This year I’m staying on top of winter weight gain by working out every weekday from November 28-December 25, using a different work out from my Workouts Page. Join in and stay active by pledging your participation in the comments section below. You do not need to run to participate – any physical activity will do!
Workouts
Week 1
- November 28: 34 minutes, 3.65 miles treadmill routine
- November 29: 30 minute HIIT treadmill routine
- November 30: 22 minute treadmill routine + 20 minute stair stepper routine
- December 1: 10x10x10 Workout – 10 exercises, done 10 times each, for 10 sets – burpees, squat jumps, push ups, crunches, dips, jump tucks, jumping lunges, leg lowers, plank jacks, and squat thrusts. Aka the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire 28 years of existence. Credit: Kary
- December 2: 5 mins each speed on treadmill: 4 | 6.5 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 7.5 (all 4′s with 3% incline) + 10 minutes elliptical
Week 2
- December 5: 30 minutes 3.5 miles treadmill routine, 10 minute treadmill walk, 10 minute stair stepper
- December 6: 35 minutes, 3.75 miles treadmill routine
- December 7: 30 minutes, Jillian Michaels Shred DVD Level 2
- December 8: 45 minutes, 4.75 miles treadmill routine, 15 minute treadmill @ 4.0 & 4% incline
- December 9: 30 minute HIIT treadmill routine, 15 minute treadmill @ 4.0 & 4% incline
Week 3
- December 13: 40 minutes, 4.1 miles treadmill routine, 18 minutes stair stepper
- December 14: 35 minutes, 3.85 miles HIIT treadmill routine
- December 17: 40 minutes, 4.25 3-2-1 treadmill routine, 10 minute Hills walking
Week 4
- December 19: 20 minutes running treadmill, 5 minutes level 15 hills walking
- December 20: 60 minutes, 30-20-10 workout
- December 21: HIIT Cardio Routine 1
- December 22: 8 minute at-home cardio circuit x 3
Tweet about your workouts with hashtag #20DayChallenge, or sport a button on your blog to show you’re participating!
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What a great idea! I was just wondering what my plan was going to be to counter this lack of post-Thanksgiving motivation…
Great idea! I’m in!!
I’m in! May even try to throw in some exercise on one of the weekend days. It’s so hard to avoid weight gain over the holidays but upping the workouts should keep it to a minimum.
I just got back from the Holidays (in Iowa!) and am needing a jump start! We live in Dubai for the time being and the weather is great, which means beach season, so I am all in!!
Yes working out is a great way to keep your body weight under control and to have a healthy relationship with food. My work outs these days consist of spin classes and weight lifting. I also try to lead an active life by cycling to and from work and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Another, even more efficient, way to ward off weight gain during the holiday season is to remind yourself how hard it was last January to shed those Christmas pounds…
I’m in! I am a day behind but I will just make sure to get in at least 5 days this week! This is exactly what I need…I have been struggling to keep my self motivated since the weather started getting colder. But we are going to check out a new gym tonight so hopefully that helps!!
I am in!!! Do you have any good running workouts for people that are just getting back into it?
Hey Beth! I would recommend modifying the treadmill workouts by taking the speed down by 1, 1.5 or 2 mph on any routine, depending on what you’re comfortable with!
Woo! Let’s do it! Burn those Christmas cals!
I’m in! This was just what I needed. I even packed my workout bag this morning. Woo Hoo!!
I’m kicking up my bootcamp class and have created a mileage challenge for them to get us to the holidays! WooHoo!!
On it! Great idea, IGE! I need some motivation (and accountability), especially after the calorie binge trainwreck that was Thanksgiving week (which was also my bday week)… yipe!
I’m definitely in! A little social motivation ALWAYS helps!
My husband and I started our diets yesterday too (seemed like an appropriate day for some reason?). I want to lose some extra baby fat I’m carrying around from my son’s birth in May. Thanks for giving me extra motivation!
Omg! Ok, I’m in. It’s going to be brutal, but then it wouldn’t be a CHALLENGE, right? I like the idea of doing weekdays. Everyday. 5am. YIKES. Good luck to all. I’m not a runner, but I’ll do something everyday…Happy holidays!
Yes! I definitely need something like this to help keep me motivated! I plan to workout 5 days a week as well….only I typically work out on Saturdays and take one weekday off. NEVER on Sundays! And I totally agree, I would much rather work out more and not have to stay away from all the holiday treats!
This is an awesome idea! I recently found out I am preggo and need to stay active! I may have to modify some workouts, but it’s a great challenge!
I am so in! 5 workouts a week between now and Christmas. No problem! Thanks for the inspiration
I’m in!
I’m in!
I”M DOING IT! Here. we. GO!
What a great idea! I’m in–leaving for a cruise in 2 days so might have to make up some missed days on the weekends
Skip out on champagne and cookies? Never! But sweating is something I can do. I’m in!
OH I LOVE A GOOD CHALLENGE! and this is just what I needed! I did a half-marathon in October and trained so hard I have found my motivation to get back at it so lost! I will do 20 days between now and Christmas! They might not all be weekdays but I’m doing it!! THANKS!
Gonna do my best! I hate working out on weekends too…my routine is gone! I’ve done Jillian Michaels’s Yoga Meltdown DVD both mornings so far, that’s a *little* easier for me to handle first thing in the morning than the godawful treadmill.
This is fantastic! I am 100% in and can’t wait to track my progress. Thank you for motivating me!
Oh how I WISH I could do this. I’m having hip surgery tomorrow. Nooooo! While you’re working out, I’ll be in recovery. I’ll be blogging about it though, if you’re interested!
sign me up!
I’m in!!
This is a great idea! I’m definitely in!
I’m in!
I’m in! Gym season in MN, not a ton of fun, but your workouts will keep me motivated!
I’m totally in. But can I swap a weekday for a weekend day? I love my Saturday morning runs.
You bet! Whatever works for you!
I am all for this…just made a bet with my mom that I can lose more than her before the holidays…this is perfect!
Great idea! I think i can get on board with that. When you break it down to 20 week days (19 now) it seems so manageable! Here’s to hoping that by making this public on your blog that I can stick with it for 20 days. Shooting for an hour of activity every day for the next 19 (and maybe even some on the weekends!)
Count me in! It’s definitely necessary!
I’m in too!!! i dont like running but im the queen of the stairmaster! great idea by the way ^^
I’m in … and put the button on my blog! Thanks for the motivation I needed!
I am IN. Great idea!
3.1 miles in 30 minutes!! (run/walk)
Count me in! I’ve been SLACKING the past couple of weeks, so this is exactly what I need to get back into it. (Especially since I, too, hate working out on the weekends. Hate hate hate.) I’ll be doing the Couch to 5k program three days per week with some yoga and weight training the other two. Thanks for the motivation!
LOVE IT! I called it Happy New Years yesterday! I have had a rough couple of months and needed this to get back on the train! Are you modifying your eating during this time too? And if you have something to go to during the week you know you got to make it up on the weekend then! Thanks Kristin!
I’m definitely up for the challenge! (And I love your restful weekend philosophy!)
LET’S DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS. IS. FITNESS!!!!!!!
I’m in. I got Monday and Tuesday done. I can get 3 or 4 workouts in pretty easily. It’s the 5th one that I will struggle with.
I’m in! Just the motivation I needed. I can do five of seven days of the week. This gives me a jumpstart on New Year’s Resolutions!
I’m in and off to put the button on my blog! 1 hr 15 minutes of an amazing yoga class today! Tomorrow, I have three Zumba classes. Thanks, Kristin!
I am in!!!!!!!!!! Off now for day 2 woot woot!!!!!!!!
What a great idea! Sign me up.
I’m in. Thanks
I’m on board! This way, I won’t feel guilty having hot cocoa with whipped cream every night. Well, almost every night. I decided that I’m going dessert-free on Mondays and Wednesdays before the holidays so I can indulge more on the weekends