DHT Challenge #75

Twas a big day on February 1st being the publication of the list and I wanted to get off to a strong start! In doing so I completed 22 challenges yesterday during a nice snow storm that kept me inside for the day.

1. DHT #3: Post to the DHT Facebook Group or DHT website Forum

I decided to make my first post on the group about my friend Nickita motivating me to participate in this year's DHT Challenge and I could not be more excited. I have never participated in anything like this and this was my first time posting in a FB group (this also being my first forum post).

2. DHT #11. Hold Plank for 21 seconds. (video)

This was an easy challenge I did with a few of the hanging challenges and pushup challenge.

3. DHT #12: Complete 21 Push-ups from your knees IAMi. (video)

I didn't think I was challenging myself enough if I did them on my knees so did them on my toes. I did not think I was going to make it and I needed a little rest as you may see in the video. But pushed towards the end on my toes. Glad I persevered.

4. DHT #13: Hold breath for 60 seconds.

So I used to practice the Wim Hof Method every morning and I have not done it in years. All that time practicing made this possible, however, it did take me a few tries as I kept getting closer and closer. I have not practiced this breathing technique in quite a while and may make it one of my personal challenges.

5. DHT #14: Throw and catch with non-dominant hand 21 times IAR.

I appreciate challenges like this because I am trying to teach my left side of my body everything my right side is already comfortable doing. I actually alternate which hand I use to brush my teeth everyday and I have been doing it for years since I hurt my arm and could not brush my teeth lol. I will continue to practice this more because it is somewhat of a personal goal of mine.

6. DHT #15: Complete 21 yoga poses for 21 seconds each.

This was a fun one because I tried to think of 21 poses off the top of my head and I could not reach 21. Nickita gave me a list of 21 yoga poses, some I knew, some I did not. I learned some new poses now, and can show them to you but probably will not remember the names, for now.

7. DHT #16: Hang from something FAMi.

This is something I do as part of my morning routine everyday, right after I get out of bed. Something to stretch my body, mainly my back and spine from being scrunched under the covers all night. Going to invest in a hang board so I can work on the finger strength every morning rather than just using a pull-up bar.

8. DHT #20: Hang from something with your chin above hands for 21 seconds. (video)

I thought this was going to be harder than it was and it did start to get there but during exercises like this, I try to focus on my breathing to lessen the distractions.

9. DHT #101: Hop on left foot 21 ft, pick up 21 cents, hop back. Repeat on right foot. (video)

This one was interesting being inside and ended up doing it by my front door. Was an interesting challenge to do. I actually fell the first time I did this and had to repeat.

10. DHT #102: Complete 21 assisted pull-ups IAY. (video)

This one started off rather easy and I actually switched which leg was getting the assist halfway through.

11. DHT #104: Stretch for 21 minutes.

I try to stretch for at least 10-15 minutes everyday but I know I need more. Did a little Dynamic Yoga session to help my body recover after this past weekends activities.

12. DHT #105: Stand on each foot for 2 minutes with eyes closed.

This was one of the harder challenges I had to complete in this push for 21 in a day. I used to pride myself on balance and this was sort of a rude awakening to show me my balance is not what I expected it to be. This took me 3 tries to get in succession each foot. After this wake up call, I am going to continue to do this as a benchmark to see if I can lessen the wobble and try to focus more on my breath and really trying not to let the mind wander.

13. DHT #154: Meditate for 21 minutes.

This is something I told myself I was going to do more of and never did. I did this right before bed and I think I had one of the better rests in a while. So sort of another wake up call to try different things at different times and see how they help you in the moment. Maybe make it one of my personal challenges as motivation and try to make it part of my routine. This was the last challenge I completed on February 1st.

14. DHT #173: Complete a challenge with another DHT member on Zoom or similar platform. (picture)

This was a part of the first challenges I did on the 1st with Nickita where we completed both challenges comparing what happened on our birthdays in 1921. This was also a part of my shoutout and first FB post to the group.

15. DHT #174: Look up what happened on your birthday in 1921.

Not necessarily a highlight but the headline for my birthday, November 4 in 1921, was the assassination of Japanese Prime Minister Hara Takashi in Tokyo. Not necessarily the best years post World War I.

16. DHT #179: Sit still for 2 minutes and 21 seconds.

Very much needed on a Monday during a snow storm and a slew of things going on at work. Hopped off my desk chair and sat right on my wood floor with my legs crossed.

17. DHT #184: Get undressed using no hands.

This may have been the hardest challenge I completed on this day next to balancing on each foot with eyes closed. I think I shimmied bent over, trying to get my shirt off for around 5 to 7 minutes and I think that is being generous. My choice of form fitting clothing from head to toe made this quite a difficult challenge to say the least.

18. DHT #185: Do something blindfolded for 2 minutes and 10 seconds. (video)

Knowing the possibilities were endless I decided to stir my soup for lunch. Here is a little snippet where my hands starts to get a little hot. This was interesting to say the least and maybe not the best idea for things to do lol.

19. DHT #191: Read at least 210 words about a place you've never been.

Did a little bit of research for New Zealand. It is a place I have always wanted to go and the obsession started with Lord of the Rings and seeing where they filmed the scenes for The Shire. Then I got a little deeper into their mountainside and started to plan a little trip of sorts to see as much of New Zealand as I could whenever I am able to take the trip. Probably in the top 5 places I want to go that I have not been to. New Zealand may even be number 1.

20. DHT #200: Donate at least $21 or more to DHTChallenge. (picture)

This is an awesome challenge and wanted to donate because not only am I participating but I thought my small contribution is a token of my thanks for all the time and effort put in. Such a great way to motivate different people of different levels of athleticism to do hard things and connect with each other.

21. DHT #205: Massage your own feet for 21 minutes or more.

Took a smooth lacrosse ball and a ball with small spikes and rubbed my feet over them for 10 minutes and then switched feet. I then elected to massage with my hands afterwards for a little bit for who knows how long. I never do this and may start more often while I am doing anything sitting down.

22. DHT #209: Look up an event from 1921 and read about it.

Something that caught my eye reading about things that happened in 1921 was in May, there was a geomagnetic storm. I did not know what that was and did a little more digging. Long story short it was caused by the impact of a powerful coronal mass ejection (release of plasma) into Earth's magnetosphere during solar cycle 15 from the 13th to 15th. Known as one of the most intense geomagnetic storms of the 20th century.

23. DHT #75: Complete 21 Challenges from the DHT 2021 annual list, IAD

Thought this was difficult and I did not think I was going to be able to make it. Turns out I ended up doing a little more.

****I posted which I had videos for, some were longer than others so I shortened them a bit, but I guess not enough. Not sure if they are going to post or not because they are stuck at 99% upload. Will try again in the future or for another post with a video of combined challenges.****

The last two challenges of the day were getting undressed with no hands and mediating before bed. Two very opposite things in terms of difficulty to do but made both of them worth it more. Very happy with today as a strong start to the beginning of a strong year. Looking forward to the rest of the year with all of you and looking forward to everyone's progress!