of the challenge? I promise to get back on track seeing as I've missed
3 days worth of squats! Someone's getting lazy over here. Always be the one to pick yourself up, not everyone is going to help
you- only you can help yourself.
Day 16:
29th April 2015
I'm getting
back on track! It's supposed to be a rest day but instead I'm doing 140 squats!
I've noticed that having had far too many breaks will affect your performance.
I feel like I'm redoing the whole squat challenge. Pick yourself up when you fall down.
Day 17:
30th April 2015
I did 150
squats. It was okay but I can see that not keeping up to the schedule has taken
its toll on me and made me weaker in keeping my momentum. Some things are better left undone.
Day
18/19: 1st/2nd May 2015
I feel like
I'm giving up- I just can't be bothered. There's
a time and a place for everything. Right now clearly isn't the time.
Day 20:
3rd May 2015
It's a day
off but I ended up doing 160 squats that was technically Day 19. I had done it
just before I had a really cold shower. It felt great! Perhaps this is the way
for me to continue to do squats.
Day
21-30: 4th May 2015 - 13th May 2015
Over the
course of the next 9 days, I tried to do some squats but honestly this isn’t
the sort of life style I want. I do want to be fit however my bum isn’t my
biggest issue. There are many ways to keep yourself looking fit and I think,
first and foremost, it begins with what you eat. You may be one of those people
who eats a lot and has no weight gain however overtime it will affect you so
it’s important that you eat a balanced diet and keep track of what you eat. The
next step to looking fit is trying different exercises such as yoga, Pilates
etc. to find what works best for you. As you can see, squats do not work for me
but I will be trying out yoga next. There are also some great apps which you
can use to keep yourself in shape.
You’ll find that somethings won’t work the
way you want it to but it’s up to you as to how you deal with the situation.
Remember, you are in control.