January Challenge: 20 for 20

So we're already ten days into 2012... and I hope that the year is off to a terrific start for you.  I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the changes I'm making and have decided there is nothing like a good challenge to make me feel like I can do anything! [Que memories of reading Supergirl Adventure Comics at the beach when I was a kid...]

For the next 20 days in a row (no breaks for good behavior this month... the first 10 days were all the break we should have needed) I challenge you to join me in twenty minutes a day of some sort of workout.  You can - of course - exceed the 20 minutes per day but to be in the 20 for 20 (or #hlg20for20) you need to commit to twenty minutes of moving / exercise for the remaining 20 days of January.

This January Healthy Loser Gal challenge is about two things... self-discipline and starting the year off with a healthy attitude.  Everyone of us can find 20 minutes in our days to have the self-discipline to commit to exercise, walking or just moving it to lose it!  You could just do exercises during the commercial breaks of an hour television show and you'd have nearly 20 minutes in!

I'm a huge fan of walking so I'm going back to my morning walks before work once I'm in my new home as of Sunday.  And I'm going to add the extra challenge of the 20 minutes of exercise for 20 days to that. 

Are you in? : ) I think this is an easy, fun challenge and I hope to hear what your 20 minutes per day will take the shape of.  If you need some help with ideas for the next 20 days, I've put together a list of online resources from sites I trust and that I believe will inspire and motivate you.

Do you know about GaiamTV.com? This is a WONDERFUL site that has an incredibly diverse selection of streaming exercise routines available for a low monthly subscription fee.  GaiamTV features Yoga Studio, Fitness Studio, Wellness Center, Spirituality, Metaphysics, and much more.  You're going to recognize many of their instructors, too! 


Some of the GaiamTV instructors

 During this 20 for 20 Challenge, I've teamed up with GaiamTV.com to offer one OUTSTANDING Fitness themed gift basket to one of the 20 for 20 Challengers. That, alone, should encourage all of us to exercise for 20 days straight for 20 minutes so you can be in on the fantastic giveaway from GaiamTV on January 31st! :)

Other inspirations:
Dr. Oz' "You on a Diet" has a companion workout section on the RealAge site.  Check out the workouts here for 20 minutes of beginning exercises to help you feel good about challenging yourself to 20 minutes for 20 days!


Women's Health Magazine Fat Burning

 I am a huge fan of FITNESS Magazine and their 20 minute express workouts feature something for everyone.  Check out the ultimate lunch workout slide show!

Do you love Joel Harper workouts?  Well, apparently Dr. Oz does as he features @JoelHarperFit (NYC trainer extraordinaire and no relation to our beloved Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser!) in this 20 minute workout to blast away fat!  (Yes, please!)  Also search Joel Harper on YouTube and find some great workouts there.

Want 20 minutes of intensity that you're going to feel the next day?  Try Women's Health Magazine's Lose Belly Fat: 20-Minute Fat-Burning Workout. The next day, as you recover, you may want to opt in for the 20 minute walk (read the info carefully and make certain you're fit enough to do high-intensity workouts... it is good to push your comfort zone a little bit but not good to hurt yourself if you're just starting to exercise).

Let me know on Twitter (@HealthyLoserGal) or on Facebook (HealthyLoser Gal or page: Healthy Loser Gal) or by commenting here if you're part of the January 20 for 20 Challenge, friends. If you want to be in on the GaiamTV.com giveaway, please follow @Gaiam on Twitter or GaiamTV on Facebook.

C'mon and join me... let's make January a healthy, I'm-proud-of-what-I'm-doing kind of month! :)

Dream. Believe. Achieve!
Jan / Healthy Loser Gal