Tuesday 30 October 2012

The November 30/30 Challenge - Prepare To Prepare!




Well, it is only two more days until the 'kickoff' of the November challenge, and I thought I would provide you with some ideas about how best to prepare.

Mostly, it can be a battle of the mind to get yourself started, especially if you haven't exercised for a while, or if you're forcing yourself to do this for health reasons, but you don't really want to.

Personally, I'm feeling quite pumped about it!

I have wanted to get back into exercising for so long, so it feels good to be actually doing something about it. Also having the other 'challengers' doing it alongside me to help keep me motivated, is a real plus! So thank you to those joining in.

(Haven't signed up yet? Don't worry, there's still time! Go here to see the details!)

I have already talked about making an appointment with yourself in your diary or dayplanner, so make sure you do that. It makes it much easier to stick to something when it is written down, because you can hold it and read it, rather than it just being an idea in your head. It also makes it a bit harder NOT to do it, as you have to actually cross it out, or see it all day in your diary not done. If it's just a thought in your head, one 'poof' and it's gone! You get the picture?

Here are some other ways to mentally prepare yourself:

* Make sure your workout clothes are clean and ready to wear. You've got two days to get them washed and dried if they need to be.

* Get yourself some supportive, comfortable shoes that are appropriate for the activity you are going to be doing, (if you haven't already). You don't want to do yourself an injury, just as you've got started. The same goes for a good sports bra.

* I'm not in the habit of telling people to leave things lying around the house and not where they belong, but perhaps just for the next couple of days, leave your prepared workout clothes out where you will regularly see them. That way, every time you do see them, you will be reminded of what you're about to do.

* Make yourself up a motivating playlist. There's nothing better than exercising to music that makes you feel good. It helps you to add that little bit of extra effort that you wouldn't necessarily have put in, if you weren't imagining yourself up on stage belting out a tune with Pink. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway, Rachel from Redcliffe Style has some great ideas. To view her latest playlists, click here and here.

* Make sure your Ipod, MP3 player, phone or whatever you're using is fully charged! There is nothing more frustrating than starting out on a workout and having your motivating music stop a few minutes later. Also, if you are going to be using your DVD player for doing DVD workouts, make sure it is working.

* Know ahead of time, what activity you are going to do. This won't be an issue if you are going to be just walking for the thirty days, but if you are going to be cross training, make sure you have a schedule.

* Workout with a friend! It is much harder to cancel when someone else is relying on you!

* Once the challenge has started, put on your workout gear first thing in the morning. Of course, if you have to go to work, or a meeting/appointment, you won't be able to, but if you are taking kids to school/kinder/daycare before running errands and doing normal housewifey stuff, then you can do all of those things in your exercise clothes. That way, you're ready to get stuck into it as soon as you can. It will also be a constant reminder that you still need to do it for the day.

* Have the endgame in sight. Keep reminding yourself of your reasons for doing the challenge and what you want to achieve out of it, whether it be improved health and fitness, weight loss or being a good role model for your family.

*****

Hopefully, the things I've mentioned will help you to prepare and get your mind around starting on November 1st.

Don't forget to join my Facebook page, or you'll miss all the daily updates during the challenge. The link is over to the right.

And don't forget to share this with friends and family! The more people that join in, the merrier!




Tracey




Linking up with Jess for IBOT







25 comments:

  1. Great tips Tracey - but I've not heard of 30/30! I'm guessing it has something to do with exercise!

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    1. You're right Cath. It's an exercise challenge I created in my last post. 30 minutes of exercise every day for the 30 days of November! How about you Cath....are you in? ;)

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  2. Thanks for this challenge. I blogged about it today but I am not sure that too many people read my blog but if we get someone from it - great !
    I am looking forward to this - it is the commitment that I needed to keep moving.
    Have a great day !
    Me

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    1. This comment made me laugh as I came here through your blog! Though I had already heard about the challenge, you just reminded me to stop by :)

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    2. That's lovely, thank you, and I'm so happy your looking forward to it! And I'm sure more people read your blog than you think! :-)

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  3. For the past year my only exercise has been breastfeeding, although now that I'm starting the weaning process, I can't rely on the calorie consumption from this method... so maybe it's time to exercise. Thanks for the tips. Just what I needed to kick start my exercise routine.

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    1. You should join in with us! Even just thirty minutes of walking everyday is a great way of starting back into it! :-)

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  4. What great tips for getting prepared and in the right head space - it sounds like a fantastic challenge and i can't wait to read the results!!

    #teamIBOT

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    1. I certainly hope it's going to be a good challenge Lyndal! I think it will be. There's quite a few of us doing it, so it should be fun!

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  5. Sounds interesting, I will have to check out this challenge. I am terrible at follow through and always have a ,Illinois and one excuses for not exercising but I just need to do it. I always feel so much better once I have.

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    1. That's why we're all doing it together Kylie! To help motivate each other and keep each of us accountable Come and join us! Starts on Thursday :-) All the details are in my last post!

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  6. I'm checking it out now, I've just finished months of rehearsals and performing so all of a sudden my exercise has dried up! Must get my runners back on!

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    1. This is perfect for you then Laureny! Hope you decide to join us :-)

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  7. Sounds like a great Idea but I don't think I can commit to everyday of the week. I might skip the weekends cause ours are very hectic.

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    1. Even five days a week are better than nothing Salwa! Join us during the week :-)

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  8. I'm scared, but excited : )

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    1. What? Scared of the big stick I'm going to chase you with? ;) lol

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  9. I love exercise, and generally do it every day anyway, but it's always fun to be doing it with other people! Count me in! :)

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  10. I will wash my exercise clothes tomorrow. Do you like how I did that? Pretending that they have been used recently so I need to wash them. In reality I'd better dig them out of the bottom of my draw tomorrow.

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    1. Wetting myself laughing right now Sim! Don't worry, I'm going to be digging for mine too! :-)

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  11. I am so not ready ... I just couldn't commit to something so disciplined - but I exercise as much as I can and love it so I'm there for you in spirit. Go girl!!!

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  12. I'll do my best, Tracey! We are going on holiday this month though so not sure if I can do it every day. But look forward to seeing how everyone else goes :) x

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    1. No worries Grace! Join in when you can! :)
      xx

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