Abs Challenge Day 25 (3/25/14)

Hello all, 

Today was a little rough for me. I am very sore everyday from the activity of the day before, and the baby is still sick! Seven days of this and I have had enough! I am also refinishing some furniture, which I will be doing a post on. All very exciting, but very tiring. So, to get on with it...

Day 25:
105 sit ups
160 crunches
60 leg raises
95 sec plank

The breakdown:
11 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

11 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

11 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

11 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

11 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
16 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

1 min break
Plaaaaaank for 95 seconds

These planks are killing me. Just... so so tiring....

Warm wishes. 

Abs Challenge Day 23 (3/23/14)

Can it be over? Please? Please? please? Please. I am at the end of the end of what my body will take. Before this, I was floating on an endorphin covered cloud, amazed at the things my body could accomplish over such a short amount of time. And now, I feel like I am drowning in lactic acid, unable to even lift a finger to help myself accomplish my goals. I heaved and sighed and struggled and even thought about not doing the challenge today. I even whined and cried a little to myself about how exhausted my body and mind and spirit are. There is a lot happening in my life, and I can't describe how I struggled today. But I am making it through day by day. 

So today, I was required by the fitness overlords to do:

100 sit ups
150 crunches
58 leg raises
90 sec plank

I broke down the wretched and horrible work into these sets:

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
15 crunches
4 leg raises
10 sec break

90 sec plank

And now, I can sleep, because right now, that is the only thing I want from life. 

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 day challenge Day 22 (3/22/14)

Hey guys, 

So today was for some reason especially difficult for me. It took everything I had to even get on the floor and do the routine, and every fiber of my being was having a hard time pulling myself together. But it is done, and I can sleep now. 

Day 22:
95 sit ups
140 crunches
55 sit ups
85 sec plank

The breakdown:

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

14 sit ups
14 crunches
10 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
14 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

1 min break 

85 sec plank

So much planking. I could barely hold myself up. I was sweating and struggling and yes, even crying a little from the strain it was taking on my body, but I know that it is good for me in the long run, and I wouldn't want it any other way. What doesn't kill you and all that. 

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 Day challenge Day 21 (3/21/14)

Hello everyone!

SO I wanted to share with you what I did for day 21. These are getting longer, but somehow "easier". And for me, easier means, I am not struggling until the last and final set. Over half way done, let's keep doing this!

Day 21:
90 sit ups
130 crunches
52 leg raises
80 sec plank

The breakdown:

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
10 sec break

9 sit ups
13 crunches
7 leg raises
1 min break

80 sec plank

These planks are killing me. I can't believe I am actually doing this, legitimately, unbelievable.

Well, I'm going to go pass out now, and I will see you all soon.

Warm wishes.

Abs Challenge Day 18 *(March 18, 2014)

Hey Guys, 

HelperBaby has been sick for a few days now, and boy am I exhausted. But I keep up with my abs challenge, I am determined! SO here are the past few days of the ab challenge that I needed to keep you up to date one. The next challenge will be better, I promise. 

Day 18: 
80 sit ups
110 crunches
48 leg raises
70 sec plank

I did:

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break
15 crunches
10 sec break
6 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
5 crunches
6 leg raises
10 sec break

70 sec plank

Phew! I was exhausted after this one! I could not beilive that I had done all thta, but I did it. The last set of sit ups nearly killed me, and the leg raises were pretty easy, even holding a Bichon over my head. But I'm sure I will regret saying that later on down the line. 

I hope you all are being productive with this as much as I am. Enjoy it, and revel in all that you are doing! Only a few more days! Keep going. 

Warm wishes. 

Abs Challenge Day 17 (March 17, 2014)

Hey guys, 

This is what I did yesterday. I have a very bad weigh in, I gained two pounds! I have a lot of excuses, but it all comes down to I let myself fall back into bad habits, not this week! A new week, and a new routine!

Here is what was in store for yesterday:

Day 17:
75 sit ups
100 crunches
42 leg raises
65 sec plank

Break down:
 7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

7 sit ups
10 crunches
4 leg raises
20 sec break

12 sit ups
10 crunches
6 leg raises

65 sec plank


Boy am I dead. How I will be able to go on, I have no clue, but I am determined!
Warm wishes. 

Abs Challenge Day 15 (March 15, 2014)

Hello all, 

Just a super quick post on how I broke down day 15's routine. 

Hope you enjoy!

Day 15:

70 sit ups
95 crunches
42 leg raises
60 sec plank

10 sit ups
13 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

10 sit ups
13 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

10 sit ups
13 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

10 sit ups
13 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

10 sit ups
13 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

10 sit ups
13 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

10 sit ups
17 crunches
6 leg raises
30 sec rest

60 sec plank

I hope this helped you. See you soon!

Warm wishes.

Abs Challenge Day 14 (March 14, 2014)

Hello everyone, 

I wanted to keep you up to date on my routine break down for this challenge, I hope you enjoy this break down. 

Day 14:

65 sit ups
85 crunches
42 leg raises
55 sec plank

Break down:
10 sit ups
14 crunches
7 leg raises
20 sec rest

10 sit ups
14 crunches
7 leg raises
20 sec rest

10 sit ups
14 crunches
7 leg raises
20 sec rest

10 sit ups
14 crunches
7 leg raises
20 sec rest

10 sit ups
14 crunches
7 leg raises
20 sec rest

10 sit ups
14 crunches
7 leg raises
20 sec rest

55 sec plank

5 sit ups
1 crunch


And we're done! These planks are the things that are giving me the most trouble right now. 

Let me know what you are struggling with, and what your favorite part of the break down is! 

Warm wishes!

Abs 30 Day Challenge Day 13 (March 13, 2014)

Hello all, 

Just want to give you my routine break dow for Day 13 of my Abs challenge. 

Day 13: 

60 sit ups
75 crunches
40 leg raises
50 sec plank

My routine:

10 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
13 crunches
5 leg raises
20 sec break

10 sit ups
13 crunches
10 leg raises
20 sec break

50 sec plank

Today was very very very hard for me, I was sweating and shaking and so crazy, but I was so happy when I finished this session! 

Have a great day, and I hope to see you reading tomorrow!

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 Day Challenge Day 11 (March 11, 2014)

 Hey guys, 

This was a harder day for me, but I still got through it, again by breaking this down. 

I am so tired, so I will just let you know how I broke this down to make it easier for me. 

Day 11:
55 situps
50 crunches
30 leg raises
38 sec plank

What I did:

15 sit ups 
10 sec break

20 crunches
10 leg raises
10 sec break

15 sit ups
10 sec break

25 crunches
15 leg raises
10 sec break

5 sit ups
10 sec break

42 sec plank

So this is what I did, and I hope you are having success if you are doing this with me. 

Have a great day! 

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 day challenge Day 10 (March 10, 2014)

Hey all,

I know I have been lacking in updating you about how I have been doing my 30 days abs challenge , but it has been very crazy here. We are finishing our basement and HelperBaby has been very sick, so it has been quite busy here. Not only have I not been in my blogging area, I have have been exhausted and a little frustrated over all of the craziness in my house.

Anyway, enough excuses. Here is my day 10 of the abs challenge.

I had to do:

Day 10:
50 sit ups
50 crunches
30 leg raises
38 second plank

My routine looked like this:

10 situps
10 sec break

16 crunches
10 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break

17 crunches
10 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups
10 sec break

16 crunches
10 leg raises
10 sec break

10 sit ups

38 sec plank

10 sit ups


This routine felt a little easier actually than the day before. At least it felt that way. Also, breaking it up, absolutely helps me get through this challenge.

I hope me breaking the routines up like this helps you get through this challenge like it does for me.

Happy crunching and warm wishes.

Abs 30 Day Challenge Day 9

Hey everyone, 

I just finished doing my ab routine, and boy am I sore. Today was a very long day, between my husband finishing the basement, and having to take care of a teething baby, I got to bed late and so I had to do my ab routine late. But, I still did it. 

Now that my abs are screaming at me, I can say that I am still smiling. 

I broke my routine down again, and here is how it played out:

I had to do:

Day 9:
45 sit ups
30 crunches
30 leg raises
38 second plank

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

10 crunches
10 sec break
10 crunches
10 sec break
10 crunches
10 sec break

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

10 leg raises
10 sec break
10 leg raises
10 sec break
10 leg raises
10 sec break

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

38 sec plank

This has probably been my most difficult routine for me. It took me 14:42 minutes and before I started my heart rate was at 86 BPM and during my HR was 110 BPM and directly after, my HR was 90 BPM. 

I think I have been doing well, focusing on my form, and making sure that I am getting the most out of each rep. I feel every muscle in my abdomen right now. So much pain. So much gain. 

I hope you enjoyed this super weird journal entry for today's ab challenge. 

I will see you next time. 

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 day challenge Day 8 (March 8, 2014)

Helloooooooo, 

Today was a rest day, so I just did some chores around the house. Nothing special. I played with HelperBaby some, but nothing more than that. I am very excited and nervous about tomorrow's session, so we will see how it goes. 

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 Day Challenge Day 7 (March 7, 2014)

Hey guys, 

I wanted to take a few minutes to share how I actually broke the routine up today, because the routine has gotten significantly more difficult. I will time myself tomorrow, because I don't know how long it takes now, but I will let you know in my next Challenge Mode entry. (Well, not tomorrow, that's a rest day) 

Today I had to do:

Day 7: 
40 sit ups
20 crucnhes
20 leg raises
30 second plank

And it was a lot of hard work, but I feel (dare I say it?) stronger. My lower abdomen still is so sore, but I feel as though I am actually getting better at these exercises. And planks are starting to get more difficult. I'm still hanging in there, and I have been practicing breathing through my work outs, so I think that has helped me, but I can tell we are getting serious now. 

To make this exercise session more manageable for me, I split the sit ups ups. And then split everything except the plank up. 

My session looked like this:

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

10 crunches
10 sec break 10 crunches

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

10 leg raises
10 sec break
10 leg raises

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

30 second plank
30 sec break

5 sit ups 
10 sec break
5 sit ups
10 sec break

This is just how I did it to make it more manageable. I find measuring my small successes within the workout helps me go through it much easier and faster. 

I am going to start taking my heart rate before, during and after these sessions, and timing them, so you can see how my body is reacting. I will also be weighing myself on Monday ( day 10), so you can see where you in regards to me, to see how you might react to the routine. 

I hope this helped, and I hope to see you guys again soon. 

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 Day Challenge, Day 6 (March 6, 2014)

Hey guys!

I am back in business today! I lot sore, but still determined, and best yet, not headaches. My hubby was still playing video games that last time I checked, so I'm going to go and do my ab routine. 

Today is very very very hard. I still can't believe I am doing this, but the other half of me is like, you're doing it! Get over it!

Anyway, my lower abdomen is super super sore, but if I take some breaks (no longer than 30 seconds) and stretch in between, I feel able to go to the next exercise. So far, the sit-ups are proving the worst and most difficult. I guess it seems weird to me because in gym class growing up, we never did planks or leg raises, or even crunches very much. We always did sit-ups, so I figured those would be the easiest to do, but it is the complete opposite. I can't believe how hard sit-ups are! 

I have been drinking a lot of water before, during, and after my routine so that I stay hydrated and I find that I don't get headaches as often. So, A + for science. 

Today was HARD!!! But i got through it, and I couldn't be happier. Wait, yes I could, if it was a rest day tomorrow, I would be happier. But it isn't. Room for improvement, I guess. 

Day 6:

35 sit ups
15 crunches
15 leg raises
25 second plank

Warm wishes. 

Abs Challenge, Day 5 (March 5, 2014)

Hey all, 

So, today is not a good day. Last night I had a migraine, and was really sick. Today, I am feeling better, so I still did my routine, but I got another headache after that. This post will be short because of that, sorry. Hopefully, I will be back tomorrow. 

Day 5:
30 sit ups
12 crunches
12 leg raises
20 second plank

Warm wishes. 

Abs 30 Day Challenge Day 3 (March 3, 2014)

Hey guys,

Man oh man, am I feeling these today! We are home safe and sound and soon I will be posting my packing blog, so you can see that bunch of fun. 

Anyway, I distracted myself there.... today was day three, and afterwards, I;m actually feeling a little bit sick. It isn't a plesant feeling, let me assure you. I think I just need to drink more water before and after I do this, so that's what I will aim to do from now on. 

I do this routine before bed, and I don't get too sweaty, but if it is an especially rough night, like tonight was, I do get quite nasty, and have to take a shower. 

I got distracted again, so anyway, I am not feeling well, and I know the root cause of it, and I know how to rectify it, so I won't blab on about it more. I will say that I am very very sore and I can't beleive I am still doing this challenge, every night and that I have had the determination to do it, without any convincing or bribing from me or my husband! 

Day 3: 
25 sit ups
10 crunches
10 leg raises
15 second plank

( I will also note that yesterday, I was unable to properly do the 20 crunches I needed to, so I called it quits, and I did 25 today! Not only was I very happy that I was able to do them, but also very very sore.)

I hope you guys are finding this helpful. Again, this is just being copied out of my workout journal, the current ones will start tonight ( March 9th). 

Warm wishes. 

Abs Challenge Day 2 (March 2, 2014)

Hey guys, 

So today was day two of the 30 day abs challenge, and I have to say that it isn't as bad as I thought last night. Yes, it is hard work, but so far, I don't really feel sore and I don't really have the same fear of doing the reps as I did a few days ago, or even yesterday. It takes me about 3 minutes to do everything, so I haven't changed the way I eat or my pre- or post- workout food. Maybe that will change later, but so far it hasn't. 

Day 2: 

20 sit-up
8 leg raises
8 crunches
12 second plank

Warm wishes. 

The 30 Day Abs Challenge

This is the 30 Day Abs Challenge I have been doing for almost a week now. It feels like a lot longer, but it will be a week on Saturday. 

I was sitting here, writing another blog post, when I thought, why not share my experiences with the whole process with everyone else. A blog is a place for ideas to flow and let others, who might share your thoughts, ideas, or opinions, coneect with you. SO, why not share how I huff and puff and procrastinate and struggle and cry and heave and sigh through all of these challenges? 

And even now, I sit here and write all of those reactions, but the reaction I seem to have the most is a huge smile plasted on my face whenever I accomplish a set. Every little set is a victory for me. I am sore, and tired, and even on days like today, sick, but I still smile at the end, becasue I have accompliched something that I didn't think was possible. Just in a few minutes. 

Last month, if you had told me that I would be able to do 35 sit ups in one sitting, I would have laughed, and told you that you had the wrong girl. But I just did it! Me! Caitlynne Scagel, hater of all things aerobic (not really, but it does sound more dramatic that way) did 35 sit ups with minimal breaks. Before today, I couldn't even fathom doing 35 sit ups. And by the end of the challenge, I will be doing 180 in a workout. 180! That is insane! But I am actually very excited about it. 

When I first found this Challenge on Facebook, I was like, okay cool, this starts out simple. 

NOT!

Just to see where I was, I tried to do a sit up. I did two. Two. That's it. And day one of the challenge is 15! Fifteen. 

I was going to quit, and to throw in the towel a full week and a half before I even started the month. 

And then I said "No. I am better, stronger, and more determined that his. I will find a way." And I did. 

The 5 days before the program, I worked myself up slowly to doing the first day's worth of reps. 

This is what my schedule looked like:

Monday 24: 3 sit ups, 1 crunch, 1 leg raise, 6 sec plank

Tuesday 25: 6 sit ups, 2 crunches, 2 leg raises, 7 sec plank

Wednesday 26: 9 sit ups, 3 crunches, 3 leg raises, 8 sec plank

Thursday 27: 12 sit ups, 4 crunches, 4 leg raises, 9 sec plank

Friday 28: 15 sit ups, 5 crunches, 5 leg raises, 10 sec plank

This got me up to doing day one of the Challenge. Now, I know this may not seem like a lot at first, but the most important thing about this is, do what you can with the best for you can. If you hurt yourself because of bad form, that isn't you not being fit enough to exercise, that's you being lazy enough not to learn your form correctly. Even if you can only do one of everything, at least you know that you have worked the correct muscle groups. 

Go online and watch some videos of people doing these exercises sot hat you can see how they are done properly. Learn hand positions and leg angles, and let yourself be taught. Listen and watch, don't just brush it off at a sit-up, it's an exercise, treat it like one. 

I'm only on day six of thirty, and I am sore and tired and want to know what I was thinking, but I happy I am doing this, for my mind, and my body. 

For me, this is the perfect exercise in non-instant gratification. While I am doing it, it sucks, and it hurts, and I want to whine like a baby, but when I suck it up and do what needs doing, I feel great, and I couldn't be happy, though I couldn't be more sore! And, I'm sure, after 30 days of doing this, I will see results at the end of March. At least I hope so. Let me know if you want pictures. I might post them irregardless. We will see. 

Every day, I will update you on how I did, what I did, and how I am feeling. Some days might be longer than others. But, for the most part, you will see a lot of pain, and struggle, and frustration, but also a lot of confidence, and determination and resilience. 

I hope this inspires you to hop off the couch and onto the floor or the gym or the road and challenge yourself. It's the only way you will know your boundaries. 

I'm off to bed for the night, but I will post my ab diary in the morning. 

Happy crunching!

Warm wishes.