30 Comments
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Marshall R Peterson's avatar

Excellent! I’ve been trying for years to be able to squat like you show at the end of your post. I can dream. 10 minutes of sitting, 10 minutes of planks, and 10 minutes of dreaming. Daily. Bring on 2026! Thanks Kyle.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Haha thank you brother!

Marshall R Peterson's avatar

Well, I thought you had finally presented an easy challenge. I should have known better. On the second day, only day 2, my hip flexors ache. I know, when you’re coming up on 80 everything aches, but my hips ache more than they should. Sigh. How many days are there in January?

Stacy Boone's avatar

Ohhh Marshall, thank you for this comment. I thought it was just me. And then there is something in the shoulders to, running into my jaw, gads. 💪🏻

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Haha it’s a sneaky one even for fit folks like you two!

Stacy Boone's avatar

I honestly thought today, thank goodness I did that before the shoveling, the setting snowshoe trails, stacking firewood, dragging the sled to the road. I'm too tired for the gym ...

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Who needs the gym with a day like that! Functional, productive fitness at its finest.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

I challenge you to do this one for life. Modify and ease back into it 👊🏻

Marshall R Peterson's avatar

Me modify!?

Marshall R Peterson's avatar

Double dog dare?

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Been a long time since I went double dog but yes!

Mary Lariviere's avatar

I'm in!

Kyle Shepard's avatar

❤️👊🏻

Chris DeMuth Jr's avatar

In. And going to try to get my daughter to, too. She's a typical ballerina build but fights me on the topic of sitting up straight. She utterly transforms herself from an elegant beauty to a sad giraffe by slouching. Not sure but maybe tall people almost want to subconsciously hide their height. And then they get annoyed by their dad calling them a sad giraffe...

Kyle Shepard's avatar

😂😂😂

Michael Woudenberg's avatar

It's always the 'easy' challenges that suck. I had a friend who started working out with us and I'd hand him a PVC bar to do a back exersise and he's scoff at first.... then halfway through the exersise be like, just lift the plastic bar, how hard can that be... OMG!

Destiny S. Harris's avatar

now this is a strong challenge indeed!

Brad Gerlach's avatar

I just started working on deep squats. I need something behind me or a block under me right now, but I'm sure that will change in the near future.

While I stand more at my desk, I need to pay attention to posture when sitting. I can feel it when I sit more than stand.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Appreciate you sharing this Brad! Having something to help with balance/stability as you progressively get more comfortable and deeper into the position is a good call. Like you said, it’ll change as your body inevitably adapts. Stay the course brother 👊🏻

Brad Gerlach's avatar

Thanks for providing the insights. Its exactly what I needed to hear. I will be continuing to read your posts!

Baird Brightman's avatar

Good on you for focusing on good sitting posture, Kyle! I had a serious spinal injury in my teens (damn skateboards!) and I’m obsessive about good back hygiene. Slumping in the seat is a strain position. Butt against the back of the chair, pelvis rolled under, shoulders down, head up, feet planted (no crossed legs). That’s the ticket!

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Nailed it. Thanks Baird!

Sheridan Cass's avatar

Great idea for the next fitness challenge, looking forward to it 🙌

Gwendolyn Bounds's avatar

Great one Kyle. Will add this to my mini-challenges for 2026. Keep it going.

Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you Wendy. Stoked to complete one of my goals this year which is meet you at a Spartan Race. Will reach out soon letting you know which ones I’m targeting out of the list you gave me.

Gwendolyn Bounds's avatar

Excellent. My schedule is starting to shape up to so we can compare notes.

Marshall R Peterson's avatar

I am astounded how effective this challenge is. I’ve been attending hot yoga classes, Bikram, for almost 2 years with little improvement in my mobility. After a week of sitting at least 10 minutes a day, probably more like 30, I can actually grab my feet while sitting on the floor with my legs out stretched. Two years of Yoga didn’t get me that far. Of course I can barely walk, my hips are so very sore, but so what?