Valentine's Day Fitness Challenge Anyone?

Yes! I am desparate to get moving again. My husband, son & I have been fighting some sort of crud for two weeks now. I am trying to kick bronchitis and killer tonsilitis (someone shoot me please!):sick: My workout is suffering because it hurts to breathe.:sad:

I want to be at 145 by Valentine's day. Goals are to do 5 days cardio, 2 days lifting. I got a swimsuit for Christmas and the colleges' indoor pool is re-opening in about a week after two years of remodeling! :happy: So when it's too cold or icy out to run, you can find me in the pool. Plus I think I've talked my husband in to swimming with me (we did all the time when in college). My ultimate goal is 135 by March 16th (my b-day), so I need a lot of motivation & help. Anyone want a pen-pal?

For those of you stuck at a plateau, some advice. Between Thanksgiving and about the 15th of Dec, I didn't drop a pound. Maybe fluctuated 2-3 lbs, but no new weight loss. As a result of traveling & now being sick, I haven't been working out as much and consuming slightly higher net calories. Guess what, I started dropping weight! I had put myself in the "starvation mode" because I was hitting 1200 calories a day with adjustment for 1 hr. of intense exercise. After analyzing my reports for ex & cals, I noticed that when I started this program, my calories were usually around 1600 and took some time & effort to get down to 1200, and I was only doing 30 min of exercise. Then with all your support, I got hard core and was busting my tail to no avail!

So, if you've been stuck for more than about a week, try adding a couple hundred calories. Especially if you've increased your exercise, you may be sabotaging your metabolism! You can always cut back again if it doesn't work. In my case, I think I was underestimating my daily activity level, which drastically affects you BMR. Hmmm, maybe a factor in why I've been sick for so long; no energy to fight. Guess I need to add a multivitamin back in the mix. :laugh:

Anyways, I wanted to share because I know a few of you from the Christmas Challenge have expressed similar frustrations. Let's make 2008 the best year of our lives thus far; if for no other reason, because of the new friends I have here!

I'm in. I'd like to lose 10lbs by Valentines Day.

We'll see how it goes.

Currently I work out at least 6 days a week, an hour of cardio and try to squeeze in weights every now and then. That regimen will drastically change in one month. After that, I'll have to figure out a new work-out plan.

Good luck to us all!

I want to join too! I just joined the board today, and am so excited! I'm shooting for 10 by Valentine's day, and I think with the support here I can do it! Good luck everyone!

excited!!

Well I am a newbie but I will join..

Plan--start date today 01-01-08 current weight 217 lbs
target weight by Feb 14- 205

Training:
strength training- M W F core lifts sets of 5 x5
Lactic acid training- Tu Thu
Cardio- tabata protocols

Diet...sticking to prescribed ranges with the exception that I bumped my protein intake to 196 gms per day or more

I plan on taking measurments and before and after photos

yesterday i got back on track after holidays and hope to loose the 4 lbs i gained by Monday at least. And my new short term goal at that point will be 20 by valentine day, I think that should be doable since the first 30 took around 7 weeks.

As for exercise I fit in what I can when I can. Most of my burning is from cleaning and chasing kids. Sense I count my hubby as one of the kids… lol that makes 3 to keep up with and clean up after. Keeps be busy in the evenings when I get home from work.

I lost 2 lbs!!! WOOOHOOO!

I'm in! I am going to do core exercises everyday and eat all my servings of fruits and veggies every day! That's gonna be tough for me! Here we go - one month away!