40+ Workout Challenge (October)

fitnfun1

Day 2 of pushing it! I went back to an oldie but a goodie DVD - Kathy Smith's Rules of Fat Burning. I did 20 minutes of cardio, old school combo aerobics, and then 40 min of ST (20 upper/20 lower). I am head to toe worked out. I did a little bit of cleaning and shopping too.

I did a day of my diary to make sure I am keeping on track. I'm still missing one snack, and I need to up my protein, so I need low calorie protein ideas for that snack. Any ideas?

I hope you did well today!

mspix

Hi all! Sorry I have been MIA, it has been a weird few days.

Fitn, glad to see you are pushing it! That bike ride sounds like it was a killer! Wow! Nice workout today, too. RE: Protein-mozzerella cheese sticks, almonds or pistachios, yogurt (greek is great for high protein/low calorie), deli meat like turkey is something I keep on hand, as well. I like to roll a slice of turkey and a piece of swiss (the thin sliced, runs about 60 calories) together for a fast, filling snack.

Today I got the 40 min TJ in, missed the 20 minute ST due to people in my space. Changing schedules is going to wreak havoc on my morning workout, but I will figure it out.

What is everyone else up to?

PS: Fitn, you mentioned a challenge for next month using a combo of TJ and HHA...I would be interested in hearing what you have in mind!

fitnfun1

I did Cardio Party 1 TJ and just noticed it really is a 43 min. workout. I love this workout! The time really flew by!

Tonight I'm going to do some yoga or stretching. My body is still sore from the major ST I did yesterday. 20 min. of Yoga sounds good about now.

Mspix - You do what you can. Weirdness happens. As long as you get some kind of workout in, you are ahead of most people.

Sherrill - What's up?

Gigi - Are things getting back to normal for you?

For next month, I'm trying to think of a different challenge for us. Not everyone has TJ or the Hip Hop Abs. If we all enjoy kickboxing and aerobics, we could generalize this challenge and everyone can use their own version of what they have. I'm thinking adding some yoga/pilates would be a nice change too.

What about:
Kickboxing 2 days a week - 40 minutes with 20 minutes yoga
Aerobics 2 days a week (any kind) - 30 minutes with 30 minutes of Strength Training
Other activity 2 days a week - 40 minutes with 20 minutes of Pilates
One day off
6 small meals

It would still be 60 min/day with 2 days of ST but adding yoga and Pilates into the mix. If you do not like Pilates, you can either do more yoga or add a different mind/body like Tai Chi or something similar.

This is just a suggestion, and I would love to hear your thoughts. All I know is that in your 40's you have to keep your body guessing and have elements of cardio, ST, and mind/body.

:happy:

sherrillg

wk 3
Sat - 180mins - housecleaning - moving boxes(bodymedia counted 35mins of "vigorous" activity)
Sun - 15mins JOGGING (yes, really JOGGING); 15min brisk walking; ST: 20 mins Kettlebell!!!! ; 2 hours of mall walking
Mon - 31 mins - Jogging/fast walking intervals
Tues- 37 mins - jogging/fast walking intervals; ST: 30 mins weight machines; 15 mins stretching
Wed - 22 mins - JOGGING
Thur- Rest day - last Synvisc injections :-)
Fri - 60 mins - Walking

wk 4
Sat - 10mins - Jacob's Ladder 30mins - Wii Step; ST: 30mins weight machines
Sun - 30 mins - AMT; 3 hours - walking Seattle pushing stroller
Mon - ST: 30 mins - weight machines
Tue - 60 mins - jogging/fast walking intervals pushing double stroller

I've upped my calories the past week and been working on HEAVY strength training and amazingly...finally broke away from my dearest friend "plateau"! :happy: Hoping to keep this going now!

Everyone is doing so well!!!

mspix

Sherrill: Wow! Way to go! Congrats on busting ye old plateau! :drinker:

Fitn: I like your thoughts on the challenge for next month. The last two challenges have really gotten me to focus on the ST part of working out, and I am starting to see the results of that. Adding dedicated Yoga or some other type of mind/body/stretching is another piece that I really need to make room for. Count me in!

Wk 4 update:

Monday: 40 Min TJ Cardio Mix 2
Tuesday: 20 min TJ + 40 min T Sculpt
Wednesday: 40 Min TJ + 20 TJ Ab Jam

fitnfun1

Yay! You like the challenge suggestion! I think the mind/body element will be the last piece of the puzzle.

Today I did 30 min. of rowing and 30 min of ST with my kettlebell. Not bad, but didn't burn as many calories as I wanted. Tomorrow I will look for a bigger calorie burn.

Sherrill, you are doing so well. Your mixing it up is doing you wonders! Maybe we need to add interval training in since it seems to be working for you.

Gigi - hope you are still doing your things.
Mspix - You definitely like TJ as much as I do. I'm going to bring it next month with the kickboxing.

I'm finding I feel a little more energetic since I have been on my supplements consistently. I am taking a multi, a vitamin D, vitamin B complex, and Maca Root. I might add others if needed, but these have been my staples for the last week and I'm surprised at how much more energy I feel. I've also been drinking more Yerba Matte tea and occasionally have been taking green tea tablets/tea. I don't think I am losing the weight still, but maybe this is the first shift that needed to happen.

Keran24

I would like to join this challenge but can't possible fit in 60 minutes 6 days a week. Work 12 hour nights with a 2 hour commute. Only have time to sleep(barely) on the 3 days I work a week. Can do 60-90 minutes 3-4 days a week. Also can't do cardio 2 days out of the month due to girl issues. Hope I can still be a part of this. I am finding wt loss much harder in my 40s than previously.

mspix

Hi Keran, welcome aboard!


Managed to mish mash 60 minutes this morning with a 20 min Turbo, 30 minute Muffin Top Meltdown (LMAO!) and 10 minutes of moderate Yoga-ish stretching. I am warming up for the November challenge, lol.

fitnfun1

Hi Keran,

Welcome! Do what you can, and we understand that one-size does not fill all. It sounds like your schedule is really jam packed so whatever time you can devote to working out is to be commended!

I have the same issues with cardio during the month too. I tend to do yoga or strength training on those days. Our Novemeber Challenge sounds like it will be more up your alley.

Sherill - Awesome job! I love hearing when people break plateaus. I'm hoping mine is around the corner with these changes.

Mspix - Can you explain the Muffin Top Meltdown again? :laugh: I certainly could use some muffin meltdown. LOL!

For me, I had a bad two days due to my schedule. So, one day was my day off, and one day was a missed day. Today I did 20 min. kettlebell to start, and I will do some extra cardio later in the day. Maybe I will row tonight as well to make up for the missed day.

The good news is my fiance did the laundry for me, so I do have some extra time for working out! It's amazing when out of the blue he offers to do something. He said he was watching football most of the day anyway. I found out he actually folds a little better than me. Hahaha! Wish he would do the laundry more often. :bigsmile:

This week I am going to phase in the November challenge. I'll post my week plans soon. I seem to do better when I have a week planned in place. I can stray, but the planning does make it more solid. Maybe that is why I strayed a bit this week? No plan. :ohwell:

Have a great rest of your weekend, and good to see you all doing so well!
I too added some yoga this week to get ready for November's Challenge.

sherrillg

wk 4
Sat - 10mins - Jacob's Ladder 30mins - Wii Step; ST: 30mins weight machines
Sun - 30 mins - AMT; 3 hours - walking Seattle pushing stroller
Mon - ST: 30 mins - weight machines
Tue - 60 mins - jogging/fast walking intervals pushing double stroller
Wed - REST
Thur - ST: 30mins - weight machines; 15min-running, 60mins - walking, 8mins-hulahoop
Fri -ST: 30mins - weight machines; 27min - jogging/fast walking intervals, 25mins- stationary bike

Wk 5
Sat - 27min - jogging/fast walking intervals, 10mins - Jacobs Ladder
Sun - ST: 30mins - weight machines; 15mins - Jacobs Ladder, 15mins - AMT

Down 1 lb this past week. it feels GOOD to finally have movement!

guessgigi

Hi everyone!! So sorry I have not been posting. I have excuses but don't want to bore you with them. I've gotten a little off track this week but hope to have a much better November. I'm not going to lie, this is a real challenge for me to stay focused with life and all it's surprises and curve balls. Then I get the courage to log in and start reading your posts and suddenly I'm encouraged to try again. Thanks to you girls for this!! I promise not to be perfect, but I will do my best!! So proud of u girls too!!

mspix

So glad to see everyone reaching, or reaching for, their goals!

Sherril, congrats on the loss, so exciting when a plateau is broken! I finally had one of those, too

Gigi, keep striving toward your goal and you will eventually get there. For me, making an adjustment to a slower rate of weight loss really made the difference in how I viewed the overall journey.

Fitn, looking forward to the November challenge. I really appreciate that you do this, it has been very beneficial to me Thank you! The Muffin Top Meltdown is 3 10 minute workouts that incorporate squats, lunges, kettlebell, step. It is very basic, but very effective. I picked it up for $3 at WalMart. I have to modify it a bit as I don't have a step, but that doesn't stop the sweat, lol!

End cap:

Monday: 40 Min TJ Cardio Mix 2
Tuesday: 20 min TJ + 40 min T Sculpt
Wednesday: 40 Min TJ + 20 TJ Ab Jam
Thursday: 20 min TJ + 30 Circuit (muffin melt down)+ 10 minute stretching
Friday: 40 min TJ cardio 2 + 5 min hula hoop + 5 min stretching
Sat: 120 min major yard work, lots of bending/twisting/lifting
Sun: 90 min of more yard work

Mon: 40 min TJ

fitnfun1

Sherrill - Congratulations! That is so great! I too have had some success this week. I am back into my skinny current size jeans which I couldn't get into the last 2 weeks. I don't think the scale budged much, but I must have lost a few inches or something.

mspix - great end cap! Lots of fantastic TJ.

So, I messed up and put October in our topic. We can either move to a new thread so I can update without the month or simply stay here and invite others to join our "secret" club. Let me know so I can do whatever tomorrow.


**************************************************************************
The November Challenge is as follows - and do the best you can with what you have:

Kickboxing 2 days a week - 40 minutes with 20 minutes Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi
Aerobics 2 days a week (any kind) - 30 minutes with 30 minutes of Strength Training
Other activity 2 days a week - 40 minutes with 20 minutes of Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi
One day off
6 small meals

This is still 60 min/day with 2 days of ST but adding Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi (or something similar) into the mix.
*************************************************************************************************************************


Lastly - here is my week so far:

Sunday - 20 min Kettlebell
Monday - 20 min. bouncing/20 min. Kettlebell/20 min. rowing
November 1: Tuesday - 20 min. bouncing/20 min. Kettlebell/30 min. TJ/15 Yoga


Happy November!

fitnfun1

I have been reading a Tony Robbins book. It seemed to find me, the Ultimate Power. This is his first book. Anyway, there are some good things in here. For health, he talked about how many of us do not breathe enough, and we are tired due to not getting enough oxygen. He recommends this breathing regime:

3 x per day 10 cleansing breaths: Breathe in 2 counts, hold for 4 counts, and breathe out 6 counts. You can do whatever counts you like, but make sure you are holding twice as many and breathing out 3 times as many counts. So if only 1 count in, it would be 2 counts hold and 3 counts breathe out. I hope this makes sense. This breathing 10 sets 3 x a day is supposed to help you gain energy throughout the day.

Another thing he brought up is food combining. I may not be able to follow this to a tee, but he mentions that starches and proteins should not be combined. Our digestive systems can't handle it and it makes us feel sluggish and gassy. Fruits should be eaten mainly by themselves to for the same reason. He suggests combining protein and low carbs like veggies and then starches with veggies. I do recall that when I eat a simple meal of protein and veggies like chicken and green beans, I do feel the best. I have to see if brown rice is acceptable, but I see his point with regular flour pastas.

He goes as far as to promote being vegetarian. I'm not there yet. I also eat my yogurt with fruit which in his book is a no-no. He believes we get too much protein and animal proteins are tough for us to break down. Cows have special milk for cows and it is different than human milk, etc.

I think I need to take this with a grain of salt. He did confirm that the smaller meals are the way to go and to drink enough water to stay hydrated, but not to go overboard.

Anyway, it is interesting to see all the opinions out there. There are so many different suggestions. I believe it is best to find what is right for each of us since we are all unique individuals!

mspix

Fitn, congrats on the skinny jean success!

As far as staying here or starting a new thread, I am easy (though not cheap, as the hubby reminds me, lol), so whatever works for you and all is good for me!

Tony Robbins is an interesting person, I have read some of him many years ago. I agree with you that there are as many 'right' ways as there are individuals.

Wendy Ida is my latest interest. I tripped over her on Facebook, she just published a book specifically for women over 40 which I ordered from Amazon. I am looking forward to getting it!

Happy November, everyone, here is to a great month!

guessgigi

Hi Girls! Excited about November. I was able to wake up early this morning and get my Turbo Jam Cardio Party in 40 min. Wow this is only my 2nd time doing this workout at I love it. I thought it was going to be too hard but it was just right. I did low impact version but sweat I did. lol I need to get a pilates video tomorrow at Walmart or Target? Any suggestions?

FitNFun- I appreciate those tips from Tony Robbins. The breathing excersize sounds great, especially since I always seem to be tired. :yawn: I agree with all of what he mentioned and like you I'm not ready to become vegetarian just yet. One step at a time.

Mspix- Let me know how that book by Wendy is. I"m always interested in healthy tips especailly for over 40 girls. :happy:

Sherrill - I know breaking away from friends is hard but I'm sure you know your relationship with plateau was not healthy. lol Good job on moving on.

Have a good rest everyone!!

fitnfun1

Today will have to be my day off. I had so much work and a board meeting tonight so no workout. I will do a few minutes of yoga so I'm not doing nothing. It will be good to stretch after the tough workouts I have had already. Tomorrow I will start early!

Gigi - I didn't know you were doing TJ as well. Awesome! Cardio Party 1 is my fave!

mspix - I'll have to look at the website to see if I like Wendy. She seems pretty cool so far.

Sherrill - Keep at it! What you are doing is working!

I hope some of the new girls chime in too.

fitnfun1

By the way, I decided we might as well stay here, but I posted an invitation if anyone else wants to join us.

guessgigi

Hello Everyone! Good Job FitnFun on Yoga! Yes my first time using turbo jam was this past Monday and I was afraid it was going to be too hard and not fun. I have a hard time with Jillian Michaels I have a few of her DVDs and I feel like I really working so hard,:sad: but with Turbo Jam it's actually kind of fun, so I know I'll stick with it. :bigsmile:

How's everyone else today?

mspix

Gigi: I am glad you are enjoying TJ, it is the absolute best workout I have ever found! The fun factor is so important for me to stay engaged

Fitn: I have no doubt you will be right back at it tomorrow! Sometimes I have to remind myself that a day off won't undo everything.

Thank you for continuing the challenge, it really has helped me re-focus on the 'fitness' part of my journey.

I am waiting on a Yoga dvd that I ordered specifically for the November challenge I haven't done Yoga in years, really looking forward to getting back into it!


Would love to hear what others are doing!

So far this week:

Tuesday: 20 min TJ, 20 min Ab Jam, 20 min ST
Wednesday: 40 min TJ, 10 min Circuit, 10 min Stretching

fitnfun1

Yes! I am back at it! Today I did:

20 minutes of my mini-tramp, 30 min. of resistance band cardio, and 10 min. of yoga. Tomorrow I have to do TJ since I'm psyched to do my next kick-boxing day.

Gigi - Jillian is tough. I have a few of her DVD's. She does give an all over body workout. I'm going to add her in next week.
I'm so glad you like TJ. It is a fun workout. I find myself missing it if I take off for a while. You have to enjoy your workouts, otherwise you won't want to.

mspix - I'm glad this challenge is helping you too. 40+ is not easy, but it seems like we are figuring it out! If you don't want to wait for the DVD to start, I'm sure there are tons online.

Sherrill - I saw your post and it is amazing what is happening for you! If you missed it, she is fitting into a lower size! That is the best feeling.

Adding Yoga at the end of my day seems to balance everything out. Even just 10 min. helps me feel stretched, focused and centered. Breathing helps! :laugh: I have done my 3 rounds of the Tony Robbins breathing, and it does work.

Eating wise has been weird today. I did not eat so much, but feel okay. I ended up with a fairly healthy salad though. At least it wasn't a pig out day which I think would be worse.

I have a little over a week before I leave for the conference - next Saturday. I don't know if I can kick it up a notch or cheat a bit with protein shakes. I really want to make sure I am looking good! Any suggestions would be appreciated! :happy:

fitnfun1

Checking in to end the day. I did 10 min. of mini-tramp/20 min. TJ/33 min. of Pilates. I did my breathing work two times, so I can end the day with 10 breath cycles. My meals were not so good. I don't know why this is such a problem for me. I guess I get too involved with work. I probably need an alarm or something.

I hope you all had a great day and have a fantastic weekend!

mspix

Sounds like you had a good week I think an alarm might be a good idea, at least until you can create the habit of eating every three hours or so.

I had a fairly good week, didn't hit 60 minutes every day, but did get the ST in for 40 minutes! Yoga dvd arrived, along with a new dance dvd, I am really looking forward to blending the Yoga in to my schedule!

Week 1:
Monday: 40 min TJ
Tuesday: 20 min TJ, 20 min Ab Jam, 20 min ST
Wednesday: 40 min TJ, 10 min Circuit, 10 min Stretching
Thursday: 20 min TJ, 40 min Turbo Sculpt
Friday: 40 min TJ, 10 min Ab Jam
Saturday: 40 min TJ

fitnfun1

Week 1:

Sunday: 20 min. Kettlebell
Monday: 20 min. Kettlebell/20 min. rowing/20 min. Yoga
Tuesday: 30 min. TJ/ 20 min. mini-tramp/20 min. kettlebell/15 min. Yoga/8 min. stair climbing
Wednesday: 20 min. Yoga/5 min. stair climbing
Thursday: 20 min. mini-tramp/ 30 min. resistance band cardio/10 min. cleaning/10 min. Yoga
Friday: 10 min. mini-tramp/ 20 min. TJ/ 33 min. Pilates
Saturday: 15 min. walking/25 min. Yoga/ 20 min. rowing

Next week I will focus more on my eating. I found this book called Eat to Live by Joe Joel Fuhrman, M.D that I will be starting. I also found a Bollywood workout. This should be interesting! :laugh: I do love the joyous dancing so I hope the instruction is good. A friend of mine told me it is a great aerobic workout.

I still need to finish the Tony Robbins book before I get anything else. I did see that Kathy Smith is turning 60 soon. 60! She has the body of a 20 year old. Crazy.

One more week before the conference. I'm bringing it next week! :drinker:

mspix - I hope you enjoy your Yoga. The set that I was working with today took it a little fast for my taste, but it was a good workout.

sherrillg

wk 4
Wed - rest day
Thurs - ST: 30 mins weight machines; 60mins - walking, 15mins - running, 8 mins - HulaHoop
Fri - ST: 30 mins weight machines; 15 mins - walking, 12 mins - running, 25 mins - bike

wk 5
Sat - 12 mins - running, 15 mins - walking, 10 mins - jacob's ladder
Sun - 15 mins - AMT, ST: 30mins weight machines, 15 mins - jacob's ladder
Mon - 30 mins - AMT
Tue - 12 mins - running, 15 mins - walking
Wed - ST: 30 mins weight machines; 30mins - AMT
Thu - 15 mins - running, 7 mins - jacob's ladder
Fri - 60 mins - walking

wk 6
Sat - ST: 30mins weight machines; 10 mins - running, 15 mins - walking
Sun - 30 mins - AMT, 15 mins - running

Great week (or two)!! Bought a size 8 pair of capris!!! and then the scale kept dropping too! Happy me!

I'm headed to Japan on Thursday to visit my hubby for three weeks. This will be a test as I won't even attempt to track my food (since half the time I won't be able to pronounce what I'm eating let alone know anything about it's nutritional value!). I will try to keep my exercise up and there will be a LOT of walking as we will be sightseeing all over the place and going to Mt. Fuji.

When I return, I am scheduled for foot surgery. (I had my left foot done in January and the pain relief has been WONDERFUL) So that will put me out of commission for exercise for a few weeks! Any exercise suggestions for not using my foot?? Most of my ST will be fine. I've seen two machines at the Y (that I've never used). One is like a sit down "elliptical", feet and arms move but you are sitting. The other reminds me of a bike that you pedal with your arms??? Anyone know anything about these??? I know the staff will help me but I don't have time before I leave and I'm going to be pushed when I get back so I'd like to gather info beforehand!

Everyone keep up the wonderful work! And have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'll check in as often as possible!

fitnfun1

Hi Sherrill - I broke my foot last year, and I was not able to work out normally for about 9 months. The arm pedals work pretty well to get your heart rate up. I was able to do Pilates floor work, and I also did kettlebell from the floor. I have no idea about the sitting elliptical, but that might hurt your foot a bit. I still cannot do elliptical that well since it puts pressure on my foot in the area I broke it.
You can also do chair strength training.

Have a blast in Japan, and I hope the surgery goes smoothly too.

Today I felt a lack of energy, but I still did 15 min. of mini-tramp, 20 min. kettlebell and 33 min. of rowing machine. I found a Bollywood dvd that I will try tomorrow. Looks fun.

Monday I need to create a plan through Saturday as the last push week and then from Sat - Tuesday, I'm not sure I will have much opportunity to workout. I will have this be some time off since I haven't had time off for a while. I will work on my eating at this time. I think I will be eating lots of salads. I'm trying to eat more fruits, veggies and beans, which is the main message from Eat to Live.

People are getting sick due to not getting enough nutrients. There isn't enough nutrients in meat and green leafy veggies actually have protein. Spinach has more protein per calories than a glass of milk. The USDA uses a weight system that doesn't give the entire story and hides the fact that meat and dairy are not supplying as many nutrients as veggies and fruits. He recommends this pyramid instead:
http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/foodpyramid.aspx

Enjoy your extra hour today!

mspix

Sherrill: I hope you have such a wonderful time in Japan!!! Congrats on the size 8's I think your ideas and Fitn's are good for your recovery period, I hope that the surgery gives you the desired results!

Fitn: Great job on your week! I am rooting for you, I know you have specific goals in mind for your upcoming conference.


I had a somewhat rough weekend, calorie wise. This time of year is such a challenge for me, as the days get shorter/darker, I just want to curl up on my chair in my jammies with good books, and assorted yummies of the season. This challenge is going a long way toward helping me overcome myself, lol.

The fact that, not only was I able to put on and button up my 4 year old Levi 501's, but actually WEAR them all day yesterday is a *huge* motivation to keep moving! These jeans are the last ones in my possession that are pre-stretch jean (and I am referring to today's stretch, not the horrid stretch of our mom's closet! :noway: )

Started the week with good ol' TJ

Monday: 20 min TJ + 40 min Sculpt


Hope everyone has a great week!

mspix

Update:

Monday: 20 min TJ + 40 min Sculpt
Tuesday: 40 min TJ + 20 min Yoga (lower body )

The 20 minute yoga was amazing! It surprised me, how NOT limber I am! LOL! Really looking forward to working on this new challenge to the body, and the mind. The breathing is a real challenge, too.

guessgigi

Hi Everybody! This past weekend was a challenge for me too. Realizing how fast 1200 calories goes by and so I see the benefits of working out and eating some of your calories to maybe eat a little more and not gain the weight. That being said Monday I didn't workout but did a little house cleaning. Today I did TJ 43 min. Wed-Sunday will be another challenge because I will be driving my parents to visit family out of town. So I hope to log in daily but I'm sure it will be a challenge. As far as excersize I hope to be able to walk around hotel or use gym but I am going to take my TJ DVD and see if I can get in a work out now and then. High hopes but its worth a shot. Take care everyone if I don't talk to you sooner. :flowerforyou:

fitnfun1

Mspix - you are doing great. Awesome about the jeans too. That has got to feel good!

Gigi - Do what you can. Something is better than nothing. Enjoy the time with your folks too!

Well, today I started the newer diet, and I obviously didn't eat enough. I was snacking on fruits and veggies and eating light meals - yes, that is good. At the end of the day, I felt so sluggish. It's the feeling I get when I don't have enough calories.

I am so not used to snacking throughout the day and eat more fruits and veggies and it requires more eating, not less due to low calories. You get better nutrition eating this way, but you do have to eat more. Eat more? LOL! I never thought that would be a problem.

I was too exhausted today to do a normal workout. I managed 15 min. of bouncing and 20 min. of kettlebell.

I'm a little disappointed in the last few days. I hope I have the energy tomorrow to get in a great workout. I know I need it.

Have a good day tomorrow, and I'll check in during the evening.