To stop myself from getting bored in my strength training at 40+ challenge, I decided to do the Strong 20 challenge by NourishMoveLove on YouTube. I’ve done a couple of their strength workouts before and I like their energy.
Their slogan is “Real strength for your real life“.
It’s basically 5 days of 20 min full body strength training workouts with 2 days rest then back on 5 days. This is a change for me as I was aiming for 3 days a week of weights, then cardio, yoga and flexibility on the other days. Hopefully this gives me some structure so I’m not looking for a new video to do the next day.
Each video focuses on different parts of the body.
Day 1: 20 Minute Leg and Back Workout
This one was a challenge! Monday morning and my motivation was non-existent so these short but strong workouts are very appealing to me. This was a tough and I was sooo glad for the big stretch at the end. After eating I went on a power walk.
Day 2: 20 Minute Arm and Shoulder Workout
Arms and shoulders today. Skull crushers went to failure. My arms turned to noodles at the end haha.
I’m not a big fan of floor work but surprised myself with the first planks. Will try push ups now my arms and shoulders are stronger 
I like how this program targets different muscle groups so I have chance to rest while I work on others.
I’ve eaten quite a few treats this week and it’s only Tuesday, so I will need to work on that! I did go on a powerwalk and managed to rack up over 11,000 steps today.
Day 3: 20 Minute Glutes and Abs Workout
Yesterday I was wearing an older green t-shirt of mine for St Patrick’s Day and I noticed my arms felt different to the last time I wore it. Like bigger but in a good way, I felt like Popeye. It’s nice to feel benefits of my hard work.
Wasn’t looking forward to this one and there was more floor work than I’d like. But… I surprised myself yet again. Stronger than I think.
The low side squats near took me out but I really enjoyed doing dumbbell glute bridges for the first time along with the crunch bridge. Finished off nicely with some stretching and a good cobra stretch.
Day 4: 20 Minute Standing Core Workout
It’s raining today and all I want to do is continue watching the amazing season 2 of One Piece under a blanket. But, I decided to move, went for a walk first, got drenched then did day 4 of Strong 20.
I’m so glad this was a standing workout because I did not feel like going on the floor today at all!
Day 5: 20 Minute Full Body Functional Strength Workout
Woooho day 5 of Strong 20 is here! This is becoming part of my daily routine now and I’m always pleasantly surprised with how well I do some moves I couldn’t do.
Some of the floor work was too quick so I had to rewind a few times to safely do the moves but we got there in the end.
The plan now is to have 2 days off from this challenge, then pick up again in Week 7 with day 6. My hips are feeling a bit sticky so I might do some yoga over the weekend to ease that and some cardio.
I’m not sure if I’m at the point of upping my weights. The instructors in these videos have a range of weights, but I only have 2 x 2kilo dumb bells (and my 1 kilos that are too light and now collecting dust)
Friday is my measurement day, so I need to do that later and hopefully see some changes this week. I certainly feel different but I know it can take around 8 – 9 weeks to see real changes.
Measure day was at the weekend and although the scales have gone up, the inches are coming off. Surprisingly on my thighs and under chest. Still feeling quite bloated around the belly but I’m putting more effort into nutrition this week.
I’ll be including the workouts I do in between strength like cardio, yoga and flexibility.
Rest Days
I’m back at it after 3 rest days and my energy is low! I totally intended to do a strength workout today but the heavy rain kept me awake all night. I did go for a walk and this afternoon I had a much needed face down siesta.
Day 6: 20 Minute Chest and Leg Workout
Ugh so that’s how we got to doing Chest and Legs on a Tuesday afternoon. This workout had me struggling so bad. My glutes we so sore and I’m sick of doing squats.
Is this how it’s going to be from now on? Squats and more squats, then squats with heavier weights? Surely there are other ways to get strong glutes and legs?
Also push ups? Hello? I think I need to google how to do those properly.
I’m in a mood today.
Day 7: 20 Minute Back and Arms Workout
I took a few days off Strong 20 over Easter break, it’s Monday morning and I did not want to workout.
But I told myself it’s only 20 minutes. That’s the big plus of this program. It packs so much into a short length of time. Today was back and arms so tomorrow I’ll probably have noodle arms lol. I’ll let you know.
Still not loving the quick change from standing to floor work but there’s only 3 days left.
Day 8: 20 Minute Thighs, Legs and Abs Workout
This was a tough day for me but I really want to finish this program.
Some moves I found easy, others like the wall sit incredibly difficult, I couldn’t even get into starting position lol. I think the program assumes I’ve actually done wall sits before lol. Maybe I need to find a video showing wall sit for beginners.
So many times I went to failure. My body really wants to do some yoga.
Day 9: 20 Minute Functional Core Workout
This morning told myself I’d workout tonight but then I realised it would get to tonight and I would likely make an excuse lol.
So thats how I went into todays Functional Core Workout with Nourish Move Love.
It was a sweaty one and although I said I likely won’t do another Strong 20, I do appreciate the encouragement from Lindsay and Rachel.
The end of the workout I surprisingly was able to do sit-ups for the first time since the early 2000s. Like woah!
Day 10: 20 Minute Full Body Functional Training
Yessss we did it!!! 🔥 When I finished today’s workout I had the BIGGEST grin on my face. It was a tough one, there were squats, floor work, crunches, lunges. Basically all of the things that I didn’t want to be doing on a Monday morning.
As I sat there on my mat after stretching, I experienced a runner’s high. Endorphins flushed round my body and for 1 minute I felt like I could save the world. I want more of this.
I’m not someone who completes things, so getting to the end of day 10 is a big deal for me. I usually ditch workout plans halfway through from boredom (spicy ADHD brain) or injury.
My Review of Strong 20 by NourishMoveLove
I like how these workouts are 20 minutes long but my problem is some of the workouts feel like speed runs. I know that’s the point, to make them go quicker but I’m also struggling to get into the position by the time I do, they move on to the next.
Someone in the YouTube comments suggested changing the speed of the videos to make them a bit slower, but I think that defeats the point of having quick workouts.
There are modifications so you can choose depending on your personal energy or movement levels. Both instructors are super encouraging with shout outs like you’ve got this, what if I said 10 more and so on. The fact that they both show struggle now and then shows they’re human just like us at home.
I don’t think I’ll be doing another run of Strong 20. I even had to take a break in the middle of it as I was feeling run down. But I got back on the horse. I’m so glad I tried this!
