What I learned from the 30-day squat challenge
When we were back in Florida in early May, I was out for a morning jog when a video popped up on my YouTube suggestions. It was of another fitness guy, giving his feedback about his attempt at a 30-day squat challenge. Instantly I knew I had to test it out.
That’s where the idea originated from. It wasn’t an original idea by any means, but I do know that the ability to squat is one of the 4 keys to staying youthful. Anyways, when we got back home, I began on a Monday and committed, posting updates nearly everyday.
It wasn’t convenient by any stretch of the imagination, but I did realize how many opportunities there are for me to work on my fitness throughout the day within mini pockets. I was doing this to see the effect it had on my hips, knees, ankles and lower back. Not to mention it’s the natural way to crap, which inspired me further to get the old Squatty Potty back out to begin using again.
I am happy to report that I noticed an improvement in how all of the aforementioned joints feel and I can now get out of the bottom by standing straight up.
In case you weren’t aware, I have had two very major knee injuries and surgeries, one on each knee, and don’t get me wrong, they are great now, but at first, getting out of the bottom of this took some time. I had to be pretty gingerly with my knees, because of them locking up in that position. I figured out ways to modify this position so that anyone can do it. And although it was cool to see the physical effects it had on me, that wasn’t my biggest takeaway.
The first biggest a-ha was that I can use this squat position to rejuvenate myself and to work on my fitness no matter the environment. I did this throughout bus stops, cafes and wineries throughout Italy. It helped to energize me after our super long first day of travel, when my legs were shot.
It’s ‘fitness in a bag’ if that makes sense.
But the bigger thing that I took away was that our simple acts, especially simple acts carried out with consistency can inspire others. I can’t count how many people messaged me with curiosity and that wound up doing the squat challenge themselves. So many people got to learn about the importance of fitness just by asking questions when they saw me doing it.
It opened up doorways to conversation and it allowed me to practice what I preach. It was a gateway to a new habit, which I am relieved and happy to say is 5 minutes per day going forward from this squat position. I haven’t missed a day yet.
And with those five minutes, I link 25 pushups for each round of the squat.
There are many Mind Map lessons with this approach to forming a habit, but I will save that for another time, another video.
Consistency wins. Your body is a playground. Experiment with it and use it, it'll thank you and you just never know who is watching. Be Unconventional.