The 100 Day Challenge is 100 days of exercise AND/OR 100 days of sobriety.

Please get in touch by emailing m.j.bauer@outlook.com if you would like to take part...absolutely anyone is welcome!

Special thanks to all the tutors and staff at Yipiyap for all your support with joining and donating.     ( www.yipiyap.co.uk )

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If you are an individual or organisation within the health, fitness or sobriety world and want to get involved; please let us know.

• Thanks to sober blogger/influencer Katie McNicol for joining in. 
  Please give her Instagram page @thissobergirl a follow for top tips and advice regarding all things sobriety, health and mindset.

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People attempting the challenge so far: 

1. Mike Bauer - Exercise and no alcohol (1st Jan - 11th April)
2. Georgie Fox - Exercise and no alcohol (1st Jan - 11th April)
   
3. Louna Fitzsimmons - Exercise and no alcohol (12th Jan - 22nd April)
   
4. Jess Shepherd -  Exercise and no alcohol (1st Jan - 11th April)
   
5. Joseph McCartney - Exercise and no alcohol (15th Jan - 25th April)
6. Aayush Nanda - Exercise and no alcohol (15th Jan - 25th April)
7. Tia Pitchers - Exercise (16th Jan - 26th April)
8. Mary Melindo - Exercise and no alcohol (18th Jan -  28th April)
9. Holly Copeland - Exercise (19th Jan - 29th April)
10. Sophie Thompson - Exercise (19th Jan - 29th April)
11. Maymunah Kathrada - Exercise and no alcohol (19th Jan - 29th April)
12. Afsana Islam - Exercise and no alcohol (19th Jan - 29th April)
13. Aliza Bano - Exercise and no alcohol (20th Jan - 30th April)
14. Katie McNicol (Insta @thissobergirl ) - Exercise and no alcohol (21st Jan - 1st May)
15. Sultan Ahmed - Exercise and no alcohol (21st Jan - 1st May)
16. Maryam Miah - Exercise and no alcohol (21st Jan - 1st May)
17. Charly Waterworth - Exercise and no alcohol (22nd Jan - 2nd May)
18. Harry Chester - Exercise (22nd Jan - 2nd May)
19. Kay Uka - Exercise (23rd Jan - 2nd May)
20. Sarwanch Singh - Exercise and no alcohol (23rd Jan - 2nd May)
21. Grace Sanderson - Exercise (23rd Jan - 2nd May)
22. Emilia Pettit - 
23. Caitlyn Taylor - Exercise (23rd Jan - 2nd May)
24. Shanai Nair - Exercise and no alcohol (23rd Jan - 2nd May)
25. Alex Vellins - Exercise (23rd Jan - 2nd May)
26. Sophie Freeman - Exercise and daily writing (1st Feb - 11th May) + 30 days no alcohol
27. Maya Williams-Hamm - Exercise (1st Feb - 11th May)
28. Shauna Donovan - Exercise and no alcohol (26th Feb - 5th June)

Stories of all those involved are listed below and below the stories you can see exercise updates from many of the challengers...

1) MIKE'S STORY 

Mental Health Awareness is a cause close to my heart due to my own experiences with depression during college and university. I also have several friends who have struggled with various conditions... one close friend in particular unfortunately lost his own battle with addiction and depression/bipolar and took his own life. Now more than ever it's important for people to look after their well-being and support each other; the COVID-19 epidemic has significantly increased the number of people who feel lonely and isolated and this is only likely to continue to rise during this new lockdown.

I strongly feel that there is still a stigma surrounding Mental Health and there is still not a sufficient level of education within our schools and support within the NHS. Therefore, I want to do something small to support a charity that both supports those struggling with Mental Health issues and spreads awareness to everyone else. I have chosen Mind.  

One of the most successful ways I have found to keep mentally well is through regular exercise. I am always my happiest when I am in an active routine. So, I will attempt to do yoga, weights, running or walking (and hopefully boxing if the gyms ever re-open!) 7 days a week. I will update what has been happening on STRAVA so if you don't follow me on there and you're interested - please do so! 
I will also be quitting alcohol. Addiction and/or substance misuse goes hand-in-hand with most Mental Health conditions and alcohol can often exasperate an already low mood. I am keen to readjust my relationship with drinking and prove that you don't need to rely on it to have fun. I am interested to see how cutting it out completely for 100 days will affect both my mental and physical well-being!

If you have not read it yet and you want to know a bit more about my own experiences and what I now do to keep myself mentally health; please take a look at the following blog post (copy and paste it into your search history):
https://yipiyap.co.uk/tutor-blog-home/2020/10/12/happiness-can-take-time-and-effort

Thanks for any support you can give!

2) GEORGIE'S STORY

I was already a week into dry Jan when I saw Michael's post, without even really thinking about it I messaged him back saying I would join him in the challenge. I know that right now more than ever people are struggling with their mental health, I work for another mental health charity and I see 1st hand how important these charities are but also how desperately needed they are.

I believe  that we all struggle on different levels with mental health at some point in our lives, and even before the pandemic I have lost friends and family to mental health. It is a great tragedy
to lose someone you love to mental health and as I go through life I try to do all I can to support those around me and raise awareness of the importance of looking after not just each other but also ourselves.

As Michael has already mentioned substance misuse and mental
health go hand in hand. I don’t think you need to be classified as addicted to something for it to have a negative effect on your life. I have always struggled to find the “right” amount to drink,  and have
had to deal with the consequences of drinking too much on more occasions than I care to admit and I know that when my mental health has been bad there is strong correlation to how much I am drinking at the time.  On top of that hangovers are a massive cause of
anxiety and I see them as days wasted when I could be simply enjoying life instead.

During the first lockdown I started doing couch to 5k and it
did absolute wonders for me at a time when I was in a really difficult situation, whilst I can’t run at the moment, I will be doing some form of exercise everyday, especially in lockdown we need to make sure we are still moving our bodies! Even if its just a 10 minute walk, I believe doing something small is better than doing nothing.

So whilst I am doing this to raise awareness and raise money
for mental health, I am also doing it for myself to give myself the best chance to be the best person I can be - and hope that myself and Michael can inspire others to do the same. 

all my love, georgie x

3) LOUNA'S STORY

I've struggled with severe anxiety and mental health my entire life and know how difficult battling mental health can be and also how much a support network or support through a charity such as mind can help! I also know how easy it is to use Alcohol as an escape method or a way to numb down those feelings.

Exercise is one of the things that helps me cope and had gotten me through some of my worst times. I never saw myself as someone that could be "active" or "fit" but that's because I was comparing myself to other people! It's about your own goals big or small. 

I have lost several people to mental health two before I even hit 20 years old. I've finally managed to go back to education and worked out what I want to do at 25 - I feel like I lost out on a lot when I was younger because I genuinely didn't think I would make it this far so didn't bother to plan for my future.

I saw that Mike and Georgie were doing this and instantly wanted to help! Charities like mind can help young people understand they DO have a future and deserve that future.

It's also a brilliant opportunity for me to get healthier
too so everyone wins! 💓

4) JESS'S STORY

Firstly, a huge thank you to Mike for inviting me to take
part alongside a wonderful group of people. I will be taking part in this
challenge to honour those who lost their fight with the darkness. So many people battle with their own demons each day and thankfully charities like Mind are there to support them. While mental health services are severely underfunded, Mind aim to raise awareness and offer free services for those in need. The coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on government spending and the lack of mental health resources out there. They must do better.

During the 100 days I will probably moan about having to
exercise every day, so thank you in advance to the friends who listen.

We are facing difficult times economically so please know that
any donation is gratefully received and if you aren’t in a position to donate then please consider sharing our page and promoting the work Mind do more generally.

Finally, to my good friend IPAs of 4.5% or less, I will see you soon.

5) JOSEPH'S STORY

I'm doing the 100 Day Challenge because during lockdown I have lost the level of fitness I had prior to the first one in March. I feel that this challenge could really help me get back to my old routines.

I also believe that mental health should always be a priority for all of us. Exercise has always helped me stay focused and mindful: relieving stress, frustration and anxiety. It's great to be part of a challenge that promotes mental health and raises money for a great charity.

6) AAYUSH'S STORY

Mental health is such an important aspect of everyone's life, yet its awareness is overshadowed and its services are underfunded. In this pandemic, the virus itself hasn't been the only killer. Raising awareness is even more important now in these uncertain times and that's why I'm taking part. I understand the financial impact Covid-19 has had; any donation helps and sharing the page to others helps raise that awareness

7) TIA'S STORY

After a year where we learnt the importance of being kind to one another, Mind's mission is more necessary than ever. I've decided to get involved in this challenge because I love fitness! To be able to do something I enjoy and show support to my colleagues doing a similar thing, all whilst raising awareness for such a great charity was something I couldn't pass up!

8) MARY'S STORY

Having close friends who I know have struggled with mental health, I decided that I wanted to join this challenge in the hopes of raising awareness and aiding the cause. I knew that this would be a chance to show support to those who needed help at this time, especially during this year filled with restrictions, lockdowns and unease as to where everything is going. On top of that, I knew that I was slacking on the exercise, so I thought why not?

9) HOLLY'S STORY

Exercise is so important for your physical and mental health, especially in these uncertain times. The gym was my escape, no matter how unmotivated or tired I felt, dragging myself to the gym was always the best medicine for me. I’d come out with 10x more energy than before, feeling happier and healthier. Now lockdown #3 is upon us, it’s important not to let gym closures stop us from exercising. Even if it’s just a 20 minute walk in the fresh air, it’s proven to work wonders for your mental well-being. MIND is a charity very close to my heart, therefore I am honoured to be apart of this activity! 

10) SOPHIE'S STORY

During this difficult time whilst we are all spending more time at home and a lot of us are feeling more alone than ever, I feel it is incredibly important to look out for one another. I am getting involved with this 100-day challenge to not only improve my own mental health but to remember our family and friends who have sadly lost their battles and to remind those who are currently fighting their own demons, that they are never alone! It is so easy for us to lose touch with the things that we love and end up ‘living in our heads’ so let’s all come together to support each other.

Good luck to everyone involved! Please share this page to raise awareness, every donation helps! 

11) MAYMUNAH'S STORY

This challenge is such a great and inspirational way of enhancing the importance of mental health. I am appreciative to have the opportunity of taking part! Taking care of your mental health and emotional well-being is immensely important. Therefore, I am participating in this challenge to support those who are struggling with their mental health, always know there is someone to help support you!

Please share this challenge and donate if you can, every act of goodness and kindness is charity! 

14) Katie McNicol ( @thissobergirl )

I, like many others, have experienced my own mental health struggles and as a result of that I stopped drinking in 2019 at 24 years old. I still wanted to take part in this challenge because exercise is something that has been my saviour on my darkest days (not for 100 days though 😅) I want to help raise awareness for the amazing charity MIND who help so many, especially during the current global situation ❤️ All donations no matter how small are greatly appreciated! Wish us luck!

15) Sultan Ahmed 

Mental health is a really important aspect of our wellbeing and it is really important to take care of it especially in these difficult times. Many people are going through a lot behind the scenes and it is important we are able to support each other. I am doing this challenge for those people who are struggling and need the support.

16) Maryam Miah

We build up so much stress and tension during the day, either physically by sitting down to work or study, or mentally by worrying about the future, especially now since we have more time with ourselves and our thoughts. Exercise though is the perfect outlet to release all that tension and worry. I'm doing this challenge to alleviate this tension as well as to get myself walking more again as it has drastically gone down since my university has closed.

17) Charly Waterworth

So, after seeing Bauer’s posts for the last few weeks I decided to join the 100 day challenge. Not only exercise but also no alcohol for the 100 days. Being part of something that is for such a good cause and also cleaning your own body and mind along the way. Too many people are suffering in silence and hopefully we can pull together and raise enough money to make a difference, help expand resources and make help more accessible.

18) Harry Chester

I have joined the 100 day challenge for two reasons, Mind is a fantastic charity very close to my heart, I lost my best friend to suicide in the first lockdown of March 2020. This was extremely hard due to the circumstances and lockdown we were put under. Its been the hardest year for myself, his friends and family, we have lost a huge personality. The second reason is that I turned to exercise to drag myself out of some dark places and I am thankful that it has helped me stay positive and has helped me deal with my own mental health. Mental health has become more important than ever in the last 12 months, I want to do my bit and let people know that they aren’t alone when struggling, and talking about it really does help. I struggled when the gyms closed for the most recent lockdown, so this is a good way of making sure I keep up with my exercise.

19) Kay Uka

I have joined the 100 day challenge because I believe raising awareness for the Mind Charity is now more important than ever. I've decided to get involved because exercise is my life-line in keeping my mental health stay strong.  

20) Sarwanch Singh

I decided to join the 100 day challenge to lose some unwanted weight that I put over the lockdown when the gyms were closed. I'm not one who really enjoys home workout so taking part in the exercise challenge was something that I thought could keep me committed. I definitely agree with people that lockdown can take a huge toll on someone's mental health, personally I've not experienced a huge lot of mental health issues due to this for the fact that working in school has kept me busy throughout the day and I absolutely love all of my placements which I'm very grateful for, but it might not be the same for everyone else, so this is my bit to raise awareness of this charity so that people who need it can get help and maybe I can also lose some weight in the process. Win-Win.

21) Grace Sanderson

I have suffered with anxiety for quite awhile now and I am currently on a mission to reach 12 months of no self harm. I’m nearly at 11 months and this is such a great opportunity to motivate myself and reach that goal. I also wanted to join because mental health is such huge battle that people face on a day to day basis. For me panic attacks aren’t always visible. Some of my symptoms are shaking, disassociation and feeling dizzy. I want to take part to show that mental illness isn’t always seen but it is always there. I used to be someone who was afraid to reach out, out of fear of embarrassment, but I discovered that the best and bravest thing you can do is reach out to someone. I want to do this to show that it’s ok if you’re struggling but you can push through, you just have to give yourself time, care and love. 

22) Emilia Pettit 


23) Caitlyn Taylor 

I have PTSD as I was mugged at age 12, so it’s really affected my mental health and still does. Charities like mind allow people like me to get CBT when we need it despite long waiting lists.  Exercise is great for the body and mind and has really helped me in my healing process. Let’s do this!!

24) Shanai Nair 

Like most I’ve had experience with mild anxiety and depression, for me it was when I was younger and fortunately when I started exercising consistently it went away. Often when I do skip exercising over a couple days in a row the anxiety returns, therefore the challenge hopefully shouldn’t be too tough! Hopefully us doing this encourages more people to give consistent exercise a try. 

25) Alex Vellins

I'm doing this because exercise seems to bring me mental clarity as it forces my brain to focus only on a couple of things. My brain can often be my worst enemy but exercise seems to calm it down. Exercising regularly forces routine into my life and is a way of proving to myself that I have control over my life; if I can motivate myself to exercise, I can motivate myself to do everything else. I did exercise daily throughout the first lockdown, but my efforts have been patchy since then, so I love the idea of using my stubbornness to force me to keep going.

26) Sophie Freeman

Decided to do the mind challenge and better my own health (both mental and physical) to take action that hopefully inspires anyone struggling through the lockdown to either join up and have something positive to focus on or even just to raise awareness that there are great services out there that are available to help ❤️ ❤️

27) Maya Williams-Hamm

My reason for joining in is just to help a bit in raising some money for a charity that does important work

28) Shauna Donovan