Debbie Does Push-Ups! Day 1

Push-ups, Panic and Pressing Restart!

Dear Diary,

Today marks Day 1 of the Push-Up for Mental Health Challenge and I’m super pumped! (For now, until my arms fall off.)  But until then, I will keep reminding myself of my why and I trust that will push me through.  I have an amazing crew on my push-up team (still space for more) and generous supporters who’ve donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association.  This makes my heart so happy.  Thank you!! Having this supportive tribe keeps me accountable and reminds me that cheering each other on is not only FUN but being kind to one another and wishing each other a beautiful day (happened this morning with one of my teammates) makes us feel good.  And boosts our mental health (as per today’s mental health stat).  Each morning, the Push Up for Mental Health app (CMHA) sends us a push up target and a mental health stat.  

Today’s message.

“Today’s push-up goal is 63, representing the 63% of adults who say being kind boosts mental health.”  

Of my course my initial thought was “so the remaining 37% are a bunch of assholes?”  Maybe.  Maybe not.  It also made me laugh because it sounds so obvious.  Being kind to others is what we should be doing anyway (to avoid being known as assholes).  But true story, (and scientific based evidence), when you’re kind to people, they feel good and you feel good!  Win win. Time to carry it with me today and prove it!

I got up at 5:30am.  Ok I’m lying.  I put my alarm on for 5:20am, I snoozed (twice) and physically got up at 5:45am.  That’s me.  It’s my thing.  I’ve accepted it.  I’ve gotten way better at being the kind of person that gets up to do physical activity in the morning, so a little snoozing I’m ok with!  Very ok with actually.  Anyone that can spring out of bed or use the Mel Robbins 5 second rule deserves a round of applause!  I did it (for about a week) then decided, nope not for me, moving along.  Getting up early to do a workout was non-existent for the majority of my life until a few years ago.  Then I tried it and realized, “this is the sh*t that people talk about!”  It feels amazing to get a workout done first thing in the morning. You start your day with a win.  You’re energized, you don’t need to think “should I go later, should I skip it, what clothes should I wear, maybe I’ll go home first after work, maybe I’ll pack my clothes  etc. etc. etc.” 

The key is to make the decision the night before.  I know this from experience.  There is no way I’m gonna wake up and think, “it’s 5:20am, I think I might go to class at 6:30am?”  Definitely not happening. But when there’s a cancellation fee attached to that decision, I’m going!  That’s my money.  And yes of course the “it feels amazing thing” bla bla bla.  Hey, whatever works! My schedule varies from day to day so if I have the time to sleep in and do a 9:30am class I definitely do!  Balance.

Ok back to being kind.  I started going to F45 (group fitness classes/gym) in November of 2025 and I love it!  It’s a great crew.  Shout out to the crew at the SouthEast location in Barrie!  Strength training, cardio based classes where I kick my own ass about 4 times a week.  I love it there because of the coaches, the workouts and the location (11 minute drive at 6am is heavenly).  This morning, as per my push up challenge, there was a circuit of pushups, so I popped in 17 during the circuit and added more at the end to make it to 33 push ups.  That’s how my brain works.  "Now I have 40 to go," I thought.  As my kindness task reminder, I told one of the girls at F45 that I loved her nail polish and she was soooo excited to tell me all about the colour, how it brings her happiness and she said mine was "funky" too. Bright pink. Helps with the dark weather. :) After our sweaty fist pump after class she said, “what’s your name hon? I usually see you here with that buff guy right?” We both laughed, I said “yup! … that’s my husband.”  We both walked away smiling.  Proving that we are part of the 63%.

It’s almost 4:30pm and I need to get in 40 more push ups.  I’ll do that now because I’m off to teach a double class tonight at Namaste North.  Shout out to my Namaste North fam; staff and students.  I teach yoga and Pilates classes there and many of my push up friends are studio friends and I have the sudden urge to throw in some push ups in class tonight! For the record, I did 3 from my toes (not very well) and the rest from my knees (for now).

Note of the day, don’t be that 37% , see you tomorrow!

— Yoga Debb

 Building strength, mindset and real-life consistency, one breath a time ;)