7-Day Positivity Challenge

I'm sorry but this is about all I can muster up the mental energy to post right now and it has taken me three days to finish it! As I mentioned last week, Scott and I are going through some VERY stressful times. The most stress either one of us has ever been through, and a different kind of stress. For the first time in probably five years, we didn't have a post on a Sunday or Monday and almost didn't have a post today. Usually, when I'm stressed out or busy I can at least find the energy to come up a recipe or workout to share but I literally just can't right now. Nothing seems fitting and everything, EVERYTHING, is just mentally draining.

If you follow us on Instagram, Snapchat (hesheeatclean), or Facebook you may have seen the picture that we posted from hiking Saturday in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We had different plans but they changed so around 11 AM (we normally leave around 5 AM when going to the Smokies) we left to make the three-hour drive to GSMNP. We hiked 11 miles, climbing to the top of Mt LeConte. The hike took around 5 hours and then we ate at Mellow Mushroom in downtown Gatlinburg and finally made the trek back home, arriving back around 12:30 AM. It was a great mental break and even though we spent more time driving than hiking I'm so glad we decided to go.

Top of Mt LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

To be honest, this entire year has been really difficult. But this period is more difficult than any body image or any other kind of struggle I've experienced before. Some days it just amplifies those other struggles and some days I'm too exhausted to even think about stuff like that. I know this tone is different from our normal posts but I feel the need to be honest. We're all going to go through trying and stressful times and it's just important to always remember that we have no idea what someone else is going through so always take the high road and be nice. Right now I would give anything to just have body image struggles be my issue of the moment. Anyway, I'm hoping that by sharing these inspirational quotes they will help you if you are going through a tough time and also help myself try to remain positive.

So, how does the challenge work?

1. Join us on Instagram (heandsheeatclean) and/or Facebook (@heandsheeatclean). We will be posting a positive quote each day. I'm still working on my favorite quotes but it will be a mixture of body image and just general life quotes. :)
2. Share your own! Tag us and use the hashtag #heandsheeatclean so we can find it!
3. Come back here at the end to see each one we've posted (I will try to add then to this post each day!).

That's it! We are just trying to add a little joy to your day and ours!

Below are all of the positive quotes we shared across our social media channels. We shared these on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. When you are struggling, come back and look at these for a little inspiration!

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4: "Yesterday ended last night. Today is a brand-new day." - Zig Ziglar

Day 5: "I truly believe that everything that we do and everyone that we meet is put in our path for a purpose. There are no accidents; we're all teachers - if we're willing to pay attention to the lessons we learn, trust our positive instincts and not be afraid to take risks or wait for some miracle to come knocking at our door." - Marla Gibb

Day 6:

Day 7: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

31-Day Lunge Challenge

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It's a new month, time for a new challenge! Even if you are reading this after the month already started, that's fine! START TODAY! 

The reason why we don't list 100 lunges per leg or some other outrageous number is because this is a challenge that is just for fun and was designed to be something that you do in addition to your normal workout (which is hopefully one of our workout plans!). We have 4, 6, and 12-week workout plans for all fitness levels! If you are a beginner and this is your only workout, feel free to add weights to make it more difficult or cut the reps down if what is listed is too much for you! This is your challenge and you can customize it to your fitness level!

This is a great challenge to pair with our 30-Day Walking Challenge! I am LOVING that challenge and plan to continue to walk every day that I am able, even if it's only 10 minutes!

Tag us on Instagram and use the hashtag #heandsheeatclean so we can follow along!

30-Day Walking Challenge

WANT A FREE HIIT EBOOK?

Join our newsletter and get the instant download. We never spam you - we only bring you the best workouts and recipes each week! Click here to join now.

Note: We're on Snapchat! You can find us under hesheeatclean. We will be posting more of our meals, workouts, and money saving tips! Also, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter!

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Don't miss out on our Fall Workout Challenge! Get more information and join here!

I've been going through a challenging period mentally and had the idea to start walking to try and provide a sense of relief and time for reflection, without distractions. I wanted the same benefits that I get hiking, without having to prepare or drive to hike. I am doing a combo on the Transformation/Run Builder to prepare for hiking trips we have coming so I'm not doing this as "extra" cardio but as time to clear my mind. I have been trying to snap a pic to share on Snapchat (hesheeatclean) each day though because it's so pretty and peaceful. :)

RELATED: Social MEdia & the Fitness Industry

The benefits I've received in just five days of doing this have been nothing short of amazing. After the first walk the idea came to me that I should start volunteering to work with children (girls in particular) and help them develop confidence and hopefully set them up for a life of success without body image issues. I posted on my personal Facebook, He and She Eat Clean's Facebook page, and Instagram (heandsheeatclean) looking for suggestions on organizations to join. I received a ton of responses and I've signed up to help with Girls on the Run and I also plan on volunteering at a few more places locally as well. I am very excited about this and I really think I can make a difference here!

Since walking has been such a positive change in my life I wanted to challenge all of you to do the same thing. I didn't want to have to wake up and run each morning or wake up and do something else high intensity. I just wanted to put on my shoes and walk - no pressure on speed or distance. I didn't start this for any other reason than to clear my head. It wasn't to lean out, to do extra cardio, or anything of the sort. I would love for you to go into this with the same mindset. I love listening to podcasts (this is the perfect opportunity for you to catch up on our WHAM Podcast!) while I walk. You could grab a friend or go solo. If you do take a friend don't let it turn into a gossip session, this challenge is supposed to be the complete opposite!

This is your challenge so there aren't any rules (other than no gossip or negativity!). I try to walk for an hour but sometimes that doesn't happen and that's OKAY! Remember, this is not for fitness, this is for your mental health first. I didn't want to put any rules on this challenge because I don't want you to become discouraged if you can't meet them. So instead of telling you to walk for 2 miles or 30 minutes or whatever, I'm leaving that up to you. If all you can do one day is walk for 10 minutes that is AWESOME. I haven't been tracking mine but I did want to provide the option if you are the type of person who likes to track. You can print the chart below out in black and white and fill in the spots each day. Under the thoughts section, you can list how you feel before/after, what you thought about during your walk, really anything! I do my walks in the morning just because that's when it fits in my schedule and it provides me with the opportunity to start the day off positive but you can walk at lunch, in the evening, or whenever it fits your schedule! I hope this challenge brings you positivity, joy, and lots of good thoughts!