http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com
Below I will document my progress and thoughts through each day.
Starting Stats:
- Weight = 162 (I know, I know... I gained all my weight from last year plus additional pounds... I am ashamed and determined to try harder this year!)
- Arm Measurement = 13.75 inches (this is all fat, I measured the thickest part of my arm - I have had chubby arms my whole life and I hate it!)
Day 1
Today's Challenge - 6 Tri Dips/ 4 Push Ups / 8 Mountain Climbers
Like all challenges, Day 1 is the easiest day! It felt good getting my sedentary muscles moving again and I have to admit, I wanted to do more (maybe its the new year talking). What I hope to gain from this challenge (and through some additional exercise) is to get slimmer arms.
Day 2
Today's Challenge - 6 Tri Dips/ 4 Push Ups / 8 Mountain Climbers
Day 2 of the challenge was the same amount of dips, push ups and climbers as yesterday. Pretty easy day and I'm still feeling like I can do more which is why I have signed up for a second challenge, 30 day flat abs challenge. I don't know if I am biting off more than I can chew but I feel inspired and motivated and want to take advantage of this feeling. I will post my flat abs challenge on a separate post from this one.
But as far as the 30 day arms challenge, its only day 2 so I am feeling really good!
Day 3
Today's Challenge - 6 Tri Dips/ 5 Push Ups / 10 Mountain Climbers
Its only day 3 and the challenge still feels easy, I even did a few extra pushups today! As for doing two challenges at the same time, so far I do not feel any soreness but I know as we get further into the challenge that will change. Looking forward to day 4!
Day 4
Today's Challenge - 6 Tri Dips/ 5 Push Ups / 10 Mountain Climbers
Between the two challenges that I am doing (arms & abs) as well as the extra gym time I have been putting in, the 30 day arm challenge is still very much doable. Today I went to the gym and put in some time on the treadmill and did a few sets of arm exercises. I just pray that if I stick with my daily regime that I will see results. At the end of all this, if I am still going hard and end up having no change what-so-ever to my starting stats I will be very sad. That's just the truth. If I get brave, maybe I'll post some progress pics (still working up to it, but insecurities get in the way).
Day 5
Rest Day
Day 6
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 6 Push Ups / 10 Mountain Climbers
I got the arms challenge out of the way early and did my reps in the morning. As for the rest of the day, I considered it arms day. I did the YouTube video called "6 min to sexy arms" by Blogilates (it was a no weights needed video but it was deceptively hard and you really feel the burn!). I also hit the gym after work and spent 30 min on the treadmill (fast walking).
One of the best things about today is that it was a snow day and on those days no one is at the gym! I had the whole gym to myself and I was able to use whatever machine I wanted to. I did 3 sets on 3 different machines focusing on the arms.
Day 7
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 6 Push Ups / 12 Mountain Climbers
I was checking out my arms today in the mirror and I have to say they do feel more solid compared to prior to the challenge where it was mostly squishy. But as far as the width, I have not measured them but they don't look any slimmer [insert sad face]. I know that its only been 7 days but I am just eager to have that day where I can look into the mirror and see progress.
Aside from my daily arms challenge I dedicated the rest of my days workouts to my legs and abs and I know Ill be feeling it tomorrow! I'm planning on going to bed early tonight to give my body a chance to recuperate.
Day 8
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 8 Push Ups / 12 Mountain Climbers
Today was more challenging than usual, I had to take a mini-break when doing push-ups. My biceps definitely have a more solid feeling (in comparison to when I started) but my triceps are still squishy like a marshmallow. For the rest of todays workout I concentrated on my back muscles and it was tough. I'm still going strong and my attitude is still positive, bring on day 9!
Day 9
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 8 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
This morning I woke up at 1am having a lot of stomach pain and it lasted 4.5 hours. I was starting to think that maybe I had appendicitis because normally stomach aches don't last very long for me. Thankfully after 4+ hours it started to feel better and I was able to get some sleep. I think it was most likely something I had ate the night before and it was painfully passing through my system. I will NEVER eat at this place ever again!
As far as today's arms challenge I didn't want to miss a day so fortunately late in the afternoon I started to feel better, if anything I was just overly cautious and didn't want to eat anything big. The tri dips were no problem, the push ups went surprisingly well, I was able to do them in one go which is an improvement. The mountain climbers I took slower than usual today because I wasn't in the mood to have my stomach contents jiggled (but i still did them).
Hopefully tonight I can get a full nights rest and get back to my normal self and hit the gym tomorrow!
Day 10
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 8 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
I did things a little backwards today and ended up going to the gym first and did my daily challenges after. At the gym I did a few minutes on the treadmill and then did a few sets on the machines focusing on arms. I had the gym to myself so I did my dips on the dip machine (using the assistance pad) and it was a lot tougher than doing them at home. Once I got home I did my push ups which was a struggle considering I had just gotten done doing a few sets in the gym and I also did my mountain climbers. Day 10 and I'm still going strong!
Day 11
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 8 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
I started my days fitness routine in the gym and focused on leg exercises and a little bit of abs. My 10 dips I once again did in the gym using the dip machine. I finished at home doing my push-ups and mountain climbers. I really do not like mountain climbers but they are effective. I know I sound like a broken record but my arms feel like they are getting stronger but they don't look any slimmer, whats up with that?
Day 12
Rest Day
Day 13
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 8 Push Ups / 12 Mountain Climbers
I was a little surprised that the reps in the challenge decreased today, if anything I thought they would increase. I hit the gym today and this time did 30 min on the elliptical. While I was on the elliptical I was debating whether or not to workout on the machines (in other words, I was feeling lazy). In the end I told myself that if I wanted to see results I have to work hard for it. I ended up doing 4 sets on the group of arm focused machines I normal use. I was really proud of myself for not giving into laziness today.
As for the reps for the arms challenge, I did my dips on the dip machine and pushups/mountain climbers in the comfort of my own home. I'm feeling really good, I hope I start seeing obvious results soon!
Day 14
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 8 Push Ups / 12 Mountain Climbers
I'm pretty sure my arms are getting stronger, even though I worked out hard yesterday I didn't really feel any soreness today. That means I'm getting stronger, right? It was a long work day, I worked 13 hours and did not get a chance to go to the gym but I did do my reps for my arms challenge (and my abs challenge) and also got in a few butt exercises.
Day 15
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 12 Mountain Climbers
I am half way through the challenge! I was able to make it to the gym today and I did my 30 min on the elliptical. The hardest thing for me at the moment when I'm doing cardio ( I consider the treadmill and elliptical machine cardio) is that I get bored. If my mind is not actively entertaining itself the minutes feel long. I also did a few sets of leg workouts and got brave and tried out the butt machine while other people were present, lets just say, I had to use the lowest weight setting. I'm sure this machine has a technical name, I just know that it works out my butt muscles so I've labeled it "the butt machine".
As far as the reps for my daily challenge, I did my dips on the dip machine at the gym and my pushups and mountain climbers at home. Still not liking those mountain climbers, but I still do them.
Day 16
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
No impressive updates today, its Friday and the start of a three day weekend! I know I should have gone to the gym today but I didn't. I did try to make up for it and did a few workouts at home so I was not totally stagnant. I did my daily 30 day challenge reps (arms and abs) and I also added on a few extra home workouts doing extra sets of pushups, dips and ab exercises. I even did a set of burpees which I just hate but I did them because I know that they are effective.
Day 17
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
I did my daily reps for my 30 day arms challenge (and abs) and ended up just rounding the Push Ups to 10 reps. For my extra workout I did Blogilates videos "Victoria Secret Angel Arm Slimming Workout" and "Victoria Secret Model Ab Workout". During the arms video I just about wanted to die, it was tough! I thought that since I've been going to the gym and working out on the machines which I lift more than 5lbs it would be easier. Oh no-no-no... during the workout video we only had to use 5lb weights but by the middle of the workout those 5lb weights felt like boulders. Am I the only one that looks at a video and checks how long the video is before deciding to do it? The arms video was 17:11 minutes long which I was not enthused about but you know what, I hit play anyways!
Day 18
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
I took a nap before my workout today and I think it gave me extra energy because I was able to accomplish a lot in the gym today. I did my normal daily reps for my arms challenge, I did 30 min on the elliptical at the gym and I did my round of leg focused workouts adding an extra set on top of what I normally do. I did my dips on the dip machine and instead of doing just one set, I did 3 sets which is a major improvement for me! I'm proud of myself today :)
Day 19
Rest Day
Day 20
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 18 Mountain Climbers
Those mountain climbers only increased by 3 reps but it felt like a lot today. Maybe it seems that way because I hate mountain climbers. I did make it to the gym and got in some cardio, I wanted to workout my arms today but some dudes were on the machines I wanted to use. I wanted to use the dip machine for my dips, but of course some dude was using it as an arm rest as he texted whoever. I should have told him to move out of the way but I didn't. I look like a small little mouse compared to his gorilla sized stature.
I ended up finishing my workouts at home but instead of focusing on arms I instead worked on my butt and did the butt workout from "BeFit" on youtube.
Day 21
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 18 Mountain Climbers
I did my dips on the dip machine at the gym today and I struggled with just the 10. The strange thing is, some days its easy and I can do more than one set, then the next day it feels harder. Even my pushups felt more difficult today...
I went beast mode in the gym today and did a full body workout mostly because it was crowded and I used all the machines that happened to be free. My arms are getting stronger (more solid feeling) but not any slimmer. I want slimmer! So most likely I need to start focusing on dropping lbs on the scale if I want to see the results I want. So that means, more cardio...
Less than 10 days left in the challenge and I'm still going strong!
Day 22
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 18 Mountain Climbers
Every day I do my reps for my challenge and every day I make a face when it comes to doing the mountain climbers. I still do them but I just don't like them. I made it to the gym today and to my delight there were only ladies in the gym so I felt very comfortable. I know I shouldn't care or feel insecure but I have a small gym and when there are guys in there I feel a little more timid sharing the machines with them. They have the machines set on 100+ lbs and I come along and change it to 15-20lbs lol. I know the guys in the gym don't care and don't give it a second thought but I'm still building up my gym confidence. I worked out hard today and might need to take it easy tomorrow but I'll see how my muscles feel in the morning.
Day 23
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 20Mountain Climbers
No great updates today, I was feeling a little fatigued from yesterday so I decided to take it easy today and only do the reps for my arms and abs challenge.
Day 24
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 20Mountain Climbers
I got a little lazy updating my blog last night but what I did remember to do was my workout. I did the reps for my arms and abs challenge and for the rest of my workout I decided to do Blogilates video "The ULTIMATE Hot Body Workout for Flat Abs, Slim Inner Thighs, Perky Butt & Toned Arms". It was exhausting but I felt really good completing the 17 min video. Cassey had us do cobra pushups which killed my arms!
Day 25
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 20 Mountain Climbers
For day 25 I did do my reps for my arms challenge and for the rest of the days workout I ended up doing similar workout to yesterday. I did cobra pushups which hurt like hell but honestly it feels so effective like my fat is melting off and I also did extra ab focused exercises.
Day 26
Rest Day
Day 27
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 22 Mountain Climbers
I've failed to update my blog post entry for three days, now I'm playing catch up. But I am proud that I have been working out daily and have not missed a day of workouts! On day 27 I of course did my reps for my arms challenge (and abs challenge). Feeling inspired to murder the fat on my arms I've been including those cobra pushups into my daily routine. As for my remainder workout for the day I did Blogilates video called "6 min to a Sexy Little Waist".
Day 28
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 22 Mountain Climbers
Day 28, every post I have to resist going on a rant on mountain climbers, I just hate them so much. Did my reps for my two challenges, I can't remember what else went on this day but I did do the Blogilates video "3 min thigh challenge".
Day 29
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 22 Mountain Climbers
Day 29, wow the days really feel like they went quickly! One more day of workouts and my challenge is over, I feel great that I accomplished a lot and didn't give up on either of my two challenges. If anything I pushed myself during the two challenges to do additional workouts. As for day 29, I did my reps for my challenges and for my remanding workouts for the day I found so intense workout music on YouTube and did a random variations of abs, butt and a little bit of arms workouts.
Day 30 is actually today, once I finish my days workouts I'll post my 2nd to last entry for this challenge!
Day 30
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 12 Push Ups / 25 Mountain Climbers
Day 30, I have successfully completed the 30 day arms challenge! I seriously feel like I need to signup for another arms challenge, my arms is one of the areas I just hate, I wish they were slim and dainty. I'll post my final stats tomorrow morning, not expecting any miracles...
End of Challenge Stats
Day 16
Today's Challenge - 8 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
No impressive updates today, its Friday and the start of a three day weekend! I know I should have gone to the gym today but I didn't. I did try to make up for it and did a few workouts at home so I was not totally stagnant. I did my daily 30 day challenge reps (arms and abs) and I also added on a few extra home workouts doing extra sets of pushups, dips and ab exercises. I even did a set of burpees which I just hate but I did them because I know that they are effective.
Day 17
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
I did my daily reps for my 30 day arms challenge (and abs) and ended up just rounding the Push Ups to 10 reps. For my extra workout I did Blogilates videos "Victoria Secret Angel Arm Slimming Workout" and "Victoria Secret Model Ab Workout". During the arms video I just about wanted to die, it was tough! I thought that since I've been going to the gym and working out on the machines which I lift more than 5lbs it would be easier. Oh no-no-no... during the workout video we only had to use 5lb weights but by the middle of the workout those 5lb weights felt like boulders. Am I the only one that looks at a video and checks how long the video is before deciding to do it? The arms video was 17:11 minutes long which I was not enthused about but you know what, I hit play anyways!
Day 18
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 15 Mountain Climbers
I took a nap before my workout today and I think it gave me extra energy because I was able to accomplish a lot in the gym today. I did my normal daily reps for my arms challenge, I did 30 min on the elliptical at the gym and I did my round of leg focused workouts adding an extra set on top of what I normally do. I did my dips on the dip machine and instead of doing just one set, I did 3 sets which is a major improvement for me! I'm proud of myself today :)
Day 19
Rest Day
Day 20
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 9 Push Ups / 18 Mountain Climbers
Those mountain climbers only increased by 3 reps but it felt like a lot today. Maybe it seems that way because I hate mountain climbers. I did make it to the gym and got in some cardio, I wanted to workout my arms today but some dudes were on the machines I wanted to use. I wanted to use the dip machine for my dips, but of course some dude was using it as an arm rest as he texted whoever. I should have told him to move out of the way but I didn't. I look like a small little mouse compared to his gorilla sized stature.
I ended up finishing my workouts at home but instead of focusing on arms I instead worked on my butt and did the butt workout from "BeFit" on youtube.
Day 21
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 18 Mountain Climbers
I did my dips on the dip machine at the gym today and I struggled with just the 10. The strange thing is, some days its easy and I can do more than one set, then the next day it feels harder. Even my pushups felt more difficult today...
I went beast mode in the gym today and did a full body workout mostly because it was crowded and I used all the machines that happened to be free. My arms are getting stronger (more solid feeling) but not any slimmer. I want slimmer! So most likely I need to start focusing on dropping lbs on the scale if I want to see the results I want. So that means, more cardio...
Less than 10 days left in the challenge and I'm still going strong!
Day 22
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 18 Mountain Climbers
Every day I do my reps for my challenge and every day I make a face when it comes to doing the mountain climbers. I still do them but I just don't like them. I made it to the gym today and to my delight there were only ladies in the gym so I felt very comfortable. I know I shouldn't care or feel insecure but I have a small gym and when there are guys in there I feel a little more timid sharing the machines with them. They have the machines set on 100+ lbs and I come along and change it to 15-20lbs lol. I know the guys in the gym don't care and don't give it a second thought but I'm still building up my gym confidence. I worked out hard today and might need to take it easy tomorrow but I'll see how my muscles feel in the morning.
Day 23
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 20Mountain Climbers
No great updates today, I was feeling a little fatigued from yesterday so I decided to take it easy today and only do the reps for my arms and abs challenge.
Day 24
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 10 Push Ups / 20Mountain Climbers
I got a little lazy updating my blog last night but what I did remember to do was my workout. I did the reps for my arms and abs challenge and for the rest of my workout I decided to do Blogilates video "The ULTIMATE Hot Body Workout for Flat Abs, Slim Inner Thighs, Perky Butt & Toned Arms". It was exhausting but I felt really good completing the 17 min video. Cassey had us do cobra pushups which killed my arms!
Day 25
Today's Challenge - 10 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 20 Mountain Climbers
For day 25 I did do my reps for my arms challenge and for the rest of the days workout I ended up doing similar workout to yesterday. I did cobra pushups which hurt like hell but honestly it feels so effective like my fat is melting off and I also did extra ab focused exercises.
Day 26
Rest Day
Day 27
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 22 Mountain Climbers
I've failed to update my blog post entry for three days, now I'm playing catch up. But I am proud that I have been working out daily and have not missed a day of workouts! On day 27 I of course did my reps for my arms challenge (and abs challenge). Feeling inspired to murder the fat on my arms I've been including those cobra pushups into my daily routine. As for my remainder workout for the day I did Blogilates video called "6 min to a Sexy Little Waist".
Day 28
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 22 Mountain Climbers
Day 28, every post I have to resist going on a rant on mountain climbers, I just hate them so much. Did my reps for my two challenges, I can't remember what else went on this day but I did do the Blogilates video "3 min thigh challenge".
Day 29
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 11 Push Ups / 22 Mountain Climbers
Day 29, wow the days really feel like they went quickly! One more day of workouts and my challenge is over, I feel great that I accomplished a lot and didn't give up on either of my two challenges. If anything I pushed myself during the two challenges to do additional workouts. As for day 29, I did my reps for my challenges and for my remanding workouts for the day I found so intense workout music on YouTube and did a random variations of abs, butt and a little bit of arms workouts.
Day 30 is actually today, once I finish my days workouts I'll post my 2nd to last entry for this challenge!
Day 30
Today's Challenge - 12 Tri Dips/ 12 Push Ups / 25 Mountain Climbers
Day 30, I have successfully completed the 30 day arms challenge! I seriously feel like I need to signup for another arms challenge, my arms is one of the areas I just hate, I wish they were slim and dainty. I'll post my final stats tomorrow morning, not expecting any miracles...
End of Challenge Stats
- Weight = 158
- Arm Measurement = 13.75 inches
Overall I lost 4lbs which is 1lb a week which I hear is a good goal to achieve. As far as my arms getting slimmer, there was no change to the measuring tape! I know I have muscle because I can feel them, they feel more solid. I have been researching online and have learned that just because you are targeting an area during a workout does not mean that area will automatically get slimmer. You have overall lose weight to start seeing the slimming results across all areas of your body. This makes total sense but a part of me is a little disappointed that I'm still far off from having slim arms.
When I look in the mirror I overall think I look great, I do look slimmer in my waist section and I still feel motivated to keep going and keep working out. I know its not realistic to workout for a month and poof have a beautiful sexy body but damn, I wish it happened faster. But faster does not equal healthy. And you know what, losing 1lb a week is really good! If I keep it up and continue to lose 1lb a week, by summer I'll have a banging body!
What challenge shall I tackle next?
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