My program, for now, is simply LOTS of cardio! I am carrying a lot of fat at 211 pounds, so burning that with cardio is my priority. I go to the gym six days a week and walk on the treadmill or ride the stationary bike for at least 60 minutes. I've used the strength machines only a handful of times. When I get down to around 180 I will start using the machines more. I started a 30 Day Plank Challenge today.... so that will help with core strength.

My exercise goal is 5 days a week with at least 30 minutes of exercise. I did a lot of running last year, including my first and only marathon, but it never helped get me to my goal. So this year I'm going to focus on strength training combined with running. And when I do run, I will do intervals and work on speed. Strength training will just be body weight for now. I may or may not join the gym. I'm still waffling on that.

Also, I got a Fit Bit for Christmas and I plan to reach 10,000 steps a day. I might increase that goal after I see how it goes at work tomorrow. I'm a high school teacher, so I walk around quite a bit. Plus I will likely add more purposeful walking during my planning periods.

I intend to increase time on my elliptical & begin dumbbell/stability ball work. My lack of solid commitment to exercise, kept me from my Christmas challenge goal.

Thanks Cathy for leading the way--I'd follow her lead if I were you!! She has been as tenacious as a rabid badger :mad: even though well-disguised by her proper English demeanor.:flowerforyou:

I plan to keep running, goal for this challenge is to round my run up to 10k, I'm running 5.25 miles now. I'd also like to get my pace up a bit--I'm still pounding away at about a 9:30/mile pace. I also want to ramp up my weight training if possible. I tend to feel weak on my weight training days so I have not been upping my weight amounts. Would like to amp it up a bit on each machine--I'll set a goal for now of a one plate increase in all machines with same reps/sets. Anybody out there with more weight training expertise, advice wanted. :ohwell:

Very Nice goals! I feel mine are similar to yours. I am planning to do a 10k in March. I run twice a week during my lunch break, so my time is limited to 45 mins, but I've managed to get up to 4.5 miles straight. I would like to get up to 5 miles in 45 mins by the end of January.

As far as lifting goes, I am no expert in this area. But I have been lifting following New Rules of Lifting for Women. In the book, the author stresses the importance of increasing weight & sets as you decrease reps. For example, week 1 would be 2 sets, 15 reps of whatever weight. week 2 would be 2 sets, 12 reps of an increased weight from week 1. week 3 would be 3 sets, 10 reps of another increased weight from week 2. then week 4 would be 3 sets, 8 reps of yet another increased weight from week 3. In the book it does 5 different exercises for each workout, two different workouts a week, for 2-3 days a week. If you like the idea of that structure, I think it works well for me!