Lotte thrives on challenges, making her the perfect candidate for this fitness test: mastering the splits in just 4 weeks.
The book Do the Split in 4 Weeks promises anyone—regardless of age or stiffness—can achieve it. Inspired, I grabbed a copy and dove in.
I'm no natural contortionist; legs behind the head? Not me. I could barely touch my toes, and running had tightened my hamstrings. But the book claims it's for everyone, so I was optimistic. Soon, I'd be Netflix-binging in a full split.
In week one, I followed the program's hamstring and inner-thigh stretches religiously. Within days, touching my toes felt easier (progress!). Still, the full pancake split—with chest to floor, like the 70-year-old success stories—seemed daunting. I was determined.
Also read: Lotte's Challenge: Drink Two Liters of Water Every Day
To boost results, I turned to YouTube tutorials from flexible gymnasts. They effortlessly folded into impossible shapes, chanting 'No pain, no gain!' It was intimidating, but I persisted safely, taking breaks to avoid injury, fully committed to the goal.
After two weeks of dedicated stretching and motivational videos, I progressed from toe-touches to grabbing my heels easily. I felt incredibly limber, though the full split remained elusive. Persistence paid off: warm-ups, deep folds, wide leg spreads, enduring the burn, then recovering to repeat. 'No pain, no gain!' echoed in my mind. This was elite-level training.
Also read: Lotte's Challenge: Hooping a Kilometer
Not quite. Despite four weeks of intense effort, the full split—and pancake variation—eluded me. However, I advanced significantly in both splits and forward folds, far beyond my starting point. Party trick? Maybe not yet, but the gains were real and motivating.
Follow Lotte's weekly challenges every Sunday on Santé. Check her Instagram: @happy_lotte_
