It’s Day 1 of the Mykidstime 21 Day Health & Fitness Challenge!
Our health and wellbeing expert, Fiona O’Donnell, explains exactly what’s involved for Day 1 in the video below. As you work through the Challenge, tag us on social using #mkt21days and we’ll cheer you on!
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Day 1: Planning
Today’s challenge doesn’t involve getting out and kicking your legs up high or doing 100 squats. It’s a challenge on paper — and the challenge is simply this: make a plan.
Unless we have a clear idea of how we’re moving forward, it’s very difficult to take that first step. So today, take a few minutes to decide where these daily challenges are going to fit into your life. Getting this right now sets you up for the greatest success as the 21 days go on.
Ask yourself:
- Will you watch your daily challenge video first thing in the morning, before the kids are up, with a cup of coffee?
- Will you make time at lunchtime, while you sit down to eat?
- Will you sit down at six in the evening, watch the video and do the task then?
When is your energy at its greatest?
If your energy tends to slump by six o’clock in the evening, that’s probably not the best time to plan your challenge around — even though it’s a common one. Notice when you’re naturally most alert and productive, and build your plan around that window instead.
It’s different for everybody, so take a moment now to write down when you’re going to fit these tasks in each day. Remember, they’ll only take between 5 and 15 minutes.
Plan today’s food
The second part of today’s challenge: plan your food for the day.
Decide what you’ll have for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re watching this in the evening, plan for tomorrow instead.
Meal planning doesn’t have to mean mapping out seven days in advance — that’s not necessary and it’s often what puts people off starting at all. Instead, plan in small pockets of time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Keep it flexible rather than rigid; the goal is simply to remove the daily decision fatigue that so many of us feel around food.
Open a cookbook, browse a recipe site, or search Instagram for “dinner ideas” — then decide what you’re making tomorrow. Give yourself the gift of not having to make that decision on the fly later.
The idea behind Day 1 is simple: give yourself some headspace by planning ahead, so you’re not making decisions about when to do your daily task or what to eat every single day of the Challenge.
We’d love to hear your plans! Tag Fiona on Instagram @fionaodonnell.ie or on Facebook @fionaodonnellmsc, and use #mkt21days to share how you’re getting on.
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FAQs
What is the Mykidstime 21 Day Health & Fitness Challenge?
It’s a daily video series with health and wellbeing expert Fiona O’Donnell, giving parents a small, manageable task each day for 21 days to build healthier habits as a family.
How long does each day’s task take?
Most tasks take between 5 and 15 minutes, so they’re designed to fit around a busy family routine.
Do I need any special equipment for Day 1?
No. Day 1 is a planning task done on paper — there’s no exercise required today.
How do I share my progress?
Tag Mykidstime on social media using #mkt21days, or tag Fiona directly on Instagram or Facebook. She loves hearing how everyone is getting on.
Related Articles
- 10 Easy Ways to Become a More Active Family
- 10 Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas That Aren’t Porridge
- More days from the Mykidstime 21 Day Health & Fitness Challenge
Keep Going
Loved Day 1? Browse more family health and activity ideas on Mykidstime, or bookmark this page so you can come straight back tomorrow for Day 2 of the Challenge.
Don’t Miss a Day
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