Active April 2017 Challenge: Week 2 (4/8-4/14)
baconslave
Posts: 7,038 Member
Obilgatory repeat blurb 
baconslave wrote: »It's Active April folks.
Time to get moving.
No need to make your "heart gargle in your throat." Unless that's what you're into.
Active April is about making your goal an improvement in your fitness. Whatever constitutes an improvement for YOU.
So whether you want to train for a 5k or 10k, start HIITing your head off, or just start exercising, period, it's all good.
There will be a sticky at the top of the group with a list of the weekly threads should our thread get buried in this (awesome) group.
Go ahead and post your goals.
Update us daily and receive encouragement and support from your compatriots in the challenge.
Go get it!
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@baconslave thanks for setting up this challenge!
Active April Shape Up Challenge Goals
1. Eat between 20–30 g of carbs per day max
2. Drink 6 to 8 cups of water per day
3. Lift weights 3 to 4 times per week
4. Swing kettle bell 6 to 7 times per week
5. Walk six times per week
6. Record daily
7. Lose 6 to 8 pounds
SW 195
4/1 137 lbs
4/8 134 lbs
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April 1-6th, I did a 60 minute class at OTF and the 7th was a rest day.
Now for week two!
4/8 is another rest day for me because i pushed myself too hard last week and my body completely gave out.
At the beginning of the year I made a spreadsheet for a pushup challenge and I have a set goal for each month to hit. As each month passes by, that number increases. Last week I pushed myself so hard at OTF that I got behind on my pushup challenge. This week I will be playing catch up with that. I am only about 80 pushups behind so it should be doable.
By the end of the month I would like to shave another minute off of my fastest mile and reach the 200 pound mark or below.
Current weight on my home scale: 201.91 -
My goal was just to get to the gym 3 times a week, aaaand I did it! Just three times, but I'm also adjusting to my tuberculosis medication and did an at-home workout today. I know it sounds silly to have such a low goal, but with the side effects of my meds... I've lost more than 5 pounds this week alone. I've been exhausted.
Next week, I'd like to go 3 times, at least. 4 times, if I'm feeling up for it (I've been sleeping for more than 12 hours a day whenever I can. My energy just doesn't exist).3 -
Ran my 5K race this morning! It was awesome being able to do it with my husband after all the health challenges we've both faced. It was my 3rd-fastest 5K time but considering I've only been running consistently again for ~2 months and then was sick/not able to really train the past 3 weeks, I was very happy with it!
I also apparently got in over 15,000 steps total over the course of this day, so yay. So tired now though! Knees are sore. I definitely pushed myself this morning!5 -
My goal for Active April is to do 540 km on my bike (average 18km/day) -- and of course stay under my carb and calorie goals.
After 9 days, I'm ahead of schedule on the activity goal, with 176km on the odometer. I have also kept on track with both carbs and calories for the week.
And finally, I seem to still be in 'woosh' mode. I'm down another 5 lbs on my weekly weigh-in this morning!
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4/8 I reached a new low number on the scale today! I get up early and did strong lift workout A. I took a 2 1/2 mile walk in the afternoon. And I did my kettle bell workout in the evening. Carbs and calories were good!2
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For 4/8:
30 minutes activity: yes, plus 30.
Still not hitting the daily aspect, but holding my own timewise.
This goal is touching on some serious resistance. The goal itself is not a heavy challenge and it's not a long duration, but exercise has always been something I dont want to do. No matter how I dress it up or down.
Still, I think it's worthwhile to try. I do want it to just be part of a routine.
So, today I hope to choose between a pond walk or yoga.
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2/5 treadmill walks done this week. Down 1.6lbs since my weigh in on Friday morning. Had some alcohol Friday and Saturday night, but kept it within reason. My plan is to not have any this week until Friday. I'm leaving for the beach in 2 weeks and would love to be 5 lbs lighter for it.1
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Bike riding OUTSIDE is on the agenda tonight
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4/8: Walked outside for 90 min.
4/9: Walked outside for an hour.
I think made up for the sick day.
Active April 9/90 -
Put this in the wrong thread:
April 10 checkin:
Had a seriously good weekend for exercise, drained and cleaned the fish pond and trimmed all of the plant growth back, cut down a dead peach tree and removed the stump, fertilized the yard, edged the yard, helped the better half with the spring planting in the flower beds, etc.
Food-wise it kinda sucked - had too many carbs both days... but *kitten* happens and today is a new start!
Hit the gym first thing this morning for a chest workout and food will be on point today!1 -
4/9 I did get a Kettlebell workout in the morning. Went for two walks in the afternoon. Ended the evening with another Kettlebell work out. Carbs and calories were good! Another fantastic day! Hope everyone else is doing well with their goals!1
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Same all month long 15 running miles a week (this is a stretch for me just because of how crazy this month is but, it is an achievable stretch if I really make time for runs) and 3 days of body weight work a week.....gawd I hate strength training. but...ug. It's necessary and good for me.1
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Walked a total of 5 miles (extra, intentional) from 4.7-4.9.2
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Happy Monday.
Walked along the beach on Sunday in Maine. So much fun, the dogs are still allowed until Memorial Day. Love to see them running around having such a great time.
Just got back from my lunch walk. I walked for the first time in a long time with my co-worker Ms. Speedy. She slowed it down today and walked with me.
Since January I've been half-arsed at trying to get back at losing the weight again, I think last week I REALLY turned the corner. No alcohol over the weekend, so that helped a lot. I have no spring clothes that fit any more. Last year at this time I was 30 pounds lighter! I got rid of all my big sizes in summer clothes. Tomorrow is going to be really warm. Egads. I've got some serious motivation!.3 -
Active April Shape Up Challenge Goals
1. Eat within my mfp goals, reducing the amt of carbs I have throughout the week
2. Drink 100 ounces of water a day
3. Lift weights doing only arm workouts until my nerve condition gets diagnosed
4. Keep drinking green tea instead of soda
5. Continue to log everything, no matter how bad
6. Stay active in my groups daily
7. Lose 15 pounds this month
SW 265
4/1 265
4/8 2643 -
1 mile in for today.2
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Again, I know I am backwards from most as I am trying to limit my activity because my doc thinks part of my BG control issue is overdoing it physically. That said, I was successful at staying under 15,000 steps 5 out of 7 days and taking Sunday off. Even taking it off, I almost hit 10,000 steps. I just have a hard time sitting still. I can barely make it through service at church on Sunday morning.
This dropped my steps by over 26k for the week and my Fitbit calculated calories by over 300 per day. So far I seem to be doing OK at reducing intake to adjust for reduced output.
I did do my strength training with an emphasis on not overdoing it M-F.
The success is my average BG reading was 2.5 points lower this week than last week, so maybe this is working. On the flip side, my resting HR has been going up since trying to take it easier which actually started last month. Average is still good though.
Fitbit progress report for the week is below. I have set the 15,000 as the goal to alert me if I go over. I am using it backwards of what most would do.
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4/9: 60 minute OTF class - strength day
4/10: 60 minute OTF class - endurance & power day (followed by a fairly active day at work)
Tomorrow the plan is to attend one more OTF class before taking a rest day or two. Tomorrow I have a friend coming with my gf and I to class so that should be fun and I should hit the halfway mark on my marathon challenge!
Also, there have been a few times mid-day that I have stepped on the scale to see a number that does not start with a 2! But i'd like to be more solidly under 200 before officially saying I am in ONEderland.0 -
Did 25 min cardio plus 30 min PT home program today for strength.1
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4/10 in the morning I did strong lift workout B. In the afternoon I walked over 4 miles. And in the evening I did a kettle bell workout. Carbs and calories were good.1
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slimzandra wrote: »Happy Monday.
Walked along the beach on Sunday in Maine. So much fun, the dogs are still allowed until Memorial Day. Love to see them running around having such a great time.
Just got back from my lunch walk. I walked for the first time in a long time with my co-worker Ms. Speedy. She slowed it down today and walked with me.
Since January I've been half-arsed at trying to get back at losing the weight again, I think last week I REALLY turned the corner. No alcohol over the weekend, so that helped a lot. I have no spring clothes that fit any more. Last year at this time I was 30 pounds lighter! I got rid of all my big sizes in summer clothes. Tomorrow is going to be really warm. Egads. I've got some serious motivation!.
Sounds like you have some great motivation. You can absolutely do this! By summer, maybe you will be the one referred to as Ms. Speedy.1 -
Happy Tuesday!!!
Yesterday's food was a little high in carbs but not as bad as the weekend.
Hit the gym this morning and burned legs for an hour in the weight room - did an ab set as well.0 -
@cstehansen. Thanks for the kind words. Love your fitbit app. Just wondering why does it indicate weight gain 5 pounds? That would bum me out. I've been considering getting some sort of tracking device I have an android system on my phone. However, I need to wait until I pay off my vacation and new camera first.
Today, my hip has flared up again, so I declined walking today. I will probably go by myself after lunch.
Packed my lunch today. May have to go out with my aunt tonight tho..
Happy Tuesday! Staying strong.0 -
slimzandra wrote: »@cstehansen. Thanks for the kind words. Love your fitbit app. Just wondering why does it indicate weight gain 5 pounds? That would bum me out. I've been considering getting some sort of tracking device I have an android system on my phone. However, I need to wait until I pay off my vacation and new camera first.
Today, my hip has flared up again, so I declined walking today. I will probably go by myself after lunch.
Packed my lunch today. May have to go out with my aunt tonight tho..
Happy Tuesday! Staying strong.
The gain 5 pounds is because it synced with MFP and I didn't start using MFP to track weight until I had hit goal, set a new goal, hit that and was halfway to another goal, which after reaching it was about 10 lbs lighter than I really should be. I started at 223 with a goal of 195 that became 185 that became 175. At 6'1" and much more athletic than most, I am much healthier at 185 than I was when I got down to 175. BF% is still around 15% which I think is pretty good for a middle aged man. I wish there was a way to just delete starting weight.
Regarding your hip, I may be able to help. I was having a lot of issues with hips, knees and ankles for years. A few years ago, I did a bit of research and found that part of the problem was the way we now walk/run. If you look at the Kenyans that win all these marathons but learned to run barefoot, they run much different than those of us in the west who were taught to go heel-toe.
It took me a few months of really being conscious about my stride, but learning to walk (and especially run) as if I were barefoot where the I wasn't coming down so hard on my heel with every step made an enormous difference. For decades, they have made walking and running shoes with thick cushioned heels which only made people more prone to this bad form.
For me, one of the easiest ways to make sure I am walking properly is to walk barefoot on our hardwood and tile floors. You will find you walk more toward the outside and ball of your foot. That change in stride eliminated 90% of of all my hip issues and nearly 100% of the issues with my knees and ankles. The remaining issues with my hips were resolved with better stretching AFTER I did a lot of walking/running. Stretching before is good. Many times people don't realize how important it is to stretch afterwards.1 -
4/10: Buns and Guns Barre workout (strength) plus cleaning like a madwoman
Active April 10/101 -
@cstehansen. Thank you again. Nice job on your fitness goals and shooting for a health.
I'm not particularly keen on the sneakers I have at work. They are more like aerobic shoes. I'm going to switch them up with another pair that have much less cushion and more for running. The reminder about stretching is also very helpful. Boston Marathon next Monday!! Hoot. (not that I'm running it, but it's a good excuse for a day off.)0 -
Well I'm still here but ended up sick as heck (just sinuses/allergies) so my step counts suuuuuucked for 4/8 - 4/10 So did my eating. Of course I keep on keeping on so I'm doing much better today. Calories weren't terrible but my carbs were. Since I'm feeling better today, getting my 20-30 minute walk in and doing some food prep are on task for 4/11.
Oh and final weigh in for our work event is tomorrow. I should have it but I'm paranoid as heck. Cross your fingers eh?2 -
6 miles for the week so far. Thats all I got in last week so win!
Anyone use map my run? I love it for the distance info and...well...mapping. As well as for the time splits but it seems like the calories burned part of the app is suuuuper generous. I don't think I really burned 700 calories in that 3 mile run. I dont have a fitbit or heart tate monitor so I know all calorie burn dats is simply an estimate. I dont know what I'm looking for here other than just a place to *kitten* about crappy calorie burn data.
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4/11: 60 minutes OTF - power day (HOLY ROWING!) 892 calories burned
-Hit the halfway mark on the marathon challenge!
-Shaved another 48 seconds off of my fastest mile.
I also got an inbody analysis done today. Started tracking 2/2/17.
-Down 9.5 pounds of body fat (decrease in body fat percentage of 3.3%)
Active April is going great!4
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