toadqueen wrote: »

azcowgirrlup wrote: »

My spinal surgery is scheduled and approved for August 11th. I obviously won't get much done in the challenge, but if it's OK, I would like to stay in it until my surgery....

Of course, it's okay. It may help with your recovery too

Thank you.
I thought it might help, too.

wabmester wrote: »

Yesterday was supposed to be a rest day. But I got restless and went for a bike ride. Then my daughter wanted to go to the track after dinner, so I jogged a mile and sprinted a bunch. Oh well, now it's time to focus on strength....

I bought two books: The New Rules of Lifting (weights) and You Are Your Own Gym (bodyweight). I've decided to focus on bodyweight exercises, since they're much more convenient, seem less risky in terms of injuries, and I haven't come close to exhausting their potential in terms of difficulty yet.

So I installed a pull up bar, and I did one pull up today. Much room for improvement.

I did a bunch of push ups, including decline push ups. I used the book's idea of "perfect form" and touched my chest to the ground with each push up. Much harder than my old style.

I also tried to do a hand-stand push up. Ehrm, I'm not ready yet.

Finally, I did a bunch of squats.

I still need to develop an actual routine, but I like the variations presented in You Are Your Own Gym, so I just need to settle on something. I may cut way back on cardio this month as part of the experiment.

Wow! Impressive if you ask me!
Exercise is my current hurdle. I've tried a little bit of several things, but consistency is my issue.
I still need to get my walk in today. But I am going to do it!

Just saw this but i am sooo in !!

will post back with what i got in for today!!

What is your current exercise level/program?
Zero. Zip. Nada. I'm a slug and I haven't done formal exercise in years. To be honest I hate exercise at my current weight. It's painful.
I used to do two to four hours a day of aerobics and weight training in my twenties, I was trim and fit and loved the feeling that a spin class for example gave me. There ain't no way I got four hours (or even two hours) to spare for that kind of regime now.

What are the specifics of your challenge for the week/month?
1. I brought a Fitbit one. I want to increase my activity level throughout the day. I tossed up getting a Fitbit flex but thought that a fitness band on the wrist of an obese middle aged woman would be vaguely ridiculous. I can hide the Fitbit one. I'm really looking forward to it. I plan on setting a vibration alarm to remind me to walk around for ten minutes or so every hour I'm at work.
2. I've lost 25 pounds in the last two months (very happy with this) and now feel it's time to add some exercise into the picture. There is an excellent well equipped gym at my apartment complex which I want to start using.

What are your goals and expectations?
Goals:
1. Get at least 5000 steps (recorded by Fitbit one) and hopefully increase that to the 10000 recommended by the end of the month.
2. Take the stairs at work (three flights) twice a day.
3. Start a fitness program, focusing on weighs and fifteen minutes or so of cardio. Three times a week. I've even taken a week off work to figure it all out and try and work out what time of day to do the workouts.

Expectations:
1. Keep losing weight or inches
2. Tone up a little bit
3. Sleep better
4. I do expect to feel sore and tired and sorry for myself. But I also expect to feel like I achieved my set goals and that the negatives were worth the gains.

Ridiculously long reply. Sorry.
I am just a bit excited about slowly getting back into fitness and health. I remember well how good I felt and looked when I was fit. I remember what it was like to have my body do the things I asked of it and I want that feeling back. I know it's a slow process though. This challenge is perfect for me this month and replying once a week will be great.

toadqueen wrote: »

I am so happy that I started today! I have not been able to do any kind of exercise at all for medical reasons. The 1/2 hour of walking was tough but I did it! It was too hot out so I walked to "So You Think You Can Dance" - okay O danced a little too. I already feel pain in my legs (all over actually) but I am going to continue unless my doctor tells me to stop. I still have muscles!!!

I love that show!...You're such a trooper

Week 1 report: I have successfully done a strength class today, plus 1 hour spinning. Did NOT feel like doing it this morning, but I said to myself: "I'm gonna feel so good after!"...Yep.

Have done my other sessions as well this week, including 2 hrs hike in the woods yesterday and more foamrolling than usual in the night infront of TV. I'm happy so far. I don't feel overwhelmed by the goals I set at start.

Stretches. All the time. Stretches while sitting, stretches while standing, stretches while lying down.... you get the picture. This is working remarkably well. A few stretches at a time across the entire day while going about daily life is relieving a lot of the tightness in my back, neck, hips and legs. Going to add in some yoga poses (which I'm finding are creeping into exercise routines across the net with new names). People are doing yoga and don't even know it.

I did some spring cleaning get myself off my butt a bit more and am planning on oiling the wooden window sills that need attention.

Spring is just around the corner so I'm going to get the garden ready for planting and will get some pots ready to replace some of the flowers.

The challenge is really helping me make myself stick to it. I committed to 30 days of yoga, yesterday and today I didn't really feel like doing it but I would've felt really guilty if I hadn't. I think this will help force me to develop a good habit of daily exercise.

8-1 1533 steps

8-2 567 steps, my toe still hurts

I'm behind on my steps so far but I plan to get caught up today.