The song “Carousel” by Wankelmut, PLANT is just like our playground at recess! Think about how we go round and round on the merry-go-round, laughing and holding on tight. Sometimes we get dizzy but we don’t want to stop because it’s so fun! That’s like how our days feel right now in our club. We do the same things over and over, but we still love it!

When we play the same games at recess every day, like tag or four-square, we know all the rules. It feels safe, but sometimes it gets boring. In the song, they sing “round we go” many times because life can feel like that too. We wake up, go to school, have homework, play, and then do it all again tomorrow. But that’s okay!

The bright colors of a real carousel make us happy, with red and gold horses going up and down. Our club is colorful too! We have our favorite spots to sit, our special games to play, and friends who make us smile. The song has a beat that keeps going, just like our friendship keeps going even when we have small arguments.

Sometimes we get stuck doing the same things and forget we can try new games or make new rules. The carousel in the song keeps spinning, but we can choose to try a different playground equipment! In our club, we can suggest new activities or invite someone new to join us for lunch.

The song gets in our heads because it repeats a lot, kind of like when we can’t stop singing our favorite TV show theme song. Our friends’ words get stuck in our heads too. When someone says something mean or super nice, we remember it for a long time. That’s why it’s important to use kind words in our club.

We can learn from the carousel song that it’s fun to go round and round with friends, but it’s also okay to hop off and try something new! Our club can keep our favorite traditions but also make exciting new ones. Just like the song has the same beat but different parts, we can stay best friends while trying new adventures together!

Fun Questions to Think About

How is the song “Carousel” like playing on a real merry-go-round?
What things do you do every day that feel like going “round and round”?
What are your favorite parts of being in our club?
How does music sometimes get stuck in your head like the carousel song?
Draw a picture of what you think the carousel in the song looks like!
If your day at school was a ride at the fair, which ride would it be and why?
What new activity would you like to try in our club?
How do you feel when you do the same things every day?
What colors make you think of the carousel song?
How can we be good friends when someone wants to stop playing a game?
What’s your favorite part of the day that you wish would last longer?
If you could add a new verse to the carousel song about our club, what would it say?
How do you know when it’s time to try something new instead of doing the same old thing?
What games do you play that make you feel like you’re going round and round?
How can we help new kids join our club and feel welcome?
What do you think the singer means when they say “I’ve got you in my head”?
If our club was a carousel, what animal would you want to ride on?
What makes you want to keep doing something over and over again?
How can music change how we feel when we’re playing together?

THE MISSION

Transform your Christmas Eve into a celebration of strength, endurance, and holiday spirit! This four-hour workout journey isn’t just about physical transformation—it’s about honoring the dedication you’ve shown all year while embracing the joy of the season. Today, we train not because we have to, but because we GET to.

THE MINDSET

Each rep is a gift to yourself. Each set is a celebration of what your body can accomplish. The sweat is your tribute to the year behind and your commitment to the year ahead. This isn’t punishment for holiday indulgences—it’s a powerful reminder that you’re the architect of your own evolution, even on Christmas Eve.

THE CHALLENGE STRUCTURE

This workout is divided into four themed hours, each representing a different aspect of the holiday season. Move through them at your own pace, taking appropriate rest periods. This is YOUR journey—make it count.

HOUR ONE: “AWAKENING THE SPIRIT” (FULL-BODY WARMUP & CARDIO)

15 min: Dynamic stretching routine with holiday music
20 min: Interval treadmill work (1 min sprint, 2 min recovery)
15 min: Jump rope intervals (100 skips, 30 sec rest)
10 min: Medicine ball circuit (slams, rotational throws, chest passes)

HOUR TWO: “THE GIFT OF STRENGTH” (COMPOUND MOVEMENTS)

5 sets: Squats (increasing weight, decreasing reps: 15-12-10-8-6)
5 sets: Bench press or push-ups (same pattern)
5 sets: Deadlifts or kettlebell swings (same pattern)
5 sets: Pull-ups or lat pulldowns (same pattern)
Between each exercise: 1-minute plank hold (visualize holding a present steady)

HOUR THREE: “WINTER WARRIOR” (METABOLIC CONDITIONING)

Complete 5 rounds of:

20 battle rope slams (like throwing snow)
15 burpees (rising like the Christmas spirit)
10 box jumps (leaping into the new year)
15 Russian twists (unwrapping your core strength)
20 mountain climbers (racing through the snow)
Rest 2 minutes between rounds. Hydrate generously.

(Essay, Fitness) This Is It