Andie Thueson - The Big Book of 30-Day Fitness Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Routines to Make Working Out Fun

Box 3440 Berkeley, CA 94703 www.ulyssespress.com ISBN: 978-1-61243-952-5 Acquisitions editor: Bridget Thoreson Managing editor: Claire Chun Editor: Lauren Harrison Proofreader: Renee Rutledge Front cover design: Rebecca Lown Interior design and layout: what!design @ whatweb.com Cover art from Shutterstock.com: exercise equipment snorks; stick figures SoleilC Interior art from Shutterstock.com: NotionPic; Igogosha; Dmytro Bochkov; SunshineVector; Macrovector; solar22; pikepicture; Studio_G; ONYXprj; Nadya_Art; Artisticco; Mountain Brothers; VolkovaAnna; Leyasw; Ciripasca; tynyuk; Toltemara; AmazeinDesign; AnastasiaSonne IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS: This book has been written and published strictly for informational purposes, and in no way should be used as a substitute for consultation with health care professionals. You should not consider educational material herein to be the practice of medicine or to replace consultation with a physician or other medical practitioner. The author and publisher are providing you with information in this work so that you can have the knowledge and can choose, at your own risk, to act on that knowledge. The author and publisher also urge all readers to be aware of their health status and to consult health care professionals before beginning any health, diet, and/or exercise program. This book is independently authored and published and no sponsorship or endorsement of this book by, and no affiliation with, any trademarked brands or other products mentioned within is claimed or suggested. All trademarks that appear in this book belong to their respective owners and are used here for informational purposes only.

The author and publisher encourage readers to patronize the quality brands and products mentioned in this book. CONTENTSINTRODUCTION In my life, I have lived and learned a lot along the way. After having my first baby, I remember being overcome with postpartum depression. I had this tiny infant that needed me constantly, and I was exhausted. I felt overwhelmed and completely lost. My life was spinning out of control and I couldnt find a point of reference that would ground me.

At that time, I learned the power of goals. I learned that you absolutely can change the trajectory of your life in 30 days. Goals, however, can get a bad rap. We typically write out these goals at the beginning of the year in the form of resolutions that are filled with optimism and hope. We hope that this time will be different, this time we will make changes that stick. But our goals can easily lose their luster and gleam as reality sets in and we lose momentum.

Next thing we know, its mid-February and were right back where we started. And yet, I am a firm believer in goals. If you dont have any goals, youll find yourself sleepwalking through life. But how do we make goals stick? Heres something that has helped me, and I hope that it will help you as well: Stop waiting for a start date! Stop assigning your goals to a certain date. Whether its a Monday or a Friday, choose to make your goals a priority. Choose to start every day with a plan. There is a power in today! Not tomorrow or two weeks from nowtoday.

Start with one day, then two, then a week, and youll be amazed by how much you can change your life in just 30 days. As you flip through these 60 challenges, you might feel overwhelmed. So many options, so many challenges to embrace and try. The trick is to just pick one challenge at a time. Give yourself grace; you will not complete every day perfectly, and that is okay. Keep dusting yourself off, keep picking up this book, and try again! Every day is a gift.

Every day you can choose to change your life and become a healthier, happier, and more positive version of yourself. Spoiler alert: I know you can do this! With love and gratitude, Andie Thueson 1. RUN A COUCH TO 5K

So I decided I would join some friends and sign up for a local 5k before even running my first mile. After I committed to the race, I found a great Couch to 5k outline online and started mentally preparing to leave all my friends in the literal and proverbial dust. During my first practice run I remember hitting, maybe, 500 yards and I was wheezing and thinking, So this is how it all ends. I thought I was literally dying! But as I continued to train, I began to look forward to my runs. What was once something I dreaded and only did because I had committed began to be one of the best parts of my day. Over the years I have continued to run and train for all kinds of races.

I have done half marathons, 10ks, and even 24-hour crazy-hard relay races. But I think my biggest sense of accomplishment came from when I completed that first 5k! The time is now to make your move. Running will empower you and give you a great sense of self-worth. You are amazing and you can do it!