2 week challenge
Replies
-
A run sounds AWESOME!! The sun came out SO full today....double-digit temps (above zero). So, *yes*, I'm dreaming of running....knowing I cannot partake.
Bummer.
chui, I think I finish up NROL4W at about mid-June. It's a lengthy program - which is fine with me because I don't want to spend one week of every month thinking, "what should I do next??"0 -
Thanks for the link to the running form video. I've been a competitive runner for years but seeing things like that video are still helpful. You all have inspired me to buy the New Rules of Lifting for Women. I lifted in high school and was pretty strong -- I benched 145 lb (20 lb more than me) -- so I still have a fairly strong core, but I haven't lifted in a gym in 10 years! I can still do 3 chin ups, but would like to get to 10. Heck, I would like to be able to do the 3rd one without feeling like my arms are going to break.
Kate? with the knees - yep, check your shoes. As mine wear out, I feel it first in my knees. Also, is running on pavement your only option? Are there trails somewhere or a high school track/soccer field you could run on instead?
Beeps, it sounds like some of your coworkers may be waiting for someone like you to start a true fitness challenge. Maybe you could form your own group and set your own goals/challenges and be held accountable to each other. A friend's office did a fitness challenge and had rewards as well -- I think gift cards to the 2 most disciplined or something like that. The gift cards were paid for by her company, but they were pretty small (as an argument to your boss or HR as to why "2 cards worth $25 each will improve employee morale and decrease sick days because healthier employees means a healthier bottom line" blah blah blah). The employees didn't know the value of the Amazon gift cards until the end of the 6 week challenge.
Still out of energy from being sick the last 2 days, but I must do something today b/c I've already scarfed down 2,000 kcal and haven't started dinner yet! Double sessions of 30DS, here I come!0 -
I'm not prepared to put in the time/effort to organize a fitness challenge here at the office. (There's 400 other employees who could do this.) So, while I was ready, willing and able to JOIN an at-work challenge (that somebody else, I thought, had organized), it doesn't mean enough to me to create this. I'll just have to continue to rely on mfp persons for support and accountability.
Speaking of accountability, I took photos today and did my measurements (except the scale - I'll do that when I go to the gym, today). I haven't looked at the photos, not that they matter, at this point, anyway. But, the measurements are weird - not as terrible as they could have been, but certainly zero improvement, frankly. So, yes, that holiday (and the post-holiday lag) *did* have a negative effect on my fitness regimen, FOR SURE. I gained in my boobs - which is crap, because they are smaller than ever. So, I ended up having a loser discussion with my husband - he says, I "should" gain across the boobs because my back is developing. I said, "but, if muscle takes up less space then fat, I should be reducing?!?" And he says, "but you don't have back fat....so, you are building the muscle, so it is increasing." Anyways, I don't pretend to understand every friggin thing. Let's just say the measurement across my boobs is bigger, but it would HAVE to be because of back growth, cause these ittty bitty titties haven't grown one ounce (or inch!).
My natural waist stayed the same. My belly button measurement increased by 3/4". Booooo.
My hips stayed the same!! Gosh, for me, this is a "win". I'd like to lose 1" off my hips in April, 1" in May and 1" in June. And then I'll feel good about that.
My upper leg stayed the same. Good enough. But, my mid-thigh increased. Booooo.
Gawd. It is SCARY how ON-TRACK I have to stay in order to see even small changes. But, this is the plan I signed up for, so I shall soldier on.0 -
I can see how muscle would add to your measurements if you didn't have any fat in that area, Beeps, that makes sense.
I was feeling good lifting last night, I actually found this link to a "starting strength" calculator, you put in your max lifts and it creates the 24 workouts (I am set for 8 weeks!) for you-how much to lift and how many sets and reps, pretty cool if anyone wants to see:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmWyzQPqnP1wcGxsU1FwNlpITmFBcUZGcHBESXVfSkE&hl=en#gid=0
does that work for anyone?
You know, I love to be told what to do
It is having the weights go up 5lbs every time, though, so I am not sure that is going to happen but I can try.0 -
Amy, that's a great link to the "starting strength" calculator! I need to develop a more formal plan to weight lifting, so this is very helpful.
Reese, you might want to see a doctor or sports therapist about your knee before the pain gets worse. I had some bad knee issues a few years ago and it sidelined me from running for a few months, which really sucked. For me, the problem was that my quads were too weak, so they weren't pulling their weight and my knees had to pick up the slack. The doctor recommended that I wear a pateller strap (this is the one I use http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tec-Athletics-Patellar-Tendon-Strap/dp/B004AOGA56) and do exercises that strengthen my quads. I stopped running for a few months (I cross trained with the bike and elliptical instead), did the exercises for my quads, and then eased back into running while wearing the straps, and haven't had a problem since. However, if your knee problems are caused by something else, this solutions might not work for you. And if you haven't already, definitely go to a running store and get fitted for shoes, wearing the wrong shoes for your stride could cause or exacerbate the problem.0 -
Thanks all for the thoughts on the knees. I've been off running for a few days now thanks to the weather and broken treadmill. Knees are fine through other workouts so I'll definitely look into some of the suggestions. I appreciate it.
Amy- Great resource! I bookmarked it so I could refer back to it during the summer! I have some time to decide what path I want to take once I get back in the gym, so I'm compiling a nice resource list (thanks to the NTHG!!)
Beeps-Measurements are quote "a good tool" but sometimes I find them just as confusing and fluctuating as the scale. I can see why DH is saying what he's saying..it makes sense. I can't imagine it's anything other than muscle especially in that area. As good/bad as it is, one of the first places on my body to respond to strength training is my shoulders and back. Now being a girl, I'd prefer it was my butt and thighs...but I didn't get to make that choice!!
Solar-Impressive stats on those lifts!! Thanks for the tip too. Lots to consider!
I am actually having some 'me time' this weekend that boils down to shopping out of town with my mom and sister. So there will be eating out. Pretty confident though that after feeling some progress that I can carry that good eats mentality through the weekend and avoid too much damage. (hopefully I won't have to negate that statement on Monday!!) Still have an evening workout to get in and then Saturdays...and then I'll be basking in the glory of my rest day. I look forward to it. :laugh: I've been trying to add something in since runs aren't happening. Last night it was a HIIT, night before a more cardio DVD. If the treadmills aren't fixed next week or the weather doesn't change, I am planning on going to the gym anyways to try the elliptical or other machine to at least work on the endurance part of running.
As for the challenge, my challenge Monday was to pre-log main meals. That's been going well, and has made eating simpler. I cooked up extra dinner last night to carry over for tonight. It was intended to be my lunch but I forgot it and had to go with what was in the freezer. But I have it to look forward to tonight! I bumped my calories back down just a bit to 1450 from 1500 with eating back exercise calories (bless you Polar HRM for returning to me!) and this week I've really felt good so I'm sticking with that for a bit to see where it leads me. Scales been pleased. I'm pleased. Continuing on!!0 -
Okay girls...one more thought. I threw this out to one of my MFP friends and thought I should throw it out there. I realize some of you don't have kids so it might be hard for me to explain but here goes...
I had this thought though today looking in the mirror. And this may be getting a little TMI so forgive me. But I always HATE my stomach. I get so frustrated with it. I was looking at it today and realized. The issue is really my belly button. Granted there's still a little layer of fat there. But my belly button stretched so much during pregnancy that it gives this terrible look to my stomach. I had a belly button ring when I got pregnant with my first, I'm not sure if that's what did it. And I'm not sure there's anything that can be done about it at all. I don't think you can shrink your belly button. As silly as it sounds, when I covered my enormous belly button up. My stomach looks decent and I can see the progress. But when I just glance in the mirror, my eyes automatically go to that belly button and that's all I can see. So I'm not sure I'll ever be bikini girl again even if I get to 145 but I sure can be short short girl. l:laugh: Any one heard of this? Lost cause? Not saying this sways my goals or anything, I was just pleasantly surprised but also irritated that this is an issue.0 -
I think the belly button can get sort of herniated with pregnancy but I think they can fix it, although what you really need is to fix your mind set, huh? All we see is our flaws when we look in the mirror, and once we hone in on something we can just never be convinced otherwise. Maybe Jen can weigh in, she did a mommy tuck-did they do anything to the belly button?
I saw an explanation of the surgery once, they really creted a whole new belly-button:
http://www.realself.com/Tummy-Tuck/before-and-after-photos
But, you can save some money and wear a tankini, or a monokini 0 -
Agreed Amy. Now that I recognize what it is about this 'problem area' that bothers me so much I can work on mentally adjusting my expectations for that part of my body. I just wondered if this is a common issue, an unfixable issue or if it is what it is. I hope it didn't come across as super negative. In actuality, I was impressed that I could note that progress once I looked beyond that post-pregnancy stumbling block.0
-
Hmmmm, nope, I haven't heard of that particular "belly button" issue, mama....sorry that I cannot be of more help!0
-
PS - since I already did my weigh-in and measurements, and since I closed a pretty big deal at work, today....I am currently gobbling down chocolate-covered almonds!!0
-
It looks like I am not the only one who has experienced the constant workplace food temptations. Yesterday there were cake, dunkin donuts & pizza sitting on the table in the breakroom when I got there. Yikes! I must confess I ate half a maple frosted doughnut and a slice of veggie pizza. It was mid-afternoon and I was starving. I made up for it with a light dinner followed by a brutal 90 minute ballet class. It doesn't look like we are working hard since we are standing next to a bar barely moving, but we are all dripping in sweat and huffing & puffing. The window in the classroom gets completely steamed up - you can't even see through it. I love it!0
-
Hi Ladies. I have been such a bad support lately. With extra hours plus stress at work and the hubby telling me I spend too much time on MFP, I took a slight break! Gonna try to catch up before he wakes up, lol!!
Beeps - Don't even get me started on your corporate challenge! I am so mad for you. I have friends on FB and people talking to me about Body by Vi all the time!! Not even gonna go there, lol!!
Measurements can fluctuate so much based on water retention, slight difference in where you are measuring, etc. It is a great tool but always take with a grain of salt. Honestly, just need to keep the overall picture in mind. I went on my vaca before you did and finally as of this Thurs, I just slightly surpassed my stats from Mexico, so just give it time. You are doing great...I will prob repeat this more than once - progress not perfection
Just keep as you say, soldiering on!
Amy - I took a look at that program and some of those weights look HEAVY and it says its for a novice lifter?!?! Let me compare:
SS Squat = 100 lbs I squat between 115-135, SS Bench Press = 100, I press 95 and that was 1x4, SS Deadlift = 100 (this is doable) I DL 155, SS = Press 100, I do 75, SS Power Clean = 100, I think I've done 75. But then again, I'm kind of little, so maybe I'm totally off But I'm like you. I like things laid out so I know what to do. Those are GREAT exercises to perform though. My workouts typically have some variation of all of those every workout :happy:
Solar - those are definitely impressive strength stats!! Congrats! :drinker:
Reese - I am sorry to hear about the knee. Def look into shoes and inserts of needed. I also take Glucosamine for my joints. Has made a world of difference. I was having issues with my knees when lifting and they went away. Also, when I started running, my knees hurt initially, but it went away. One tip I can offer, some women tend to have weak knees because they focus workouts on their quads and forget their hamstrings, so there is an imbalance and more stress is placed on the knee. Maybe try to incorporate some hamstring exercises to see if that helps. As for the belly button thing. Before my mini tummy tuck, my focus always went to my "pooch". Now that the pooch is gone, guess where my focus goes to?!?! You got it, my belly button and I didn't even have a belly ring :ohwell: It can be surgically fixed I'm sure. My surgeon said my belly button would point down slightly, but when I look at it, I actually think he could have removed more skin, but it's too late for that now. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations. If I get a chance, I'll upload a pic and you guys can see what I mean about my belly button.
I got measured Thurs and it went well. My forearms and biceps went up, hips, thighs and waist went down, and here is the interesting thing. My weight was up .4 from Mexico (109.6 vs 109.2) but fat % was down .2 (19.6 vs 19.8 which is down from 2 weeks ago 21.8) So my trainer's explanation is that my muscles are getting bigger :bigsmile: hahaha!! we"ll see. I just think it's crazy that it has taken me all of Feb and March to get where I was because I was so inconsistent :grumble: But then what I do, I totally gorge on carbs the rest of Thurs and completely fell off yesterday. Needless to say, I am back on today!
Have a great weekend ladies!!0 -
Let's see if this works...this was Monday...sorry bout the cleavage, gotta love my Zumba bras
0 -
I resized the pic and now I'm not sure you can see what I was referring to with my belly button :ohwell:0
-
Yeah, Jen, but you are supposed to enter your max weight and it does the calculations for you. The default is just 100 on everything.
Sunday- time to get ready for the week!0 -
Well weekend wasnt as on par as the week but I stayed within calorie target even after making an 'eh' lunch decision while STARVING. LoL. It's an imporovement on just eating because I"m bored on the weekend. I spent all afternoon prepping meals for myself and for my husband. There was a lot of protein being fixed. LoL. Egg muffins and chix with asparagus for me. Chix, rice, and broccoli for his lunches. Plus just our regular Sunday meals and brownies for hte kids. It was a busy kitchen day.
My mom is really trying to get back on track with eating. I'm going to pull the reigns in with her to see if together we can't knock out some goals. She did AMAZING with weight watchers with my Dad a couple years ago. I'm glad to help in any way I can so if my tightening things back up for myself and it helps us both. More power to us.
So my goals for this week (keeping my last 2 week of pre logging and sticking with the workout program) I'm adding to get my runs in, even if it means being creative with the broken treadmill. My DH hnaded me down some underarmor run gear that I can use to run outdoors. So time to suck it up and push forward. I'm aldo gutting back carbs for the next 2 weeks. I've been to lax on this, been so focused on protein that I haven't paid attention to how high I've been letting this get. So that's where I"m heading! Already prelogged tomorrow. :-) Have a great Sunday night!0 -
Hey Ladies!
I hope everyone had a good weekend...ROCK CHALK! I spent most of it first pretending I wasn't sick then miserably accepting I was . Sinuses, yuck. I am staying home from work today and about to head to the doctor for antibiotics. My mom had the same thing last week didn't rest enough and now she has pneumonia! so I would like to avoid this little issue. My eating wasn't great but bf insisted I not worry about macros/cals when sick so I ate what I was hungry for. Back on the train today.
I don't think this would should throw off training for much, thankfully. Each stage has two bonus workouts where you go back to the weights you started with and that's all I have left for my second stage. I figure I can definitely get those in at some point this week then next week will my rest week...perfect since I will be going to Austin for a mini adult spring break with my college besties. Then onto to stage 3 three in April.
Okay, off to the doctor! Keep it up ladies!0 -
Good morning everyone
Reese- great 2 week goals!
Chuisle- hope you feel better!
I had an ok weekend, Saturday night was not great, but kept on track the rest of the weekend. I've attempted upping my cals from 1270 to 1425, although I logged everything I am going to eat today and I still haven't even hit 1200. I really don't think I can eat anymore than what I have planned. So we will see how this goes. So I guess that's my 2 week challenge 0 -
I was off-track all weekend....I'm not going to bother to write down any "excuses"....I just was. It all started with having to miss my Friday work-out and it just sort of went on a wild ride from there.
I didn't late-night snack Fri or Sun, so there's SOME good news there - and I "had" given myself permission to late-night snack on Saturday night because we were at a "games' night" with a whole bunch of my husband's work colleagues....so, yep, I LNS ALL OVER THE PLACE Saturday night.
Anyway, my 2 week challenge is to eliminate the LNS - which I think is do-able this week - and maybe I'll give myself a "permission LNS" sometime next week. And, of course, to eliminate bad snacking at work. I was pretty successful last week (Friday being the exception) - and I feel pretty revved up to GET 'ER DONE this week.
I also finish up Stage 3 of NROL4W this week - so it's onto Stage 4 next week. I am booked in with personal trainer next Mon and Wed to walk me through the 4A and 4B work-out.
EXCITED!!0 -
Oh, and I think I posted this somewhere, but unsure....I *did* post all my photos/measurements/stats to the 2 x fitness challenges I am in. I did this on Saturday. So, my 3-month challenge is DONE. My 6-month challenge is mid-way.
Nothing too good about the measurements and, as you know, I don't even bother looking at the photos because I just end up crying. But, as I was posting up my photos, I thought I "saw" something....so, I took a GOOD look. And???
While it *isn't* showing up in my measurements, there is a DEFINITE reduction in my bum/saddlebags form. As in I NOTICED IT - and I am HYPER-CRITICAL about this area of my body. So, I showed the pics to my husband and he said, "I TOLD you there was a difference THERE...."
Wow, huh?? I guess all those squats and lunges are FINALLY showing some of their stuff on my photos!! Let's just say the next 3 months are gonna be my GLORY months.....I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited, it wasn't even funny. 0 -
Is it time for new 2 week goals? I am going to keep with my starting strength program-lifting 3 times per week. Keeping up calories and protein and less drinking.
My weekend was ok. Saturday, though, I ate a ton of food, I can't even begin to explain it, I stopped logging after dinner, I was at 2000 cals before ice cream, then drinks, then late night at Taco Bell.
Reese, with Weight Watchers, did your mom gain the weight back? I just think it might not be very sustainable for her long term, but some of the principles and recipes are good.
Kate, glad you can rest and not feel like you are falling behind, that is always nice and I agree you just need to rest and let your immune system devote itself to you making you well-and feed it as best you;)
ChLoe, I am sure you can add some nuts or a greek yogurt to get your cals up a little bit? I have to say, I am not having a problem eating more, but it is scary.0 -
Weight watchers is what she used years back. She isn't any more. We are just working on simple things. I don't get overly involved so that I don't come across as putting my nose in where it shouldn't be. Just make simple suggestions and offer recipes. Talk about what I've tried, etc. She's just working on incorporating those better foods that she was eating while on Weight watchers. But to be honest, even if she decided to go back to WW, I'd support her because it might not be the best long term solution but it is a step in the direction of doing something. And that group atmosphere is something that she enjoys. While I prefer the anonymousness of MFP world. :laugh: :laugh: To each his own I suppose.
Beeps- SO GLAD YOU SEE YOUR PROGRESS!! That's awesome. So rewarding when you can finally say 'ah ha! there is improvements' Great job!!!
Kate- Sorry that you aren't feeling 100%. Very smart of you to just get in to the Doc now and not wait. There is some nasty, long lasting bugs around this season it seems! I do hope you feel better soon.
Chloe- Just listen to your body, I peeked at your diary...looks like yummy, healthy food...those clean foods don't always make eating at a higher cal level easy! If your full, your full...maybe after P90x tonight you'll be ready for something more though!0 -
Beeps, sorry I missed your posts, so you did post pics? Here on MFP? I wanna see! Glad you are seeing improvement, that is great.0
-
omg, nope, I have NOT posted pics here at mfp....not ready for THAT, yet. But, I did post them on the forum that I'm doing the challenges with.
Maybe after 12-months of weight-training I will be brave enough to show off something....but, I don't even know about that. I kind of feel like weight-training is a VERY. LONG. TERM. THING. So, my beliefs that I can do it in 6 months aren't very realistic (given that I am not eating super clean 100% of the time and my weights aren't increasing as heavily as they were in the first little while).
Some people can do it, for sure - because they are putting the necessary time and effort into the pursuit. I'm into it for 60 minutes a day and for 1,800 calories a day. And that's it.....likely not enough of a "super-star" performance to get my body into tip-top shape very quickly, lol.
But, I love it....I really do feel STRONGER than I did 3 months ago and I really do think my body is telling me that it *is* being re-shaped.....how-so-ever slowly!0 -
oh, ok, well, I think you have a very healthy realistic attitude that I could stand to take a lesson... I really thought 12 weeks would show improvement. 60 minutes a day and 1800 cals is great! certainly not nothing.
I saw another thread of a "skinny fat" that did strength training for a few weeks-at home-and had noticeable results, lemme go find that thread...0 -
-
Well, and bluefever did her transformation in 12 weeks, and AScheif's is about 16 weeks, I think....but, those ladies had EXTREME eating habits. (Well, "EXTREME" being relative, but, I highly doubt they had alcohol, chocolate-covered almonds, Dad's goodie rings, cheezies, Stacy's pita chips, hickory sticks, etc....and that list are ALL things I have eaten at some point in the last 30 days....)
That's kind of why I budgeted that what they did in one week might take me one month....so, a 12-week transformation for a SUPER-charged person is going to = a 12-month transformation for a SEMI-charged person (like myself!).
Amy, I'm going to go and read that thread, now....thank you!!!0 -
Thanks for the well wishes all! I am feeling better. still not great so I taking one more day at home, especially with exposure to pneumonia I don't want to take any risks! Waking up this morning I felt okay and decided to go a little while without meds to see how I really feel - not great. So back onto the meds for me!
Anyways - on the progress. Beeps I think you have the right idea. I'm on board with that for sure - it works for me mentally and physically. There's an idea in economics called "diminishing returns" that I think applies here. Namely, in all productive activities, adding additional inputs (think eating better, lifting, etc) while holding other factors constant, will at some point yield lower per-unit returns. Our bodies hold most things constant for me (our metabolic rates, our genetic disposition, etc) so we can change diet and exercise. When we first change these things, we generally see great jumps, but those jumps tend to decline as we continue and depending on our fitness. This graph is a good explanation (sort of big - my first time posted a picture here!)
We are all pretty along on that x-axis - no quick returns for us unless inputs are changed to an extreme 0 -
Great visual. I'm terrible with economics (absolute truth!) but I can completely understand your point with the visual. After that initial jump start when getting back into this that causes the shock and initial loss, everything there on after is slow and steady unless we make extreme adjustments. I am fascinated by bluefever's results. Completed speechless, just as I am with Ashceifs. I am with Beeps though. At this point, I am ready and able to make X & Y adjustments, move along make a few more tweaks and keep holding steady at healthy and comfortable (for lack of a better adjectives). There are days that I say to myself- just go full bore-but then I realize what that means and the time that it requires. I will hold a huge 'BRAVO' & 'Congrats' to those that do it. I think it's magnificent. It's just for me at this point, 'no inputs are being changed to an extreme'. And I think that's why the support from the board and MFP in general is so particularly effective because even though there aren't those giant leaps/gains...that 'you are doing well' or 'what about this..' suggestions help us to continue to move along in our pursuits. Both are excellent approaches, we just all have different goals!!
On another ntoe, I'm looking to cut carbs (as mentioned in my 2 week challenge post) for the next two weeks. Then slowly add small amounts of the good kinds back (my beloved quinoa) to see how my body adjusts and at what level of carbs my body stops appreciating the good carbs. (holy runon sentence Batman!) I'm coming to the conclusion that this carb issue (not a complete dismissal of all but a better level for my own body) and the darn Diet soda are what are my limiting factors right now. I may be wrong, but I am going to play with this for a bit to see whether this theory of mine is correct. I looked back at a post I made to Steve Troutman on another board and my weight is only 1lb less and that post was July. I took measurements to see where this experiment takes me and I need to compare them to my December Turbo Fire initial measurements to see if there was progress with that. With my head back on and in a better place, I can take a realistic look at where I'm at without feeling the need to beat myself up. Hey...I've had 2 kids, gained way too much weight, lost if all and now I"m just trying to get down to a 'what I want' weight. Regardless, I'm a whole heck of a lot more healthy and active than I was two years ago. My attempts may not be extreme but I feel pretty darn good about all of that ! End ramble. 0
This discussion has been closed.