TDC and Fitness Challenges

[AntiM]

I've been crusing the Midsummer Madness Fitness Challenge thread and feeling (1) inspired and (2) intimidated. A few of our club members are bravely participating (Go Lessara! Go DarB!) but there aren't a whole lot of people signed up in my 'weight class'. Plus, I'm just not that comfortable posting front, side and back pictures on the internet!

I started thinking what I'd like in a "fitness challenge" ...
A goal that will push my fitness comfort zone without injury. A reasonable timeline ... short enough to feel attainable and long enough to create some real change. (8 - 12 weeks?) Instead of counting inches or pounds lost, the idea would be to add time or intensity to my chosen activity in small increments each week. Support and encouragement from others with a similar focus. A lot of attention placed on loving the body I have while gaining strength, flexibility and endurance.
What do y'all think? Anyone interested in doing something like this with me? I'd appreciate all comments and ideas.

[DusterCat]

After reading your post, AntiM, I went and found the Midsummer Madness folks and decided they are out of my league entirely - and no internet pictures of this girl, no way, nohow. Why? I don't know, but there you have it :))

I would love to participate in some kind of fitness group. Your point about pushing oneself without injury hit home; Tuesday I walked too far and got blisters, then couldn't walk for 3 days. I am sort of finding my way alone right now and it would be wonderful to have some friends to talk to.

As to how to structure it, I have no idea, but please count me in for whatever anyone comes up with.

I'm getting excited!

[Breecita]

I'd be happy to participate! With all the real life stress I've been under lately, my gym sessions and exercise have been vanishing. I need some motivation, ASAP.

Count me in!

[gotaloseit]

This sounds like a wonderful idea to me. I have in the past joined another fitness challenge and then felt totally out of my league with people who weigh in at 150-175 lbs. So lets get this started..........shall we start a thread just for the challenge???

[Hope1]

I dunno how to do it either, but I'm in. I need a little angel on my shoulder poking at me when I don't want to work out but I don't need my all and sundry posted for all to see. Catch me fifty pounds from now but today...? Uh uh. There has to be some sort of structure to it though or we'll get so airy fairy the only work outs we'll be doing is napping :lol: All in all not a bad idea....stop me before I snooze again! I'll keep an eye out for your plan or you guys can stop by my journal if you want to kick ideas around. Looking forward to it. :yay:

[AntiM]

Hi DusterCat, Breecita, Gotaloseit and Hope1,

I was so glad to see your posts! Let's do this thing! I've been doing a little research, here are my ideas:

I think we should set a start date soon ... I was thinking Friday, July 25th. This will give the other folk from the TDC time to see our thread and join us if they desire.

The last few years, I've been working on only making commitments I can keep. I think I'd like to make a contract with myself for 8 weeks of forward progression (September 5th). How does that sound to everyone? We can always go longer next time ... (see how optimistic I am?!)

This should be our 'brainstorming' thread, and when we're ready to go, I'll start another one in the appropriate forum (Countdowns, Challenges and Buddies).

I agree with everyone that a Challenge needs structure. This is what I propose ...

In our first ‘official’ thread posting, we would make a personal goal statement naming what form of exercise we’re choosing. The time or intensity or distance would reflect where we are right now, fitness-wise. For example, "I will walk 10 minutes everyday”. This would be more than the minimum of what I can accomplish and well within what is do-able. Next week it could be “I will walk 13 minutes a day and do 5 minutes of Physical Therapy for my hip on M, W and F".

Realistically … meeting my goals isn’t about ‘perfection’, it’s more about stamina, perseverance and consistency. I want to end up having made great gains in my physical fitness in eight weeks. Now should I be a victim of alien abduction, I’m not going to stress out that I couldn’t go for my walk that day - but the next morning, I’ll be strapping on the sneakers again.

In our last Challenge posting, we could see how far we’ve come by comparing where we began to where we ended up. Maybe we could even consolidate everyone’s fitness gains and post them to the TDC Forum?!

Finally, I want to focus on loving my body right now. Simply being on a diet, a “WOE” is hard on my body image. Instead of appreciating what I have right now and what I'm doing to improve myself, I focus on what I don’t have and how far from okay I am. I believe large people are inundated with so many messages of fat hatred and disgust that it seeps into our psyches. The act of working on changing my body’s size seems to stir up those deep places, and I’ve got to draw out the poison and nourish my spirit if I want to my total health to improve.

I propose we focus on a different area each week: Arms, legs, head, belly, hips, chest, back torso and the full body. Modifying an exercise from Leslea Newman’s book SomeBody To Love, we’ll remind ourselves about what’s right with our body and pamper ourselves, too.

What do you all think? Anything to add or take away or change? I’m open to any and all suggestions!

[MisterE]

AntiM, may I play the game of getting healthy with you?!

I love the idea of challenges, etc. BUT I am not posting either a before photo (yet) or my stats. I will TRUTHFULLY post my losses. Or gains. (God forbid!) And I will do the 12 weeks faithfully, putting in as much commitment as I have to staying the course in my eating program.

OK. I will jump in headfirst. These goals are for ME and yours are most likely different. I was wounded in Vietnam so my personal "challenges" may seem trite to some. Trust me, THIS will be a major accomplishment for me and my life! (Note: I DID NOT say IF I finish it!)

I commit to 12 weeks beginning TODAY, July 21, 2003 and ending October, 12, to the following:

1) 15 minutes of MORNING stretching 6 days a week (Stretching to the Classics w/ Richard Simmons)
2) using my cardio-Rider every other day working up to 10 minutes STRAIGHT without resting my bad leg.
3) use my "sitting" cardio video tape every other day (Sit Tight w/ Richard Simmons) working up to completeing the whole tape without resting my bad leg.
4) Upper body work out every other day (opposite the cardio)
5) daily walks with the expectation of being able to walk around a complete block without stopping by the end of 12 weeks.

Now this may seem to be either very much or very little. Point is it is my challenge to myself to help me increase my own mobility and help me to get back to doing the things I most enjoy in life. For ME, investing 12 weeks to improve the rest of my life is a real bargain. I WILL DO THIS!

[gotaloseit]

I agree with your idea's. I also think we should in the spirit of nourishing our souls each set up a "rewards" system for ourselves. Such as if I were to meet my goals for the week I will treat myself to a simple non food item, a manicure, a new pair of shoes etc. each will choose something they want and set that as their "treat". That way we can cheer each other on to our reward day.

[MTEcho]

I would love to be a part of this challenge. As of yet, I still have not motivated to start an exercise program. I would love a challenge to get me going.

Echo

P.S. Since Sept 6th is my b'day, it'll be another challenge to get moving!!!

[gotaloseit]

And MisterE, you have captured the spirit of this challenge, this isnt about getting a "bikini" body, or in your case a "speedo" body, but pushing yourself up one comfort level in terms of physical movement.

[hatetocook]

I too was intrigued by the Fitness Challenges I've seen here but haven't been able to participate (I don't have a digital camera or photo software, so couldn't post a picture even if I wanted to-- which I don't!).

Exercise has been an important part of my LC journey. But I know from past experience how easy it is to slip back into old habits. I'll have to think about what I would specifically like to accomplish, but am game to start on Friday.

For the length of the challenge, I would vote for 8 weeks. That's just a personal thing for me because school will be back in full swing by then & I will probably have to rearrange my schedule.

I like your suggestion about focusing on different parts of the body ach week, AntiM. I'm not sure how the whole loving-the-body part would work, but am willing to try.

LET'S GO :thup: :thup: :exclm:

[PattyCT]

Definately count me in!! I will be watching to see what the parameters are... thanks for providing those of us in the TDC a way to participate!!!

Patty

BTW-- Mr. E... its sooo nice to see your smiling face now!!! I've got to figure out a way to get a picture in here too...

[carlab68]

I'm in too!! I'm the world's worst when it comes to exercising, but dh and I actually worked out yesterday for the first time in years. So count me in. I promise to workout 5 days a week.

[Hope1]

I'll tell you, AntiM, those darned aliens always keep me from working out too but I'm willing to plough through regardless :yay: I think your ideas are great and I'll be waiting for the "start up" thread. I'll use the time to figure out my plan of attack. It seems as though you're gathering quite a crowd. That's great. :thup: Looking forward to it.

[AntiM]

Welcome MisterE! It’s great to see your smiling face, you charmer! You can be our inspiration, given that you’ve already made your commitment and begun! Good for you. And your fitness goals do not seem trite in the slightest!! We all have unique health histories - what matters is DOING it, not where we begin or where we end up.

Tanya (Gotaloseit) … I think your reward idea is fabulous! I’m definitely a carrot, not a stick, kind of girl. I’ll incorporate this into our first ‘official’ post.

Welcome Echo! What a treat to give yourself for your birthday. Not only sticking to your WOE, but you’ll know that you’ve made great strides in improving your fitness. Talking about giving yourself a gift!

Welcome hatetocook! I can so relate to your post about slipping into old habits. I know I’m getting more movement in than I was, say, last year, but I don’t seem to keep pushing myself to do a little more. It’s like I’ve settled into this rut … and I want better than just a tiny bit of exercise. I’m so glad you’re joining us!

Welcome Patty! I love your signature line … how true that saying is. But maybe since we’ll be working our bodies, success will find us more easily? I sure hope so.

Welcome Carla! How are you feeling after that first work out session with DH? I hope you both remembered to stretch since it had been a while. Is your guy going to work out with you, too? (Hey, the more the merrier!)

And finally …

Hope1 - I’m getting psyched, too. Somehow, doing this alone hasn’t inspired me very much. I feel like I’ve been trying to push a very large boulder uphill and suddenly I’m surrounded by other helping hands and arms and legs and hearts. We can do this!

So … I’ll post our first thread this Thursday on the ‘Countdowns, Challenges and Buddies’ forum. I’ll PM everyone with the thread link. Since MisterE has already committed to different dates, I’m hoping he won’t mind that our official challenge will be 8 weeks (ending September 5th).

And a note about the body image work - I don’t know exactly how it’ll go, either, and everyone must consider participation completely optional. I’m going to modify some journaling exercises into ‘homework assignments’ - basically a challenge to look at your body in more positive way. We’ll see how it works out … hey, we’ll never know if we don’t try!

[Breecita]

Not sure what we'd do with a website, but if anyone can think of a good use, remember that I'm website girl! I had tremendous fun with our World Walk challenge (any of you who haven't done it, I urge you to consider logging your fitness time in our walk around the world http://www.tapfer.org/worldwalk/) so I'm always open to designing new fun interactive pages. ;)

I'm coming up with goals, and can't wait. We're moving on Friday, so I can coincide my new resolve with my new home... a brand new start.

Thanks for coordinating this, AntiM!

[MisterE]

Old Man Update:
I am doing great! The exercises and stretches are all getting done. I feel so good about it because I know I am doing all I can to help myself. I mean, Hell, it I don't do it nobody else can. No matter how good their intentions!

And Bree you are without question the Wizardess of Websites in the most wonderful fashion!

[Graceful]

You can count me in too. I have not been able to get myself motivated yet. I have been on the program for almost 3 weeks and have only worked out once. Maybe this will help me. Thanks, I am looking forward to it. :roll:

[AntiM]

Woo Hoo!

Welcome Graceful! We are so glad to have you with us. Let's hope this will get us all moving!

Breecita, your World Walk website is fabulous! You are a web wizardess, as MisterE says. I'll be logging my miles there now, too, since there will finally be some miles to log (eventually!). I appreciate your offer to create a web page ... what do you think we could do?

The official thread is up at: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=125288

Everyone participating should receive a PM with this information, as well.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all there!

[Breecita]

As for a webpage... well, it would be easy for everyone to have their own little "goal journal", and on the main page we could have a link to everyone's personal pages, so we can share our progress.

I'm picturing each person having a profile where they set their "goals", and then each day (or at the end of each week) they can update and say what they've accomplished and how theyr'e doing or pretty much whatever they want. :D It could be a fun way to keep track!

I'm open to suggestions, however. If you can dream it up, I can probably think of a way to do it. ;) Until school starts up again, the sky is the limit!

[JYounginer]

Hey, I'm a VERY new user to this forum, but desperately need to start doing some sort of workout, and this sounds like the perfect chance to get started! I'm ready to go on Friday with the rest of you, let's do this! :dazzle:

Joni Younginer
Little Rock, AR

[Toronto]

This sounds like what I need. When I first started LC I worked out at least 3 times a week but I fell off the wagon a little and haven't worked out in a while. Count me in.

[aneredac]

OK, this sounds like a good idea to me also.
so, here goes..
I challenge myself to walk at least 15 minutes 3 days a week.

I also want to ride my bike for 30 minutes at least once a week. (got a brand new bike two years ago, used three times...)

And I will use my fit ball and do at least five minutes at least one time a week. (I bought it three months ago and have used it twice...)

does follow through seem to be a problem for me or what? :rolleyes:

Rena

[ketodiva]

I definitely want a piece of this action. I promise myself and my fellow TDC compatriots to:

1. utilize the Joyce Vedral weightlifting tapes 3x per week (Mon-upper body,Wed-lower body,Fri-Firm ab tape)
2. do the Leslie Sansome walking tapes on Tuesday and Thursday, building up from one mile to three miles.
3. Starting on Monday I will post my measurements and update on each successive Monday.
4. I will continue to nourish and cherish my body.


:yay: :wiggle: :agree: :yay: :wiggle: :agree:

[AntiM]

Welcome Ketodiva, Joni, Toronto and Rena!

Wow! You bring our numbers up to 16! That's a whole lot of people. When I go for my walk tomorrow, I'm going to imagine all of you crowded around and cheering me on. Glad to have you join us!

Click on this link to join the TDC Fitness Challenge...
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=125288 (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=125288)


Breecita, I think if you've got the time and inclination, the website sounds like a good idea. Tell me how I can contribute. Way back in 1983 I was the computer expert in the office, but time has definitely marched on! I don't even know how to add the signature line that links to our main thread without the whole 'http://etc.etc.etc.' - but I'd like to know how, if you'd be willing to teach this old dog a new trick!

P.S. Ketodiva and Rena ... would you mind copying your posts from here and entering them on our 'official' TDC Fitness Challenge thread? That way, it will be easier for you to find when our eight weeks are through.

[Marebear]

Hi all!
Count me in too. I have just joined here and would love to be a part of this 8 week challenge as exercise is one of my major goals in my quest to get healthier and stronger.

My exercise goals are to exercise 6 times a week. I will do 3 times cardio (I usually do am exercise video) right now I am at 20 minutes and would like to work up to 30 minutes. I will do 3 times weight lifting.

I also love the body image work. I, too, believe that is so important in our lives. Thanks for getting the ball rolling!

Mary

[ketodiva]

I'd be happy to copy my post to the official web site, but I don't know how to copy. Help please

[AntiM]

I'd be happy to copy my post to the official web site, but I don't know how to copy. Help please
Hello Ketodiva!

I have a Microsoft / DOS based sytems, if you work on a Apple computer this might work a little differently. This is what I'd do to copy a post:

1) Go to the very beginning of the post you want to copy.

2) Holding down the Left button of your mouse, move to the end of the post. (The text should now be white and the background black.)

3) Click on the Right mouse button and choose 'Copy'.

4) Go to the Official Thread: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=125288 (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=125288)

5) Click 'Post Reply'.

6) Go to where you'd normally begin typing your post and Right click on your mouse once more. Choose 'Paste'. Your post from this thread should now be copied into the new reply.

7) Click on 'Submit Reply' and you're done!

I hope this works for you ... if not, write back and we'll find someone who knows more. Good Luck!