why i'm not doing the 30-day ab challenge for better abs

So I found this image on the internet (via imgur and then google image search. Credit unknown but I didn't create it!)

I mentioned that I wanted to try this at work and others in the office decided to join me. Even though I don't think I'll be able to reach the numbers that were obviously randomly chosen for this challenge, my actual goal is to just DO SOMETHING on each of the exercise days.

I have seen numerous posts and comments about how this isn't good to do, this won't give you a 6-pack, and you know what? That's fine. My intention with this challenge is only to challenge myself to exercise on an almost daily basis. I have zero core muscles and if this helps build up the muscles even a little bit, I will be happy.

I am not doing this challenge to look like a supermodel. I am not trying to have a flat stomach and gorgeous abs. I am doing this because I am finding pleasure and comfort in small fitness goals and challenges and it helps me keep my mind off of things and focus on learning to well, focus my mind and accomplish stuff.

In January and much of February, I challenged myself to 10 crunches and push-ups a day and I made it through almost perfectly. I was building up muscle that I didn't have and I was just changing my life up a little to be more active and less couch potatoy and lazy.

I am training myself to run, although I have not been out much lately. I haven't completed all of the days in this challenge yet either due to having a bit of a stomach bug on the weekend. I can assure you no one wants to exercise when they are throwing up all night.

As for this ab challenge, I have no illusions of being able to complete it with the numbers that are being asked for, but I AM going to complete it in my own way - I will do as many of these exercises as I can on the days that I should exercise, or even on the rest days if I missed one and I will be HAPPY that I did SOMETHING.

I even have 16 people in the office doing this with me ans I made a little chart, that has stickers to place on the completed days for us all to enjoy in the office. We're not all fitness buffs but we're having fun with it.

I'm doing this challenge because it's a challenge and I am challenging myself to be a healthier person and live a healthier and better life. I know my limitations but I also know I want to push those limits (not by too much) and increase my own limits. I want to be able to even do 100 crunches. Right now I can do almost 25 without having to take a break. I used to not be able to do FIVE without needing a break, so you know what? I have already improved upon my own record.

I will slowly start to jog longer and faster and I will slowly start to be able to do more push-ups and sit-ups than I was the day before. I am slowly and safely changing my lifestyle to a better one for myself and I am ok with this.

These little challenges I create for myself are great motivation and I feel accomplished at the end of it all. Small goals, ones that are personal and not measured against anyone else. And it's helping me and helping my brain function and it's also great for my limited attention span.

I am doing this ab challenge for the challenge and I am slowly making my life happier one day at a time.