Hey, everybody! It’s Day 9 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 all doing? I’m doing OK so far.
Sometimes it feels like there’s no way I can get to 20 minutes. But then I start the workout and the next thing I know, I’m halfway through.
What has your experience been like so far? Please share in the comments below.
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
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m finding youtube videos really help!
I’m a beginner with kettlebells and really liked this one..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pDMOIlPLFE
I’ve been doing this one too!
I can’t find your email address anywhere to email pics/stats
It’s on this page http://www.cheeseslave.com/2nd-annual-kettlebell-challenge-500-in-prizes/
I worked out four times last week and can already feel a big difference in my energy levels! I haven’t had this much energy since last summer when I was in my second trimester and getting a lot of exercise on our “farm”. I have been doing the FitnessBlender Beginner workout on YouTube and am really enjoying it. I turn the volume off and turn on upbeat music from my ipod to make it a little more fun. Thanks for this challenge, because I would probably still be a slouch on the couch if I hadn’t been motivated by it.
That’s a good idea – I’m going to turn the volume off next time and listen to an audiobook
So far, so good. I feel like this is just what I needed to regain focus. I get my kb info from some of the women at Girls Gone Strong. They are power lifters so have great tips to avoid injury.
So far, I have just been following along with the GoFit dvd my kettlebell came along with. It is kicking my butt! But I think I will check on youtube for some variety.
I’m keeping up with the workouts but my eating habits are frustrating me! I know I would lose weight quicker if I could just get back to a no wheat, no sugar diet. Not sure how I was able to psych myself in the past…hopefully I will find that groove again….really soon!
@Kelly
Personally I just try to do the workouts. I don’t believe in doing restrictive diets.
I’m glad you said this. I’m not changing anything about my diet, just adding the workouts into my days. I don’t have a ton to lose- just a few pounds that came on when I stopped nursing #2 and a whole body that needs toning and definition. I am so happy to have all of you to “workout” with- knowing we’re all together in this journey is a great encouragement. I like thinking that we’re adding healthiness into our lives, rather than restricting things like food.
I can’t figure out how to log workouts…the link only goes to the Rafflecopter page.
There was an error – I fixed it!
I still can’t log in. I really don’t know why. It says “Hi Sheri” but I do not understand or am able to type anything. Oh well, it won’t stop me! Today is my workout….I have been working out with the kettlebell every-over day since day two. So far so good! It’s getting easier and I lost a pound doing NOTHING else. I don’t diet, restrict or feel afraid of any whole/real food. I am currently about 20 lbs over what I think is good for me…..but, stressing about it isn’t going to help….Looking forward to pizza night with my sourdough starter…Life is good!
Try refreshing your page and relogging in. Then click the +10 button on the widget.
FINALLY! OKAY~ It worked ~ Ill do it each day until I make up for the days I missed…
Not sure if my adrenals are ready for this yet – I’ve been pretty tired during the day when I work out and then I can’t sleep at night. Does anyone know the best time of day to work out or does it matter?
ARe you getting 8 or more hours of sleep per night?
Yeah, but I wake up to nurse. I’ll have to try to get to bed earlier and see if that helps.
So – my body temp goes down more than half a degree while I do the work outs- does this mean it’s stressing me too much and I shouldn’t be doing it?
i have heard morning is best…
i feel the same way about thinking i can’t get make it 20 minutes! i just take little breaks if i need to – and just march in place with high knees, then join back in the kettlebell workout as soon as i can.
i am so incredibly sore that i know it must be doing something!
and i agree with kelly – i am eating too much food, so not seeing the scale go down. gotta take it easy with the food intake!
i love this challenge!
I am really happy to be swinging bells again… now that the initial soreness has abated! I have been using the beginner workout on fitnessblender and although it’s not my favorite it’s easy to access and gives me no excuse to skip.
I like Lauren Brooks because she gives such good direction on form and technique AND she uses interval training. This one is my favorite:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Conditioning-Kettlebells-Lauren-Brooks/dp/B001PO7J9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357933414&sr=8-1&keywords=lauren+brooks+kettlebell+dvd
It’s important to do the moves right both to avoid injury and to receive the most benefit from your efforts. It’s important to engage your abs (especially if they are weak like mine and have to be told what to do!) and to really squeeze and thrust with your glutes during swings. I imagine somewhere on fitness blender they teach some technique and form but there’s not much in the video.
I found doing a stretching routine between kettlebell workouts very beneficial in taking care of the soreness and one day I did the stretching right before my workout and had zero soreness after! I am trying do MOVE every day but only do kettlebells every other day.
As far as logging workouts: I’m pretty sure the rafflecopter is a tad screwy. The numbers go down between my workouts! I’m still logging but what shows is a bit disheartening.
It is obvious, by what muscles are hurting, that I needed this. And that I feel like I can’t walk the next morning. But as soon as I get moving for the day, I feel better, and very glad you did the challange.
Today is a rest day for me — at least a rest from Kettlebells — so I had so much more time, hah! The tricky thing for me is just timing it right with meals and everything, so I neither have to try to exercise on a full stomach or leave it until evening. When I do it too late, it is definitely harder to sleep. I’m also rereading Julia Ross’s The Diet Cure (or rather, reading the new edition for the first time) and going back to amino acid supplements to help get my brain chemistry tuned up again. I’m taking GABA after workouts to help me relax.
Also, this time I’m not using DVDs, at least so far. I did enough of those last year to learn technique, I think, but they were either too easy (Kathy Smith) or too difficult, plus my partner doesn’t like to have to listen to them. So, I just do my own thing with my iPod shuffle. I exercise in front of a huge mirror in the bedroom so I can check my form. I’m using it as a chance to sort of sprint: I do some swings, then arm presses, then swings, then other moves or just catch my breath, then more swings, etc. So I’m not constantly going. I am being very conscious of not working out too hard and getting my cortisol up too much. Sprint, relax, sprint, relax, is what I’m going for. So far, so good.
I should clarify that Kathy Smith’s kettlebell workout isn’t super easy, it’s just that it’s more aerobic with very light weights, whereas I’m putting more emphasis on heavy weights to build strength. I’m done with chronic cardio for this lifetime. No more marathons or monster bike rides for me!
I started late since I did not have money to buy a kettlebell. And I am lazy. I have only done 1 workout so far, and am going to do another today. I have been eating terribly. I did one day of the eating plan from eat fat, lose fat, I thought I was going to throw up! Too much coconut, etc/ My husband said I need to be realistic that I am not going to win this contest, but I know if I stick with the exercise I will feel so much better. He wasn’t being a jerk, he was actually trying to be supportive! Thank you so much for doing this. The worst that could happen after these few weeks is that I get stronger. Nothing wrong with that
Another good source of kettlebell workouts/inspiration is http://www.myomytv.com.
This is my third workout day, and the first time I got all the way through the first Iron Core workout without being interrupted by muscle fatigue from lack or exercise or from kids who need help.
The workout that came with my kettlebell is shorter and more intense, but it didn’t properly explain form. Now that I am accustomed to the movements, I am going to try that one during the week. The Iron Core workout has 30 second breaks between every different exercise, which really paces well with what my body can do at this stage.
Oh, and the few kettlebell exercise sessions and getting back to my daily cod liver oil, I have more energy than I’ve had in a year!
I’ve been doing workouts pretty much every other day – hubby took the day off yesterday so we could go be an old couple and spend an entire day on medical appointments, and I didn’t get another workout in until just now.
I want to decide to quit weighing myself, especially after I gained three pounds in the first week. Very disheartening, but I read that when you first start, tiny tears form in your muscle tissue, and this causes some swelling, which can account for some weight gain. As much as I tell myself that all I really want is to regain my strength at this point in my life, the truth is I just want my body to function like everyone says it should and drop a few pounds if I follow all the rules. It never has before, so I guess I am hoping that if I keep my expectations low I won’t be crushingly disappointed if that part of my life remains the same. But I can’t help it. Being fat sucks. Being weak sucks more, but still.
But I am delighted with feeling stronger already! And I mean really, really happy. I am 44 years old, and I have lost so much strength since I got mono six years ago, and I am terrified of entering my menopause years weak, especially now that I am starting to watch seniors that I know deteriorate due to physical weakness. For a long time, my health was in a place where I really could not benefit from exercise, and now that I can actually feel my muscles growing, and strength returning, it’s wonderful, and such a relief that this part of my life can become under my control once again.
I followed the link someone provided to fitness blender, wow! They have such terrific kettlebell workouts! No music, no fancy studio, just one person exercising on a white background, with simple voice-over cues. Soooo good. I did the beginner kettle bell workout today, about 35 minutes, using various sizes of kettle bells. I also watched 2 others and they’re all really good.
I have to say though that Rafflecopter is not recording points properly. I was at 30 (which I think was low compared to what i’ve done) and entered my latest workout just now (Saturday night) and it didn’t change the points! Oh well. I’m getting stronger at least!
I have had the same problem with Rafflecopter; it says i’m at 30 points when i should be at more than double that. I’m hoping that it is keeping a total record somewhere and just shows the 30 on my updates, although that seems strange that it won’t show my actual total. Anyone else experiencing the same thing?
I’m having the same issue with logging in my points. In the end I just remind myself it’s not about the points, it’s about the changes I’m making in myself. But, I’d love for the points to be logged in too
Yes, I’m having the same problem. For a couple of times, it had the same starting points (30) then didn’t show any increase even when I logged a workout. Then just now, it had my points total as 20! And it went back to 30 when I logged my latest workout. Hmmm. I hope there is a grand calculator somewhere keeping better track! So I’m keeping track in my iCal as well.
I see 4 workouts for Jeanmarie
Don’t get hung up on the points though — that’s not how winners will be chosen.
OK. I am keeping track on iCal also, but it’s on my desktop, I’m in bed with my laptop. I know, the most important part is accountability! It helps to have someplace that I have to come and report my workouts to.
@Jeanmarie let me know how many you have tracked so I can check Rafflecopter
I’m glad you are staying in this!!! Let’s finish it!
I am less sore now, I hurt so bad after the first day. I hope to see weight difference very soon.
I am getting my 3x per week in at least. I am seemingly having a little back pain, although I have been super careful in my posture during the workouts. I think its all the ab work, my core is just week. Also dealing with some strange hormonal “woman” issues…LOL sorry for the TMI but it’s been a little disappointed trying to overcome those hurdles but I am going to keep trying!!
OK, this time (Tuesday evening Jan. 15) when I “entered to win” on Rafflecopter, the total points was already down by 10 so this just brought it up to what it was two workouts logged ago. Hmmm.
But, I continue to love the FitnessBlender.com kettlebell workouts! I made it halfway through the “Kettlebell ’til You Drop” workout, which is billed as 40 minutes. I did half plus some more basic swings and some stretches for 30-35 minutes.
@Jeanmarie I see 4 workouts for you so far. Is that right?
I’ve discovered my hips are really tight. I’m also doing pilates workouts, which is thankfully helping me get stretched out as well as increasing my heart rate and building more strength.
Missed a few days, but I got one in today. 3 the first week and 1 so far this one.
Me, too! I’m exactly the same
Found this video today. It kicked my butt big time…I can barely type because I am still so shaky! Thought I would share! Its the perfect 20min full body routine!
http://youtu.be/erl3Bkg-dK4
Oooh great thank you I will try it today!
I did this workout on Monday, it’s a good one!
This challenge has been just what I needed to start using kettlebells as part of my regular exercise program. I’ve worked out almost every other day (1 day off when I was sick) and I’m learning a lot about how much of this type of workout my body can handle. I’m finding that the really high intensity, tabata style workouts are too much and leave me feeling exhausted the rest of the day and part of the next. When I concentrate more on longer intervals and slower but powerful movements, I feel great! I’ve been doing Lauren Brooks’ videos and using her book for workouts. I’ve also been looking through lots of your past posts and am learning so much! Your posts are helping me to adjust my diet and activities and I’m already starting to feel better. Thank you!
Woohoo! This is the first week that I’ve done two kettlebell workouts in one week. I was so sore from last week’s workout that I only did one and then did Yoga or walked the rest of the week.
The reality and the challenges of getting my workouts is setting in. I’ve been juggling a sick child with all the rest of day to day life, and here it is Friday and I haven’t worked out since Monday! Going to do it today! So happy to receive all your comments via email,they’ve kept reminding me to find time to workout!
I’m grateful for everyone who is doing this challenge with me. It’s keeping me MOTIVATED!
wow, the sara above me took the comments right out of my mouth! go sara(s), we can do it!
I almost forgot to log in today! I did 30 minutes, the beginners KB workout from Fitness Blender.
Rafflecopter still only says 30 points, for what it’s worth.
More importantly, I skipped a couple of days, didn’t really feel like working out, and I haven’t wanted to push myself too far. But today I really looked forward to it! I’m hoping I can really make this a habit that sticks.
Thanks, Ann Marie!
Hows everyone doing? I am amazed that I am actually excercising regularly and especially amazed that I haven’t been able to talk myself out of them as easily
Keep up the good work ladies! We can do this!