Advent Challenge

25 days - Ready?

🎄 Advent Challenge — A Few Words Before We Begin

As a follow-up to the “thinking” post on consistency I thought I’d provide a fun practical one.

As the sometimes chaotic nature of work, socialising, clients and family place pressure on your attention during December here is something that can give you a focus on you and your health.

Taking some time each day is huge. I’ve structured this to rotate between strength, cardio, mobility and mindset/lifestyle. The activities can be completed from as short as 1 minute through to a maximum of 30 minutes. Actually, some are no minutes at all as it’s simply changing a behaviour…. all will be revealed as you open the advent door each day.

Click to take you to The Advent Challenge calendar

A few guiding principles:

• Stay safe:

  • Warm up and cool down before the active events. Build yourself into the activity and return to calm afterwards.

  • Don’t push yourself to an injury. Challenge, yes, but if something doesn’t feel right then pause. Be kind to yourself. Discipline is about coming back again not being harsh.

  • If you’re new(er) to exercise, or returning after a break, make sure you check in with a doctor or medical professional first.

  • My role: By taking part in this challenge you acknowledge that no personal coaching, tailored programming, or individual fitness advice is being provided. There are lots of general comments but the ultimate responsibility lies with yourself. Although if you’d like dedicated guidance, reach out to me as I do offer professional coaching at all levels.

• The challenge can flex with you:

  • Accumulate reps or time throughout the day if you need. It all counts - sometimes spreading into more than one session can actually be more challenging.

  • Adapt anything. Swap movements, reduce reps, modify intensity — you know your body better than anyone. The goal is consistency not boom then bust. The greater result is sticking with the 25 days.

  • Miss a day? You’ve got options:

    • Let it go and carry on.

    • Add an extra day at the end.

    • Or pair a lifestyle day with an exercise day.

• Mind and Reflective Learning:

  • Lean into resistance. If a challenge gives you a moment of hesitation or “ugh”… that’s often the one worth doing for a new stimulus, or to understand the reluctance or story you tell yourself about it or you.

  • Don’t overly anticipate: Stay with each day. One element of the challenge is the daily reveal of something new. Frame this in your mind as a gift not a dread. When you see the activity, don’t panic. Try to take it in your stride.

Aim for consistency, not perfection. Consistency is the bigger win.

Have fun with it. Fancy hats or elf outfits are optional. Share what you are doing with others. Ask them to join you - they can start on any day.

Especially enjoy the gift on day 25. A personal reward or acknowledgement to yourself.

https://app.myadvent.net/calendar?id=by2sjnpbsxqafgz5w7yhs15aci0mr2ag