I really need a physical challenge right now with my foot out of commission. Running is out, biking is out, and yoga is essentially out. What does that leave? Abs, primarily. This month will make the most out of my current disability.

The structure of this challenge will be similar to my month of 30,000 push-ups a couple of years ago. Basically, I am committing to 20 sessions of 50 twists each per day. The only other specifications are to use an 8-lb dumbbell, keep feet in the air, and touch the floor on each side every twist. Here is the detailed breakdown I will follow during the week.

For work days:

• First action upon arising (1 session) – Immediately after my feet hit the floor (or foot, in my case), I will complete one set on my yoga mat.
• Bookending both commutes (4 sessions) – This means I need to be ready to leave a couple of minutes earlier than I normally would to fit in these sets.
• Between each bell period (10 sessions) – There are 9 class periods and 2 meal periods during the day. With only 3 minutes maximum to spare during each transition, I will need to move quickly.
• During one of my free periods (1 session) – 2nd period is my planning period and 8th period is my conference period. Which one I use will vary based on the day.
• Between dinner and end-of-day free time (2 sessions) – I will probably do a set at 7PM and another set a few minutes before 8PM, though this will vary if I have a social event that conflicts.

For non-work days:

• During ab workout (3 sessions) – When I have time in the morning, I usually do 20 minutes of ab exercises, including timed reps of flutter kicks, crunches, and bicycle kicks.
• Top of each hour, starting at 8AM (13 sessions) – For the first couple days of the challenge, I will set an alarm to go off each hour. After a while, it should become second nature.
• Extras between breakfast and lunch (2 sessions) – A session every hour doesn’t quite cut it, and I would like to get sets done earlier rather than later.

For ALL days:

• Start of new day protocol (1 session) – This is my mental and physical transition practice at 8:30PM involving a shower, acupressure + handball, and lacrosse ball massage.
• During intensive exercise (1 session) – I generally complete 10 minutes of intensive exercise each evening around 9PM which includes hyperextension back twists, push-ups, and planks.

I hope this challenge will be good for my mind in addition to my body, as I have found myself dealing with increased incidents of depressed mood and sadness since I put my foot in a boot. May I grant myself all the grace and self-compassion I need while occupying my mind and body with something that is hard, empowering, and achievable.

Namaste.