[I had way too much fun with Photoshop yesterday.]
Recently on Twitter, Fit Bottomed Girls posted a link to this article by Steve Ruiz on his compilation of a fitness bucket list. If you have seen the movie Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, you know what I’m talking about.
A bucket list is essentially a list of all the things you want to accomplish before you, ahem, kick the bucket.
Some of the things Steve wrote on his fitness bucket list were bench pressing 300 pounds, hiking to the summit of a mountain, and running a marathon in Greece.
The best part of this list is that it can be as crazy and as ‘out there’ as you want to make it. It is your list and you can write any crazy fitness goal you have ever dreamed of!
Of course, I was super, super excited to make my own fitness bucket list!!
Being a visual person, I knew I wanted something I could put up on the wall to motivate and inspire me.
I printed off this image of a bucket onto cardstock. Click image for the full size and you can save it to your desktop. Print away.
After printing on cardstock, I took a pair of scissors and made a slit in the top of the bucket going horizontally. After that, I taped a piece of paper on the backside of the bucket. The paper will catch the list item that you stick through the slit.
Then I typed up and printed off the list items and I cut them up into long strips. Finally, I printed a title for my bucket and taped that on.
Voila…my very own real life fitness bucket list:
Here are the fitness things I want to do before I kick the bucket!! ;)
My list:
- Run half marathon
- Run sub 2hr half marathon
- Climb Canadian Rockies
- Take yoga class in yoga studio
- Indoor rock climbing
- Run marathon
- Outdoor rock climbing
- Sky dive
- 25 regular push-ups without stopping
- Sail on a catamaran
- Learn how to scuba dive
- Run a race in a foreign country
- Organize a huge charity run with bloggers/readers
Once I accomplish goals on my list, I am going to pull out the strip and staple/tape it to the side of the bucket.
I put it on beside my desk so I can see it each and every day to motivate me to stay on the right fitness track. I think this will be especially motivating once winter hits! It puts a big smile on my face when I look at it and imagine myself doing all of those things.
What would your fitness bucket list say? In other words, if you knew you could NOT fail, what would you do?
Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.
~Norman Vincent Peale
I saw that article – great idea!! I’ve actually thought about this before:
– Run a marathon
– Swim the Northumberland Straight
– Do a trail race
– Finish a century bike ride
– Squat my bodyweight
– Do 50 push-ups
– Run a 5k in 25 minutes or less
-do yoga (which I will from september)
-do not beat yourself up when skipping cardio
-more strength training
-running without stopping for an hour (I can’t run at all)
I just wanted to throw it out there that I think you have the capability to cross two of those off when you finish your half marathon. I predict you’ll be able to run the sub 2 hour this first try…
Here are a few of my bucket list fitness goals:
-Run a sub 2 hour half marathon
-Run a marathon
-Do a triathlon
-Run a sub 50-minute 10K
-Do 50 push ups
-Run a 5 K in under 23:30 (maybe even lower, but I’ll go with this one for now)
Wow thank you for the vote of confidence. :) Goodluck with all your goals too!
I’ve made my list before, but never thought to print it on an actual BUCKET… haha very creative! I love the idea of having the visual. Although I wish I had an “office” space in our condo, the hubby might not want that on our fridge haha.
My goals are very similar to yours…. I was just saying yesterday how I really want to organize my own race for charity!
mine would be
– attend a yoga class
– do a triathlon
– do a marathon
– learn how to surf
– learn how to snowboard
– run a 5K in 21 mins or less
Awesome idea and I love how creative you were with bucket picture! I’m going to make my own fitness bucket list tonight!
I had a favor to ask too…I’ve recently started running and as fall/winter approaches, I’m getting nervous about running outside and battling the cold/snow. I live in New Hampshire, so it gets in the teens(farenheit) here and lots of snow! How do you cope with running in the winter, staying warm and breathing in that painful cold air? Thanks and my apologies if you’ve already done a post about this! = )
Hey- I’m sure Ange will comment too, but I’ve done a lot of winter running (and I’m just a bit north of New Hampshire in eastern Ontario) and one of my first suggestions would be to invest in some good winter running gear. You’ll pay a little more for it, but it will keep you warm. Start with a good set of wicking long underwear, and go from there with your layers. (Make sure your outer layer is wind proof)
I must admit I haven’t done much running in the winter. Since I have my treadmill, I tend to stick to that in the winter (total chicken here!). Actualy though, one of my goals is to get outside more this winter so I will probably look at investing in some winter gear to motivate me. has anyone used those runner’s cleets? The grip things you attach onto your sneakers for ice?
I’ve used “Yak Tracks” and they are good for ice, annoying for deep snow.
I’ve heard that the screw shoes are really good AND it is cheap because you do it yourself: http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm
I live in the prairies and aside from maybe a week of -30C I ran all last winter. It’s actually one of my favourite times to run.
If you keep an easy and consistent pace you usually won’t slip on the ice that much so I never thought cleets were necessary. I have taken a few spills but snow is pretty soft to land on. I also didn’t buy much official running gear and did just fine. I ran in my biking pants (knee-length) with a pair of sweatpants over top, a long-sleeve sweat-wicking jacket (sometimes another wind-resistant jacket over top if it was really cold) and those cheap gloves you can get at the grocery store for a buck a piece. I might invest in some better running pants this winter, but if you’re not too serious I don’t think it’s necessary.
Also, make sure you find routes with nice homeowners who shovel their walks early in the morning ;)
Mine would be:
Run a half marathon in
– Paris
– New York or San Francisco
Run the London marathon, or A marathon anywhere else (maybe Marathon itself, that would be cool!)
Learn how to surf
Take kickboxing
Swim 1km
Do a hike or mountain climb in Peru or Nepal
Do a yoga retreat somewhere exotic, preferably with Shiva Rea!
i love this! mine would be:
join a yoga studio (i will do this when i can afford it!)
complete a 30 day bikram challenge
run a half marathon
run or walk (more realistic for me) a race for charity
hike in the andes mountains
go on a yoga retreat
We share some of the same ones . ..
Sub-2 hr half marathon
Finish a half marathon (umm, that should probably be first!)
Do several foreign half marathons in different continents (but NOT the one in Antartica – that’s impressive, but not one for me!)
Run through an entire pregnancy (when it actually happens, which isn’t for a bit).
Run a post-baby marathon.
Try Pilates – everyone I know who does it raves about it.
Lower my 5K race time.
That’s a good idea though for long and short term – I am sure there will be more added to all our lists!! :)
Ok lady, you are waaaaay too creative! How cute!
1. Run a marathon (12/18/09!!!!)
2. Do a triathalon
3. Run the Boston Marathon
4. Run a sub 20 5k
Just a few of mine.
I would do another series of sprint-distance tri’s. And MAYBE do a figure competition. I said maybe. ;-)
Thats adorable!
I’d have to put in “learn to like running” and “not dread exercise”
If I start there, the other stuff will follow.
I love this idea! My list includes:
Start Doing Yoga
Do at least 3 unassisted pull-up’s
Squat 150lbs
Learn to like running
Love this! Just wanted to share that I have my own “List” going, although it’s not for things to do before I ‘kick the bucket’ it’s a list of things to do BEFORE I TURN 30 next year (I do have some fitness and food goals on there, too). I started a blog about this project to track my progress and, of course, hold me to my word. Lists are incredible tools and I’ve made one on my birthday for years, but none as significant as the one I’m working on right now. Making up a list for fitness is a great idea and a healthy one at that. The key is, I’m finding, not to become overwhelmed by the List – keep positive and set some smaller goals to get to the big ones that sit on a list. Sky diving is on there for me, too, Angela. First step, research a good company, get moral support from friends/family, then book it! As for the yoga (I’m a teacher) there are tons of yoga studios who offer FREE classes for first timers. Take advantage of that opportunity and shop around for a class that’s right for you. The right fit will make all the difference. All the best with your LIST!
what a great idea!
– run a half marathon
– hike as much of the AT as I can in my lifetime
– be able to do 25 REAL pushups :)
Definately learn to scuba dive- most relaxing thing you could ever do! If you ever have the opportunity, do it in the Cayman Islands…AMAZING!
I love your Bucket (and the list that goes with it!) I’m a total list maker and never though to do a Fitness Bucket List…I may have to try it!
A couple I thought of:
– Run the 1/2 (or maybe full) Las Vegas marathon (I <3 Vegas!)
– Get a team together and do the Jasper to Banff relay
Ang you are so inspiring..
Megan’s bucket list
*Run a 1/2 Marathon.. Hopefully Disney Princess Half In march
*Practice more yoga
*Do 25 real push ups
What a great topic!
Here is what I came up with on the top of my head. If I think about it more I am sure I can come up with a ton of stuff. I definitely am going to put together a fitness bucket list!
-Run another marathon
-Run a sub 2 hour 1/2 marathon
-Do a triathlon
-Rock climb
-scuba dive
-ski with confidence and tackle a black diamond.
Love this idea!!!
Things I’ve done: become a yoga teacher 9 years ago, run in over 100 races including 5 & 10k’s, half marathons, and a marathon. I’ve learned to scuba dive, I’ve rock climbed, I’ve spent a month in the Costa Rican rain forest, I’ve gone on yoga teacher trainings in the Yucatan, I’ve scuba dove in nothing but a teeny tiny bikini-no wetsuit, umm I’ve learned to run while pushing 60 lbs of toddler + jogging stroller…I’ve done lots of stuff and I am super proud but I always want to do more!!!!
The new things I am loving and want to do more of in the future: my blog, go to raw culinary academy, start doing more with my yoga/private client business, do more remote hikes, get on the show Survivor, be a great mom and inspire my hubs and daughter to stay healthy.
Whew..that was alot :) Oh, and cut down on my coffee intake. But I love it…