WOW WE HAVE REACHED DAY 1 OF OUR WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE!! I can't believe its August already. I know some of you are taking part in the virtual rowing so I thought we could do our own little challenge as well. This is going to last throughout of August hopefully. I will be following up every day with motivational tips to keep us going and swapping our routines around. Remember only you can do the hard work!

I am so excited for you all taking part, let us make August count.

It all starts today, today is the first day of your slimmer life. No matter how big the mountain may be that you have to climb, the key to success is to move forward every day, just focus on each day at hand. Set yourself small but reachable goals.

“the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”

We will also be incorporating at least a 500cal burn every day. If you burn 500 cals a day you will lose 1lb a week, yes that’s right!! Let’s make this week happen. No more excuses, it’s now or never. If you burn more than this its fine it means you are doing something right. However some of us are still at the early stage in our exercise and may find it hard to do a full 500cal burn due to disabilities etc. You do what you can and don't let anyone tell yourself different.

"no matter how slow you go you are still lapping everyone on the couch"

After being gifted a workout dvd called Ultimate Taebo by Billy Banks I have therefore started this challenge with a bit of Taebo, it’s an exercise mixture of marital arts and boxing and one of the most fabulous ways to burn calories, it’s an all over body workout. It lasts for 53mins but do as much as you can. I have to admit that both my friend and myself skimmed through this last night and although it looks hard I am sure when we push ourselves each day it will get easier. I have attached a link to you tube where I was quite thankful to find the same workout that I am doing for free so that you can all join in with me if you like.

If you don't want to do Taebo you can incorporate any exercise into your regime just make sure you are doing something and log those calories. Whether you are cooking, cleaning etc you are still moving and it still counts. Just don't overkill yourselves so that tomorrow you won't be fit to move. Pushing ourselves is the key however killing ourselves is not. We want to enjoy exercise and not think of it as chore.

Let’s do it. Please state below who took part and the calories they burned.
Before we start this challenge I would like to suggest for you to take your measurements as well so we can come on the thread at the end of the month and find out how well we did.

So this is what I want you to do.

1. Get yourself a glass of grapefruit juice or try a glass of lukewarm water with a slice of lemon in it, fantastic for flushing out your system
2. plan what you are having to eat first thing in the morning this ensures that you know how many calories you have to spend and will make you not go overboard
3. Drink at least 4litres a water a day - Small sips throughout the day will keep your hunger at bay too
4. Try and do at least 30-60mins of exercise
5. Feeling deflated, come on here and speak about it, its better than reaching for something naughty that could ruin your hard work
6. Most importantly have fun and enjoy the experience.
7. Finally let me know how you get on each day, I have big shoulders and can take allot of woes

Good luck everyone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0VjItiDF3w