January is the time for new resolve to go to the gym, run further or faster than before, and gnerally get fitter and healthier. Those who are regular exerciser up the ante, whilst others step foot in the gym for the first time. Various challenges and schemes have been set up to help encourage everyone to get fit and stay active throughout January (and beyond). This support from other ‘get fitters’ helps to keep you accountable, plus gives you added confidence to achieve your goals and stick with it beyond the first few days of Jan.
Two of the most popular ones that I have come across are Jantastic and Janathon.
Starting on the 5th Jan, Jantastic is a free fitness challenge designed to keep you motivated to achieve your personal fitness challenges throughout Winter and into Spring in 2015. Signing up as a team or on your own, pledge to run, cycle, swim or a combination of all three. Whether you’re a ‘Sofa Surfer’, ‘Occasional Exerciser’, ‘Regular Exerciser’ or a ‘PB Hunter’ commit to a certain number of workouts a week to improve your health and fitness. During January you focus on frequency and commitment, whilst in Feb you try to increase distance, and in March you concentrate on distance and performance. This three month long challenge should help keep you on track. Use the hashtag- #Jantastic to share your workouts and follow others in the group.
Since 2007, Janathon has provided encouragement to runners and bloggers, however you don’t just have to be a blogger to sign up. Pledge to run, walk, cycle, spin, or any type of exercise everyday in January then tweet/facebook/blog about it using the hashtag #janathon to share your workout. I love this idea, as it motivates people to move on rest days, whether it’s a walk, building a snowman or a yoga class, and ensures that people of all abilities can get involved.
I’m tempted to get involved, but know that the Advent Running made me feel quite guilty for not running that much in Dec so I haven’t decided yet! Are you joining any of these inspiring January initiatives?
Janathon is great fun -well worth a go. If you end up doing a plank in PJs just before bed as your daily exercise, or the now notorious ‘dressing gown dash’ then you’ll not be the only one!
I’m signed up for Jantastic again! I prefer to set a number of workouts per week, rather than try and do something every day, as I know that’s unrealistic for me, and then I’ll end up feeling demoralised! Hope you had a great Christmas 🙂 xx
Planning on joining in with both of these again this year. I’m hoping that Janathon will encourage me to get some core work in on my rest-from-running days!
Jantastic sounds good! Hadn’t heard of it before but will definitely be getting involved!
Tash || Dance Flow Lift
I’m all signed up for Janathon. Its an annual thing now for me and I’ve made some good friends along the way
I’m might give Janathon! I exercised every day in December apart from the 25th, 26th and 27th. I’d love to get a full month in!
Corinne x
Are you signing up for both?
I’m in for Jantastic again, didn’t do amazing on it last year thanks to injury half way through, so hoping for better this year!