Month 'o Challenges - Week 4 (open to all)

mosneakers

For the past three weeks, I have offered you both a food and exercise challenge. But, they have all been my ideas - they have been things that I've needed to work on and I invited you to accept the challenge along with me. Your goal this week is to make the challenges your own. You are to create your own challenge (and I mean a challenge, not "walk 10,000 steps" if you are already at 11,000) and DO IT!!!

As a reminder, for food challenges, we aimed to eat less than 2,000mg of sodium, take at least 30 minutes to eat one meal a day and come within 5 (over or under) of fat, carbs or protein.
For exercise challenges, we tried to burn 4,000 calories, take 77,000 steps and try a new workout/activity and do it twice.

So, what's your challenge going to be this week? Feel free to tweek the previous week's challenges to make them your own. If it's something you really need to work on, do it! If you made it to 77,000 steps and want to do 80,000 - do it!!

Last week, I said that I would walk a lot more steps than I did the week before. I was right - 93,222 steps this week and I was loving to see the big numbers when I added up the steps each night.
THIS WEEK - Food - Eat more "clean" food - fruits, veggies, "whole," unprocessed food (bye bye frozen dinners and dips with my veggies). This week I will not eat frozen dinners, slices of cheese, deli meat, processed crackers (oh no, not my Triscuits!!!! :sad: ), white anything (bread, rice, etc), organ meat, etc. If 90% of my food is "clean," I will have succeeded.
- Exercise - Yep, you guessed it!! I made 93,000 steps this past week, I'm going for 100,000!!!!

Who's with me?!?! Some of you have been with me for all three weeks and you've learned a lot about yourselves - I'm sure choosing your own challenges will push you to a whole new level!

rmsrws

One thing you mentioned that I have not seen anyone post yet......EATING SLOW!!!

It takes 12 minutes for your brain to realize you are eating, One could do some serious damage in 10 minutes of chowing at a fast pace!!!!

We were meant to be.....LOL!

dieselbugparrot

Clean eating a definite must for me. I'm been back and forth on this and I give into the urge to eat junk. Ugh! It usually doesn't even taste as good as I remember so I'm not even satisfied. So definitely Clean Eating!!!

As far as exercise I'm gonna have to think about this. I already am doing C25K, we do a workout video everyday and burpees so I'm gonna have to think about what I'm gonna do to definitely up the ante without hurting myself but I will definitely do something!

Cateyes0831

I was thinking about starting TurboFire over again starting tomorrow. I usually start up and then stop by Wednesday :ohwell: Soooo, challenge for this week is to stick with it no matter what!

Autumn_P

I haven't done any of your challenges but I think this will be my week! I keep saying I have to do the 30 day shred. I did 4 days and quit. So this week I will do it!!!

Reading about your past challenges, finishing them, and now your new challenge is very inspiring! I can't wait to see your food journal this week with all of the clean foods! I need ideas.

Have a great week!!! :flowerforyou:

lazatin

Ok MO~
My food goal is to eat more vegetables..not processed in my meal, but plain or steamed vegetables..my husband just picked some green peppers and tomatoes from the garden and I bought some cucumbers from a farmers market..so watch the food journal and stick it to me if you don't see them!

My exercise goal is to see if I can do the bike path in 15 minutes..It's 3.1 miles and I would like to do it before I have to start back at work...I'm getting close, 16:10 tonight, but this is the ultimate goal for me!

Also, I MIGHT start Ripped in 30 again, Jillian has had almost a month off....I think I may need to yell at her again!

cheri0627

I just want to walk more. My pedometer finally showed up on Wednesday night. I didn't realize how little I walk in a day. Seriously, I was lucky to break 4,000 steps most days since I've been carrying it.

I'm going to actively try to add more steps every day. It's hard because I have a desk job, and things have been pretty crazy at work lately. I will make sure to walk every time I get up to pee. (I'm drinking all my water and then some, so I'm in the bathroom at least once an hour.)

I am also going to work to add more fruits or vegetables to my diet, making sure I have at least one or the other every meal.

mosneakers

Good morning to you all! YAY - I'm loving what I'm seeing here. Great goals, all!!

I start my boot camp (6am, 3 days a week for 6 weeks) next Monday (which is also the first day of school, lol!!! omg!!). I'm thinking I'm going to have to push my body this week in order to get ready for the shock that it's going to get next week!! I'm going to try not to do the same workout twice this week - I've got enough DVDs to make that happen, and the Bridge to 10K program, and the gym. Should be an interesting week!!!

2 important things - You have to do something more than once to stick to it. All of you who are trying a new program or DVD, do it more than once, you'll be SO proud when you get to the end. Laz and I did the 30 Day Shred together (kinda - she beat me to the finish bc she's Wonder Woman) and it was HARD but sooooo worth it at the end. How many people can say that they finished the 30DS? 2 people on this thread can! Just keep pushing.
The other important thing - It is better to aim high and not reach the goal than to achieve a low goal. There's some famous quote that goes like that, and I know I butchered it, but it's ok!

Cheri - I am chained to my desk too! When I take my pee breaks (be thankful that it's only once an hour - I'm averaging 90oz of water a day on top of green and black tea, so I'm going at least twice an hour), I walk to the other end of the building to go. We have a two story building, so it's not like I can do stairs or anything, but maybe you can if you have a more than one floor in your building. Plus, on my lunch break now, I take a little stroll (or go and work out). I used to work through lunch and surf the net, but really needed to unchain myself from the desk.

cheri0627

Cheri - I am chained to my desk too! When I take my pee breaks (be thankful that it's only once an hour - I'm averaging 90oz of water a day on top of green and black tea, so I'm going at least twice an hour), I walk to the other end of the building to go. We have a two story building, so it's not like I can do stairs or anything, but maybe you can if you have a more than one floor in your building. Plus, on my lunch break now, I take a little stroll (or go and work out). I used to work through lunch and surf the net, but really needed to unchain myself from the desk.

My pee breaks are about every 45-50 minutes, actually. I'm drinking about 100oz of water a day, but I generally limit myself to one caffeinated beverage a day on my way to work. (I get cranky without my morning caffeine.) We do have stairs (lots of stairs...) but I also sweat like you wouldn't believe with the least bit of effort, so I really don't want to push too much during the work day. I may try to do a flight or two a few times a day and see how that goes, though. Thanks!

AParker1974

Ok my food challenge this week is to continue to watch my sodium but I am also going to watch my sugar intake, that part isn't so easy for me I have been going over each week. As far as my exercise, I have been walking 5 days a week, think at least 3 days of this week I am going to try to add running. That isn't going to be easy for me, I am a big girl, not just weight wise but in the ta tas.

mosneakers

Good morning, my lovely challengers!!!
One day under our belts (if you wear a belt, if not, I have no alternative saying for you :laugh: )

Took a nice "leisurely" walk with the bf and doggy last night before the slaughtering of the Bears. Ugh. The man's legs are twice as long as mine, so as I'm huffing and puffing to try to keep up with them, he's just strolling along. I'm sweating, he's looking for a challenge. Darn all 5'4" of me! lol. It's always a challenge when we walk - but it's always nice to add those extra calories and steps to my day!

mosneakers

Ok my food challenge this week is to continue to watch my sodium but I am also going to watch my sugar intake, that part isn't so easy for me I have been going over each week. As far as my exercise, I have been walking 5 days a week, think at least 3 days of this week I am going to try to add running. That isn't going to be easy for me, I am a big girl, not just weight wise but in the ta tas.

I've never had the problem with my girls- my issue is all the junk I have in my trunk! If you run, get a really supportive bra. Also, take a look at the C25K program. I think you start with running / walking 1 minute intervals. Just remember that NO ONE is looking or judging you when you run/trot/jog/whatever you call it. Plus, you burn lots of calories compared to walking (even speed walking). Let us know how that goes!

cheri0627

Yesterday was a good day for me. I have over 5000 steps recorded on the pedometer, and I forgot to put it back in my pocket after working out. (This was by far the most steps I've taken in a day since I got the pedometer.) I also managed to eat at least one fruit or veggie with every meal or snack. I'm feeling good.

cheri0627

Ok my food challenge this week is to continue to watch my sodium but I am also going to watch my sugar intake, that part isn't so easy for me I have been going over each week. As far as my exercise, I have been walking 5 days a week, think at least 3 days of this week I am going to try to add running. That isn't going to be easy for me, I am a big girl, not just weight wise but in the ta tas.

I'm a big girl, too. My suggestion is to try a specialty bra shop, if there's one around you. I was able to find a bra that fit right and held everything in place so I can work out.

AParker1974

Ok today was a good day!!! I was under all my daily goals!! I still need to meet my exercise goal for this week which to try a new exercise-running.

AParker1974

Thanks Cheri I will look into that

mosneakers

It's been a week!!! Ugh! I stress eat (a shock, I know!). Correction - I used to stress eat!!! I've actually found myself not wanting to eat when I'm stressed now.

I'm going to try to add variety to my workouts for the rest of the week. I woke up this morning and just didn't want to workout. That hasn't happened in a while. Well, the thought was there but I would always push myself and go. Not this morning. So, I brought my workout clothes with me to work. Here's hoping that I muster up the energy to workout during lunch.

cheri0627

It's been a week!!! Ugh! I stress eat (a shock, I know!). Correction - I used to stress eat!!! I've actually found myself not wanting to eat when I'm stressed now.

Sorry to hear that you're stressed, but YAY! for not stress eating!!!!

mosneakers

It's Friday!!! Woooooooo!
How are you guys doing with your challenges? I'll have to say that eating clean has made me feel a lot better and have more energy. I got so sick yesterday when I had that Panera soup (I knew I shouldn't have had it, but, you know how that goes!!!!) I think it was my body being mad at me that I put over 1,000mg of sodium in it in one sitting and that there really wasn't anything good in that soup. My body's mad at me when I eat bad!

I've learned so much these past few weeks, but most of all, I've finally come to realize that this is my life. I have a routine. While I try to mix it up a bit to keep my body guessing and continue to see results. Tracking my eating and exercising is now who I am. It's truly a great feeling and I never plan to look back. :happy:

dieselbugparrot

This week I decided to add an extra workout in. I did 1.5 Richard Simmons videos with my mom. We've never worked out together before. It went pretty good and we plan on doing it every week.

AParker1974

Today was a good day. I met all my food goals for the day. I am still working on the running. Thank you all for the advice it has been helpful. I did run a little yesterday and I felt great today. My son told me today he has lost 10 lbs this month since I have tried feeding the family healthy and walking every evening. Makes me happy to see that they are eating better and getting more exercise!!

dieselbugparrot

Today was a good day. I met all my food goals for the day. I am still working on the running. Thank you all for the advice it has been helpful. I did run a little yesterday and I felt great today. My son told me today he has lost 10 lbs this month since I have tried feeding the family healthy and walking every evening. Makes me happy to see that they are eating better and getting more exercise!!

That is Awesome!!! i am glad your family is profiting off of your healthier decisions!

mosneakers

Great job, you guys!!!! So cool that you were able to incorporate the fam in on your journey! I'm trying to do that too. I'm a venter. When I have a bad day, I vent. My bf is not. I'm trying to talk him into a yogalities class this fall (yeah, good luck with that), or maybe just go for more walks after work.


I changed up my challenge a bit - I was only counting miles, not steps. I did (walked, ran, biked, skipped) 40.49 miles this week. If we convert that to steps (although the biking isn't techinically steps, I did 80,984. Not too shabby!

Well August is almost over. Can't really do a week's worth of challenges in 3 days, so take the next 3 days off and plan some goals for September!!!