2 week challenge
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Hi Everyone,
I am new to the group and ready to get back into a more fit lifestyle. I guess you could say I used to be a hard core athlete; but, lately all I seem to be focused on are Starbucks coffee and those pink birthday cake pops...sad, I know.
My two week challenge goals:
1. Log - I have never been a good logger or journal person. I know that we maintain what we measure- but I struggle with being lazy with these type of details. So, this one is going to be a lot harder than any other goal I would set.
2. Workout - 4 times this week. Specifically, I want to get back on the bike again at least once each week.
3. Stay in calorie limit. This will be hard because it is a big birthday week for me. My birthday, my son's and my mom's is all within a single week- so cake will surround me everywhere! I have a friend that does these crazy workouts on the day he knows he is going to splurge. Essentially, the basis of his mileage running is on his food intake plans. So, for my birthday...I will likely need to run for a few hours! Let's hope I have more self control than needing to do that...but, we shall see.0 -
Hello,
I too am new, and more motivated than ever to get into the shape I've never been in! I haven't really ever been severely over weight but I've never been fit and I can't wait till the day I can say I am!
So as for my two week goals:
1. No more slips ups! I've been down this road many times and one cheat day turns into an all out food frenzy! So I hope to go the next two weeks without exceeding my food goals (excluding today of course).
2Log everything! even if I do have a slip up I intend to log everything! Sometimes I don't always log every little crumb but I'm only fooling myself in the end.
3.No more skipped days! I'm currently doing 30day shred and I've skipped two days so far so for the next two weeks I plan to do the work out consecutively.
4Stop talking about it and be about it! I'm always saying how I want to do this or I'm going to try that and I never follow up so for the next two weeks and hopefully from now on I plan to, actually follow through with the goals or things I plan.
Well these are my two weeks goals, I look forward to getting to know you all
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Welcome to the new girls!
And yah, beeps, for getting to say "I told you so";)
Reese, you don't have girlfriends who drink and booze? Never? Or did you move away from them?
Maybe if I move away I can have the body I want
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Welcome new peeps!
Reese, I know I'll find my groove. Thanks for reminding me. I tend to get hard on myself and get irritated when things don't fall exactly into place.
Amy, I hear ya! Eric and I have friends over probably on a weekly basis and go out to dinner 2-3 times a week. We live in a place where we walk everywhere so possibilities are endless. And the kiddo hasn't slowed us down as she loves to go out. Oh well....I always say I'll take the couple extra pounds in exchange for a life where I enjoy food, wine and friends.
Beeps, hope your daughter gets well soon!
So my workout last night ended up being a 25 minute HIIT session. My trainer friend recommended:
Squat Jumps
Pushups (I did girl style)
Lunges
Mountain Climbers
Burpees
30 seconds of each with 30 second rest between, 5 times. I felt like Jello all night and am sore in lots of places today. And I burned almost as many calories as if I were running (no stroller). So I wanted to ask you all if a HRM is accurate with HIIT? I know it may not be with lifting. Anyways, regardless, I felt like I got a really good total body workout, in my home, with my kiddo watching me and cooing in the mirror which was pretty darn cute. She seemed pretty interested in what I was doing untill I do my 100 crunches. So it's good to know that is a short, effective routine I can do even when she is awake.
I also put all my workout goals (in fun colored markers and fancy fonts) on my dry erase board in the kitchen. I put down 2 HIIT sessions, 2 strength sessions, 4 mile + run, and 2 other days of cardio which could simply be walking with the baby or a shorter run. I can do this.
Alright, better start working. I'm off the next 2 days and need to wrap some things up. Enjoy your days!0 -
I hate to come in here and complain.....but I feel like a big bloated mess!!! I am up like 4 lbs this morning and I can feel it. I know its due to TOM, but blahhh!!! Also I have to go to this stupid seminar today so I have to eat what they give us for lunch and I would rather just eat my healthy food and stay at my desk . Alright enough venting.
Today is a cardio day, so I will either be running or doing some kind of cross training, I feel like I need to switch it up a bit today. Weather looks good here for this weekend so far, so I have a lot of outdoor projects planned around my house, which is always a great calorie burner!
I'm with ya ladies on the social life and drinking....they are what gets me every time!0 -
Welcome to the new peeps. Glad to have some new ladies with great new goals. :flowerforyou:
Chloe- I can relate. With the increase in calories, I'm up quite a bit. Down 1lb from the 5.6 I was up over the last 2 weeks but, like I said last week, I just 'feel heavier'. That's an odd way to describe it but even though everything fits fine, I just feel different. You've got yourself some room with your seminar lunch and preplanning. It should be fine. Maybe try to up the water intake just in case there's extra sodium compared to your normal day.
Ashley- One more site I thought of that I know we've mentioned on here before but that I find great as a Mom with two kids running around and not always a lot of time to work out is..bodyrock.tv or youtube search: ZWOW. Those workouts are interval type body weight workouts that are like 12 minutes a piece. Great scorchers for the amount of time they take. I use DH's Ipod as a timer and go to town!
Beeps- Man, I sure hope your little one starts feeling better soon. DH suffers from cyclic insomnia. He goes months being absolutely fine and then BAM he's not sleeping for weeks sometimes months on end. He ALWAYS ends up coming down with something on top of it (that's what happened this weekend). And it takes him a while to bounce back. He's always been leery about taking meds for it because it comes and goes. But I know it can be hard on an adult let alone a little one!
Amy- All my high school gal pals live lightyears away and same with college peeps. I'm the only one who ended up staying in the town that we went to college in. The ladies I work with our wonderful but there's only about 3 girls the same age as I am and we all have little ones. Plus, it's hard to go out on the town being in social work in a rural setting...can't blend into the crowd very well if I want to have a little fun. I think I boozed myself out of social drinking in college anyhow! LoL.
Completed Stage 1 workout b session 4 today. Have to print new worksheets as they seem to go in 4 workout set ups. Feel like I'm finally getting the deadlifts down after my session with DH. Definitely felt it more in my hamstrings today. My meals for this week are pretty good...very similar since I made huge batches of things for grabbing and going. Continuing on with the challenge to eat at the 1750 (which I used my HRM to track calories burned during a workout and it was about 250 so it's not that far from where I was with eating back exercise calories at 1540). I've considered both upping and lowering it after a couple more weeks. Not sure were I'll go with it. Need to do some more research and have DH take measurements. I don't expect a loss but as long as there's not any real increase than at least I know the increase isn't killing any previous progress.0 -
Chloe - So far all my clients have come through word of mouth, but i have looked into networkgin groups for getting referrals. A good resoure for this is bni.com.
Mama & Beeps - hope your little ones get better soon. It's so hard to see them sick or in pain.
Ashley - We all overindulge sometimes, it's good that you are getting back on track. Good luck as you try different workouts. It takes time and there is a lot of information to weed through out there, but I see you are getting some good advice from this group
Beeps - best wishes with the diet and cutting the fat. I always hate to admit how important diet is for that. I love to excercise and I am really committed to my routine, but I also love to eat and lack self-control in that aspect.
As far as magazines go I subscribe to Muscle & Fitness Hers which is geared specifically towards bodybuilding. It features figure & bikini competitors. I picked up a coy of Oxygen the other day and I think it will be a better fit for me & my goals.0 -
I'll join with all of you who feel heavy. I refuse to get on the scale, and I wore a wrap dress today-very forgiving.
Ashley, I think HRM is accurate for HIIT. The idea is that you are burning more calories at rest because you are getting your heart rate up, I think you're supposed to be 80% of max. That sounds like a killer workout!
Reese, I wish I knew if I was doing deadlifts right, or anything. Maybe someday I will record myself and share online and see what kind of feedback I get.0 -
Amy - can you get a gym employee to watch your deadlift form - and give you pointers?? Otherwise, a session or 2 with a personal trainer will help you understand whether or not you have any form issues - because maybe you don't!!
abigail - diets just aren't any fun. Period. Mind you, if I'm doing this for 8 weeks, perhaps it will feel *less* like a diet and *more* like a "lifestyle change". Who knows?? For now, it's day 2 and that's about all I have to say about that. I had a headache last night (must be carb-induction-flu).
mama - I'm pretty sure you're going to have reduced inches after completing Stage 1 - I'd be shocked if you don't. You're doing all the right things and I'd bet you'll see some losses. yay!
Chloe - I saw your "plan" for attacking the seminar food - I think you'll do just fine. Good for you!
Better Balance - I think it's awesome you have figured out a way to work-out even with your baby in the room....this was something I *never* mastered. I always had to go to the gym to separate out my fitness from my family. (I still do, lol.)
To the newbies - welcome!! And, these 2-week challenges are SUPER because, heck, you can do ANYTHING for 2 weeks, right??0 -
Today I have a lunch engagement, so I won't get a work-out in at lunch-time. My plan is to just have a salad option for my lunch. And, then I'm going to bang out a fast walk this evening - it's supposed to be 24 degrees out, today (finally!) - and it will feel GREAT to get outside.
I'm wearing strappy sandals, today, red, and I feel sexy and, heck, SUMMER-y. Dress season is upon us (although I'm in capris, today...) and I look good in a dress. So, bring it on, baby!!
PS - I made it through day 1 of my diet plan. I did have a headache, which I'm sure is (bad) carb withdrawal. And, I did have to battle the "hunger" monster, but not too badly. We shall see what today brings. If nothing else, I am *mentally* prepared for this challenge - and I can conquer "physical" if my "mental" is STRONG.0 -
Ashley- One more site I thought of that I know we've mentioned on here before but that I find great as a Mom with two kids running around and not always a lot of time to work out is..bodyrock.tv or youtube search: ZWOW. Those workouts are interval type body weight workouts that are like 12 minutes a piece. Great scorchers for the amount of time they take. I use DH's Ipod as a timer and go to town!
I forgot about that website. Thanks! I don't know if I can do 50 on and 10 off, but we'll see. At least I can use some of her moves. That chick is nuts!0 -
Beeps, I have been doing my lifting at the little gym here at work, it is "unattended" just card key entry so no one to check my form. If I ever saw someone doing something like I am doing I would ask them. There was a girl much stronger than me doing deadlifts but I did not think her form looked very good!
I haven't been back to 24h fitness, I am sure they had a squat rack, and I am sure I could pay someone but I just don't know how to find a trainer who knows what they are doing, I have so little faith in their expertise!
that sounds kind of snobby but I just think there is a lot of misinformation out there. I don't know how many people are doing squats and deadlifts and if they are doing them right...0 -
Hi Ladies - lots going on!
Amy - I agree with you...I am highly suspicious of trainers! I am sure you could find someone but you're right to be careful. I see people telling people to dumb stuff all the time in my gym (not to mention a lot of them are chubbier than me!). Perhaps set up video so you can check yourself and maybe even post it somewhere to get feed back.
Beeps - good job on the diet. You'll get used to it in no time! When I think about when I was eating much less (first started MFP) I don't remember being very hungry except for in the beginning. Even now that I am used to 5 meals I get hungry in between meals where I didn't before etc. Your body will adapt and it will get easier. And woo hoo on the heels
Welcome Timetotri and Projecttae! Make sure you read the resources part of the board!!!! You'll understand more what we're talking about it and the exercise/diet philosophies we embrace generally (you'll see we tend to different things but not THAT different).
Reese - nice job on the work outs! Stage 1 is long - much longer than the others but its great for really building some strength going forward.
Ashley - I *think* heart rate monitors are okay for HIIT but that its not as accurate as it would be for a steady run. I basically just assume with all exercise (weights, HIIT, steady state) that HRM is over over about about 30% and just subtract that. I feel comfortable counting the remaining 70%.0 -
Well, Amy, if you're REALLY brave, you can videotape yourself doing the deadlifts and then post here for commentary. Over on JP Fitness Forum (where I'm doing my fitness challenges!), lots of people post their videos, for commentary. You could do that, too - you'd be a little more "anonymous" over there, I expect.
chui - I sure don't want to stay in "cut" phase very long. Even 8 weeks, right now, seems like FOREVER. But, when it's done, I hope that IT IS DONE. As in, I don't have to worry about scale weight, anymore, and can just concentrate on lifting heavy and proper form.
I guess I'd better NOT fall off the wagon, EVER, in the next 8 weeks, or I'll just prolong the agony....ugh. I really do NOT like "dieting". At all.0 -
Kate- you really think HRMs are off by 30% I use it mostly for running and even intervals and I kind of go by the 100 cals per mile idea and it is usually spot on a little more or less depending on intensity.
Beeps- LOVING the warmer weather as well I think I naturally lose a few pounds when it gets warm mainly bc of decreased appetite and increased energy AND Im sure you look HOTT is your red heals
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Chloe - not necessarily...I think I am overcompensating and since a lot of my work outs involve weights that exacerbates the problem for me. I figure between that and the universal tendency to underestimate food it ends up about right.
Beeps - I feel like I have been cutting FOREVER. But not always consistently...therein lies the problems. *sigh* I think you have the right attitude though, definitely. How many cals are you cutting to?
Work breakfast then work lunch tomorrow followed by (hopefully) a work out and then a 4 hour drive to BIG OMAHA (its like TED if TED were only about innovation/entrepreneurship). I am really pumped but have to hand over control of my food choices over the next several days. I just need to log and make good ones, and keep the booze at the nightly parties to a minimum!0 -
Ugggh I am having such a blah week. It is supposed to be TOM, but I haven't gotten it yet....not concerned though I am on BC. But, I seriously feel like a cow I am up 4 lbs which I am sure is water weight. I am just trying to stay focused and keep eating well and getting my workouts in, but these are the times I usually just say screw it and eat whatever I want and be lazy. Sorry about the rant.
Anyways how is everyone else's week going? I need some positivity from my fav ladies :happy:
I've got my healthy meals and workouts planned through Friday and I am going to stick to it.
Kate- have a good trip and just make the best choices you can all the little things add up!
Amy- Deadlifts can be a scary exercise if you are not using good form for sure, so really try to get someone to watch you or like Beeps said videotape.
Beeps- stay strong with your diet, I bet when its all done there will be some amazing muscles revealed!0 -
Beeps- How long have you been at a higher calorie level? This whole eat more to weigh less than cut down is like a beast all of its own. An experiment to say the least! Oh how I miss the days of eating low calorie and simply seeing results! :laugh: How's your little one?
Chloe- Stick with it and rant away. I hear you. I've got 2 more weeks (at least) in at this high calorie approach before I can look to make any adjustments and every day just feels like I'm sabotaging what I have been doing. Damn TOM anyways...like our mood isn't affected enough then you have to throw weight water into the mix?! :noway: Stick with that clean eating. STill need to try that breakfast muffin recipe of yours!!
Kate- Enjoy the trip and good luck with the food choices. Good idea on the logging, it'll help when you get back to see where you were at so you know how to approach it. You are a busy girl, that's for sure!!!
I took it easy this morning with a light workout. I finally feel the DOMS in my hamstrings and glutes after doing deadlifts so I didn't want to hit anything too hard given I've got squats and the rest of NROL tomorrow morning. Just wanted to get something in to get up and get moving. Still working off the meals I premade on Sunday. Will have to make another round tomorrow night but it's nice to just know there's healthy options already made and waiting for me. I do need to try some new recipes though...I feel like breakfast and lunch are always relatively the same. Which is fine but I've got a nice list of yummy looking clean recipes that needs experimented with.
I don't think I've updated on a my diet pop or running so here goes. I've found some pretty good green teas that I've been relying on. Some that I can even enjoy without needing to add Truvia or anything to so that's a plus. Been having my Diet drink for a lunch and then going with water and green tea for the rest of the day. And as for running, with NROL, I'm definitely not getting in as many as I wanted for the 5k. But I'm still seeing improvements. Slowly but surely. It kind of became a toss up between the goal of 5k by 30 and the goal of tightening up by 30. I think I can do both just maybe not as great a time on the 5k. So the date is 5/20 (I believe, I've got to send the paperwork in today) The May 5th one I wanted to go to turned out to be a 5 miler and I just wasn't ready for that!! I'll stick with the 2 5ks that are local and see how those turn out before even considering upping mileage to that!!0 -
I hear ya Reese, I made the mistake of getting on the scale, and my pants won't zip all the way up. I am telling myself to stick with it til the end of May.
sorry, Chloe, I can't do the positivity today... But you know 4 lbs is water weight since you didn't eat 14,000 extra calories!
I am going to add the ab routine I got in Fitness to my Stronglifts so the abs will be under there when I lose the fat
Kate, have fun in Omaha, are you going to see Jen? I miss her! and what is TED?0 -
Kate - gosh, PLEASE don't tell me you have been cutting "forever".....gack, I cannot IMAGINE!! go eat something for awhile (maintenance??)
Chloe - like Amy says, you didn't EAT a gazillion calories, so it is NOT 4 lbs. of FAT....I hope your relief comes soon!
mama - I think you will see some GREAT improvements in your running times, now that you are strength-training....they kind of go hand-in-hand, actually (especially at a 5 km distance!) Did I read it right that you are racing on May 20th?? Can't wait to hear all about that! (PS - my daughter is NOT doing well. My husband took her to the dr. this morning, after she's been running a 102 temp for 4 DAYS and the dr gave us nothing. Dr says her ears and sinuses are clear, so no need for anti-biotics, and sent them home. Booooooooooooooo. We continue to pay-through-the-nose for the temp nanny who is putting in overtime to take care of my sick kid who cannot go to school!!)
Amy, have you seen the thread that was on here the last couple of days from some major muscle-dude who does NO ABS?? It was a Q & A thread and I read it all the way through....and it was interesting to read this guy's take on ab-work. Let me know if you want me to find the link and I'll send it to you.
I'm in a good mood, actually. I'm in a good place. I did NOT have a headache, yesterday, so maybe carb-induction flu has already come and gone. I'm aiming to eat about 1,400 - 1,600 calories per day, which likely is about a 400-500 calorie deficit. And, I will eat one day/week at maintenance - I'm choosing Sunday for this week, Mother's Day, because I have a supper out.
I feel like I should be able to drop 8 lbs by end of June. If I'm luckier, 10 lbs. If I'm not so lucky, maybe 6 lbs?? And then, I'll choose to finish up in July, if I'm seeing the results that I want.
Mind you, next week I go back to heavy-lifting, so I am expecting that I will be "hungrier" next week, which will be a bit challenging, but I can do it. I have a ball at the end of May - so that's a good target to drop as much as I can (to fit into nice ball gown) and then June is my last challenge month - so I'll just bang it out because that's what "GOOD CHALLENGERS' do!!0 -
Hey lovely ladies!
Work has been so busy I feel as if I've been neglecting you
I'm sorry!!
Beeps- I'm sorry your daughter isn't doing well That stinks that the doctor can't give her anything either! I really hope she feels better soon 
Also, your plan sounds good. I think it is a reasonable amount of weight to lose in that amount of time and I'm sure you'll kill it! I would love to see that No Abs thread too, I think it'd be really interesting!
mama - Sorry about your little man!! I hope his arm heals soon! What green tea have you found that you don't need truvia? I need at least one sweetener in mine!
Chloe - I'm sorry you're feeling like that That was definitely me last week (TOM of course) but this week I do feel a bit better and I'm sure you will next week as well!
Kate - Have fun on your trip! I'm sure you'll make the right choices, and if not, just know that you have to work your butt off when you get home!
Amy - Good luck with the ab routine! You'll have to tell us how you like it!
I measured myself yesterday and actually measured 1/4" down on my natural waist and pooch from 2 weeks ago after I had gone up a bunch in both! I can also tell a difference with adding lifting in my bum! I measured up in that this week too, and that is absolutely what I'm going for there! (Flat butt syndrome..) I've been trying to do better with eating, I upped my calories to 1600 and am trying to at least get close to that, but it scares me still! And I have also cut down on the amount of wine I have during the week. If I really really want it, I will have it, but I am realizing I don't NEED it and have cut down to only 1-3 nights a week instead of all of them. Overall I think I'm in a good place right now... we'll see if that changes tomorrow after I weigh in... hoping for it to be down a bit, but not holding my breath!
Ok, back to work for me, too much sewing, too little time!!0 -
Hey chicks.
Beeps - I hope your daughter gets better! I think I said that last time, and I still mean it. :flowerforyou:
Choloe - Sorry you feel fat. I hate fat days. But like everyone has said, you didn't gain 4 pounds. It would be impossible. Hopefully you feel less fat tomorrow. Maybe try drinking a bunch of water.
Kate - Good luck with traveling. That is always so hard. At my last job they sent me to conferences regularly and its like they are trying to sabatoge everyone with all the pasta salads, huge sandwiches, cookies at every break and drink tickets at night. Good for you to committing to log.
Reese - Sounds like you've been doing very well with the workouts. Keep it up!
Shander - Awesome on measurements. Sewing? So you are in textiles and you actually get to make stuff? Awesome. I have heard fashion is VERY competitive.
Everyone else, keep up the good work!
I've been doing really well this week. My diet has been good and I have worked out every day. Yesterday Eric and I ran 2 miles and I did my crunches and today I ran almost 4 with the stroller and did my crunches today. I;m still sore from my Monday HIIT workout. Still no strength training; I plan on doing a decent amount tomorrow. And my tattoo got rescheduled to Saturday so I can still work out all week. I'm kind of glad since I've been on such a role.0 -
oo, a tattoo?! did I miss you saying that before? Is this your first one? I am untattooed but I still feel kind of obsessed. I have been along for the tattooing of three of my friends!
Beeps, that is too bad about your daughter. It is good they are not trying to overdo it on antibiotics, but what is causing the fever and the insomnia? I hope she gets to feeling better soon.
What's your fitness routine these days, Shan, still going to gym?
I am going to lift tonight-squats, bench press and rows.
Oh, and Beeps, I would be glad to read about the thread on no abs, I know some people say they don't do any direct ab work, but then I hear you have to do some pretty intense weighted ab work to get those muscles, hm...0 -
Okay, here is the link to the thread I followed (and read through), yesterday:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/590440-ask-me-anything-about-fat-weight-loss0 -
Shan, I was WONDERING how the sewing was going - update, please!!
Better - I saw that your neighbour commented that you are "the sort of pregnant lady people hate..." - so, I *know* you're KILLING IT, gf!!
Amy - I am tattoo-free. And, I'm going to stay that way. In fact, we have bribed our oldest child, for 6 years, NOT to get a tattoo, so it would just be insane for me to go get one. I see all the ladies, in the shower, at the gym with tattoos and I *still* think they are going to kick themselves when they are 70....but, what the hell do I know???
Where is jenomaha?? Sheesh, she'd better show up and check in for pete's sakes!!
And, I'm going to go check out AScheif's trainer's website....see if there is an update on her competition!!0 -
I was reading that thread yesterday...very informative and that guy isn't to bad to look at either 0
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Yes, the dude was easy on the eyes (although, in real life, W-A-Y too SHORT!). And, I liked the questions, the answers, the overall "tone" of the thread.
PS - cannot find AScheif on her trainer's website. Bummer. Now, to the rest of you (regular) posters here....do NOT go "away" without at LEAST saying "goodbye!!"0 -
sometimes I think about going away Seems like if I was just comparing myself to those around me I would feel better than comparing myself to all of the awesome ladies on MFP and in this thread!
Not hearing anything from Aschief is unsatisfying. I wonder if she did the fitness competition.0 -
I read part of the thread. I think he seems cool and knowledgeable, but he admits that he started with a good base of muscle and I fear I never had that. I think the gymnasts and the dancers that they are really getting something back, while I feel like I am trying to get it for the first time and my genetics resist it.
I know that I need to reduce body fat, but I really wonder, with body fat at 12% (haha) what would my tummy look like? just flat? just ribs?0 -
Thanks for the support everyone Weight went back down 2 lbs today and I am feeling better, so that is good!
I totally agree with Beeps comment on not going away without saying bye or letting us know!!! I depend on you ladies as my support system
I am tattoo free as well and I was really never a fan, but my husband has quite a few, he had them before we met and although I would rather he not have them I love him and he is hot anyways!0
This discussion has been closed.