Here's How to Participate

Here is an overview of why we are doing this challenge and how you can participate in the 10,000 Kettlebell Challenge.

OUR GOAL:  AWARENESS.  This challenge aims to raise awareness about Parkinson's Disease and offer people an opportunity to make a donation to fund research on Parkinson's Disease.  For more information on Parkinson's Disease, visit the Parkinson Canada website.

OUR CAUSE.  We have chosen to support the DR. ALI RAJPUT ENDOWMENT FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND MOVEMENT DISORDERS RESEARCH.  This is one of the fundraising campaigns of the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  It was Dr. Ali Rajput who diagnosed our Mom.  Both he and his son, Dr. Alex Rajput, have been so kind to Mom that we would like to support their ongoing work. 

MAKE A DONATION.  How you decide on your donation is totally up to you.  You could choose to donate a certain amount.  Or, your donation could be made up of a "registration" fee (of your choosing) to participate plus an amount based on performing your fitness challenge.  By the way, $0.01/kettlebell for 10,000 kettlebells would work out to $100.00.  You may even have friends who are not able to participate in the fitness challenge, but would like to sponsor you.  You decide, and at the end of the challenge, you and your friends can make your donation.

BE FIT.  Doing the full 10,000 kettlebell challenge is obviously a demanding physical challenge.  That's why we are really encouraging people to set a reasonable fitness goal/activity that will be challenging but do-able.  If you want to walk 28 miles (a mile a day) in February, then do that.  If you want to lift a soup can up to your shoulder a few times in a row (Mom exercises with soup cans!), then do that each day.  Do whatever exercise you want to do, at whatever intensity level works for you.

BE HEALTHY.  Before you jump into any kind of fitness activity, you need to know your body is healthy enough to do it.  If you are not sure, or if you haven't done anything physical for awhile, ask your doctor if you're body is up for it.  If you will be participating in outdoor activities, use proper outdoor clothing and footwear.  If you'll be huffing and puffing, wear a scarf so you're not breathing the cold air in directly.

TRAIN PROPERLY.  Be sure to start training for your activity, and ramp up your effort gradually.  If you choose kettlebells, be sure to use good form so that you do not injure yourself.  Get some pointers from a local fitness coach or trainer to make sure you are executing the workout properly and safely.  A great idea would be to tell them about the challenge - and even challenge them to participate.  Use as much variety as you can so you don't get bored (this helps keep your motivation up).

SPIN-OFF BENEFITS.  By challenging yourself physically and using good form, you will be building both mental and physical toughness.  The satisfaction you get from setting challenging fitness goals and achieving them can be exhilarating.  Four weeks of regular activity should be enough to establish a true active living "habit".  As you build up your base posture, agility and strength, you will probably also notice that you FEEL BETTER.