Hey, everybody! It’s Day 17 of the Kettlebell Challenge!
It’s not to late to enter if you haven’t already. Want to learn how you can enter for a chance to win? I’m giving away $500 in prizes. click here to visit the Kettlebell Challenge page and learn all about it.
How are you guys doing? I’m doing just OK. I’m not too far behind. But work is just nuts right now so it’s hard to break away. But I am committed to sticking to this!
The week before last, I got 4 workouts in (yay me!) but then this past week I only got one in (darn!).
So next week I need to ramp it up and do a minimum of 5 workouts so I can get caught up.
I will make it happen!
How about you? Are you behind? Or on track? Share below in the comments. Let’s encourage each other!
Log Your Workouts in the Kettlebell Challenge
Here’s the widget so you can log your workouts:
How to Log Workouts
Remember to log your workouts every time you do them. I’ve read that it’s best to do kettlebells every other day, not every day. Although you can work out as often as you like.
Winners will be chosen based on RESULTS (weight and inches lost, before and after photos), not the number of times you work out.
Please note — you can only log your workouts ONCE PER DAY. So you must come back to this page to log your workouts on the days that you do them.
Click here to read the rules of the Kettlebell Challenge.
How’s It Going?
Please post your comments below. I want to hear how it’s going for you!
I’ll post regular challenge posts every week so we can ask questions, vent, and share.
Photo credits: Kettlebell by andrewmalone, on Flickr and Untitled by zorbs, on Flickr
Disclosure: cmp.ly/4 and cmp.ly/5
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey, Ann Marie-
How heavy is your kettlebell? I am pretty fit, but have never done kettlebell workouts before. I purchased a 15 lb kettlebell to start with, but I think I may need to invest in a heavier one.
When I used to take kettlebell classes, many of the women used a 12K (=26 lb) for most exercises. Sometimes a lighter or heavier one was used depending on the exercise, and of course the fitness level of the individual. But I think in general people were surprised that women got up to speed pretty quickly using a 26-lb bell!
Mine is only 10 pounds. I also have a 20 pound one but it is way too heavy for me to start with.
I just ordered a 15 pound one and will start working out with it this week.
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to drop out.
I spent Tuesday in the ER with what turned out to be a herniated disc and pinched nerve. I’m still on bedrest and can’t move without extreme pain. I guess I’ll try again next year!
Oh no! I’m so sorry! I hope you get well soon.
Is this from kettlebell?? I have to drop out, too. Major shoulder pain and low back pain popped up after a few kettlebell workouts!
It was fun, but maybe I am not in good enough shape to be wielding a kettlebell.
Back to the treadmill.
Good luck everyone!
I had a week where I didn’t do much, but did much better last week. Unfortunately, yesterday I had a stomach virus and I’m not sure how long it will take to get back to exercising. Sure don’t feel like it today! Kim, I hope you feel better soon! That sounds awful.
@Jen
I had a rough week, too. I only got one workout in. Was planning to workout today but was working literally all day long (and still working). So my plan is to break away 5-6 times this week and catch up.
Sounds like life tapped us all on the shoulder! My week was way crazy but mostly because it was my week to drive the neighbor kids and mine to school (30 min ea way!) and they are all boys who are all wrestling, which means an extra trip every day to pick them all up from their three separate schools. So three one hour round trips every day really kicked my routine to the curb, plus there was a tournament, and I too only got one workout done this week! The good news is that this next week I am OFF driving duty!
I did a workout today that my 16yo daughter found, and has been doing, from the FitnessBlender site… Brazilian butt lift! Not technically a kettlebell workout but we did USE a kettlebell so I logged it. It kinda kicked MY butt! It feels a little perkier though.
Wishing everyone a safe and healthy week filled with opportunities to squeeze in plenty of workouts!
I’m afraid I’ll have to drop out – I’ve been taking my temps before, during and after workouts and it drops a half a degree or more. Also, it exhausts me when I work out during the day and I can’t fall asleep at night. I think my adrenals just need a lot of R&R.
@Andrea
Yes I had to drop out last year for the same reason.
Are you RRARFing? If not, I recommend it. Check out http://www.cheeseslave.com/dietrecovery
I’m trying – it’s just really hard to get enough sleep with a baby.
Part of me wants to work out every other day. Oh wouldn’t that be awesome. But I find I really like two days off in between workouts, because then I’m actually looking forward to doing it again. In the past when I’ve gotten gung ho about working out, I felt like I had to do it almost every day or I’d lose my momentum (or motivation?). But I got seriously burned out after training for and running a marathon a few years ago, and then getting seriously into cycling where I was climbing hills and really kicking butt. But I have found that that’s just not sustainable for me. The other thing I noticed, with all this “chronic cardio” (to borrow Mark Sisson’s phrase) is that I never really got much muscle definition and still had lots of fat on my hips and thighs. This time I’m going for muscular strength and plenty of rest in between. I also take long walks with our dogs a couple of times a week, and I’m on my feet a lot doing farm work, so it’s not like I’m not active. But I just really want to see how strong and defined I can get. Just for me, and to keep my health, balance, and bones intact as I age — gracefully, I hope.
It turns out, there’s a lot of evidence that going crazy with the cardio isn’t effective for weight loss, muscle building, or improving body composition. Which is why kettlebells are so great! You can get a short, intensive workout in really quickly, then rest.
I’ve been able to workout every other or every 3rd day. The scale hasn’t budged but I feel great and I can already feel my stomach and bum are tighter so who cares! Jeanmarie, I feel that the workouts I’ve been doing are more geared towards strength training than cardio (though you definitely get that too!) Have you checked out the fitness blender workouts? I’ve really liked them.
I mentioned in a comment a few days ago that I was having trouble finding time for the workouts, but I’m still trying. I am loving how much stronger I feel running after my kids at the park and running upstairs in my house. I feel good. I have no idea if I’ve lost weight since I don’t have a scale and the one I originally weighed myself on at the beginning of January was a friend’s who has since moved. But, I swear that I feel firmer in the waist, I see more definition in my abs and maybe, just maybe my butt looks a little firmer. I’m going to finish this challenge and continue beyond because I feel too good to stop. I can’t help but wonder how much my body could change in 3 months if it’s changed considerably in 3 weeks. Thanks again for starting this challenge Ann Marie- just what I needed in my life! 20 min. that are about me!
I have been doing them roughly every other day. This weekend I felt wiped out, so I honored that feeling and didn’t work out. I really cannot believe the way this workout is melting inches off of me though, especially my waist. Its phenomenal.
Oh, and I should mention too that I typically have terrible neck pain the day before my period, and this month I didn’t have it. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the exercise! Woohoo.
I’ve been consistent with 3 workouts a week, but haven’t always been able to get to a computer to log my workouts. My workouts are going pretty well, I probably need to amp them up if I’m going to see any results. For the person who wondered if she needs to invest in a heavier KB. Sometimes doing more reps is a better alternative to a heavier weight…especially for women. Lighter weights will lean you down and won’t cause you to bulk up. However, if you are more interested in becoming stronger and don’t really mind having muscles, then a heavier KB might be the way to go.
Thanks for the input Julie. Doing more reps with a lighter weight will definitely tone you up, but I think to get the full benefits of strength training women need to lift heavy. You won’t get bulky, you will get strong! For many years I trained with 3-5 lbs dumbells, but I really didn’t see results until I found the courage to lift the “boys’” weights. Have you read GoKaleo’s blog? I think fewer reps with heavier weights will give you better results.
Today is the first time I worked out with the kettlebell in more than a week. I have been down with the flu and today is the first day that I felt I could go back to my routine. It was really hard for me to do the full 20 minutes. Hopefully, my stamina will improve.
I have been following the Curves Complete diet. Even though I was too sick to exercise, tapering my food intake is helping.
Wahoo I am loving this challenge! I have lost 2 in off my bust and 2 off my waist already! I feel stronger going up the stairs and picking up the babies. I’m sold on the kettleball! What’s my competition look like? Ladies…how much have you lost??
Missed a couple more days than I intended, but got in 35 minutes tonight, FitnessBlender to the rescue once again!
I was sick and missed a few days but I am back on now. I’m surprised by how much I’ve lost already even with the lost days. I think my body is happy with what I’m doing.
I managed to get in 20 minutes this morning. My body was yelling, “Are you crazy, you’re 64 years old!” I’m glad I kept going.
Thanks for sharing!!! That inspired me! =D
Wow- this is my first workout in a week and a half, and my first fast-paced workout, and it is kicking my rear! Seriously- I have it paused right now to catch my breath!! I still haven’t figured out how to manage a workout when all the kids are solely my responsibility.
It’s hard Wendy! I know!! I fake getting a drink sometimes to get a break haha!
This is what I do with the kids – baby in the bouncer so she can’t be crawling around getting clobbered in the head with the kettleball. Toddler eating snack then trains are set up in kitchen to play with afterward so he’s not in my way. And 6 y/o keeping an eye out for both while crafting independently. Sometimes I have to run and do this and that during the workout, but I come back and keep going. Sometimes I’m happy for that running so I can rest my burning thighs! LOL!
I’m not sure how old your kids are- mine are 3 and 5. I have explained to them that this is Mommy’s time and it is very important that they keep themselves occupied while I train. This also means they resolve any disagreements amongst each other. I think it’s important that they see me making my fitness a priority, so I don’t feel too bad about asking them not to interrupt me for 25min. During the first week it was very trying, but they now have gotten a hang of the program. Today, they happily read books near me as I trained.
As for my own training. I’m feeling stronger. I’m mostly using a 8kg kettlebell, but I’m not strong enough to use a 12kg kettlebell. I’m astonished to read in a earlier comment that most women start with 12kg. Really?! I’m I really that out of shape that I can’t imagine doing any of the fitnessblender workouts solely with a 12kg?
I don’t know if anyone else is having this issue- but it appears my stamina is about 20mins. I can’t take it anymore past that and my limbs get so shaky I loose bad form. I have been told numerous times that bad form is dangerous in kettlebell workouts so I am basically stopping when I literally can’t do it anymore and I haven’t been able to do much more than 20mins! It is working though, I am already way stronger! I started not being able to do a single push up- now I can do at least 5 nice deep ones! (Small, I know-but BIG for me!!) Thanks for the challenge!!
I brought my kettlebell to my exercise class (cardio/core) yesterday to ask my teacher if I was doing it right. Although we use hand weights in class rather than kettlebells, she is a level 2 certified kettlebell instructor so I wanted her advice. Apparently, the ache in my lower back was caused by my poor technique. She gave me lots of tips and helped correct my form. Today I worked out with my kettlebells and I think I did a better job.
I hurt myself last week…yes, with the kettlebell…=( Major rotator cuff pain.
Okay, I am all better and need encouragement…!
O.K. Since reading all your success stories I think I’m going to jump in. But what are you all using for routines? Is it just looking at “how to”s and then doing them or a YouTube workout and if it is which one? I only want to put in thirty min. max. Thanks for the impute!
Rachel, a lot of us have been using the fitnessblender kettlebell videos on YouTube. Just about all of them are a maximum of 30min, including warmup and stretch/cool down. If you haven’t ever worked with kettlebell a before check out their beginner workout and use a light weight until you understand how to do the exercises. Glad you’re joining us.
Another workout today.