Recently I took the Blogilates 100 Squat Challenge and OH MY GOODNESS. I have things to say.
First, let me start by saying thanks to Cassey Ho at Blogilates for designing this 100 squat challenge as well as an entire catalog of FREE workouts for women. Cassey inspires me every day to hustle hard while loving the body I’m in. That is the key to betterment - loving who you are enough to challenge your limits!
Every day for the month of June, challengers did 100 reps of a squat variation. The goal was to see how our bodies would change and become stronger after the 30 days were up. Some variations were easier than others, but some really pushed my limits. 100 Bulgarian squats?! KILLER.
Finding Body Positivity in the Struggle
While all the squat variations brought on the pain, they also brought about some really positive results. In taking on the 100 squat challenge, I learned so much about my strengths and weaknesses. For example, there were a variety of single-legged squat variations, and this is where I really felt challenged. I struggled to keep my balance and sometimes had to find something to hang onto in order to make it through 100 reps.
I often had to take a short break, shake out my legs, and press on. And that’s okay! I pushed myself to the point of exhaustion, listened to my body when it needed to rest, and jumped back in when I was ready for more torture. And while some variations of the 100 squat challenge had me feeling a little wobbly, I always felt like a dang powerhouse when I was finished! That’s what I love about working out - feeling like you can tackle anything after you’ve pushed yourself to the limit.
Battling Negative Self-Talk
Like many women, I struggle with negative self-talk. My thighs have always made me feel self-conscious - all those dimples, stretch marks and jiggles! Even after doing 3,000 squats over the course of a month, those “blemishes” are still there, and they probably always will be.
But instead of looking down at my legs and letting “I’m so fat!” run through my mind, I looked at my legs and thought, “Dang, you’re strong!” Squatting every day did tone my legs, but it also changed my perception of myself. Because I knew that I’d been killing it every day, both my body and my self-image became stronger. That’s the result that makes me proudest!
Have you taken the 100 squat challenge yet? Even if you missed out on this challenge, you can start anytime! I challenge you to strengthen both your fabulous legs and your resilient mind. Whatever your goal for today is, get out there and kill it!
With love,
Dimple says
How the heck did u do 100 squats on day one. Did u spread them out during the day?
Amber says
I’ve done this Challenge and yes that’s what I had to do.. for one it starts to hurt, two I never seem to have the time, with work and kids. I never would take the time out of my day to do them all at once. Soooo, every time I went to the bathroom.. I did 10. It spread it out throughout the day, wasn’t as hard and didn’t seem to take up that extra time! It worked for me! And now it’s like a habit! Pee? Do 10 squats!!