30-Day Ab Challenge: Day 15

A friend of mine started a group on Facebook for her friends that wanted to participate in a 30-day ab challenge... apparently I'm a glutton for punishment because I said I wanted in.

Each day the number of sit-ups, crunches, leg rasies, and the length of the plank increases with a rest day on every fourth day.

I started the challenge on August 1 for the sake of simplicity, so I should be on Day 15 today, but I missed a couple days so I am actually on Day 14: 65 sit-ups, 85 crunches, 42 leg raises, and a 55 second plank.

I didn't do any before photos or anything and honestly I don't see much of a difference--but I do feel it! I'm still a bit sore after each day, but the sit-ups are a bit easier to get through each day, as are the other exercises.

After Day 1 (15 sit-ups, 5 crunches, 5 leg lifts, 10 second plank) I wasn't sure I'd be able to make it this far, yet here I am. Doing 65 sit-ups. Yeah, I spread them out over the day sometimes, but I'm still doing them. And I know that even though I can't imagine doing 125 sit-ups, 200 crunches, 65 leg lifts, and a 120 second (2 minutes!!) plank right now, I'll get there. I'll do it. It will be hard, but I'll do it. 

For someone that doesn't exercise on a regular basis this little challenge has really encouraged me to start. Having a group of ladies that are doing the same challenge (even if we're not on the same day or maybe take an extra day to complete a set, etc) really helps, too. It's simple, no DVD or special equipment is needed, and doesn't take too long or too much mental power--I can even do it at work (and I have)!

I'm proud of myself for sticking to it this long, but the ultimate goal isn't just the full 30 days. It's continuing after that--and ideally with more exercise variety thrown in. Maybe even another challenge!

Have you done a 30-Day challenge before? How did you like it?