2nd Fitness/Weight Loss Challenge: 25 June - 5 August 2007

[diamondjunkie]

Alrighty!  This is the new thread for the second fitness and weight loss challenge.  I will explain how it's going to run and between now and June 25th when the challenge officially begins, all you need to do is let me know that you want to be part of it. 

The morning of Monday June 25th you will need to weigh yourself and let me know the result (you do not have to post that on the thread - just PM me if you prefer).  You will need to know your starting weight as any pounds lost will earn you extra points.  (If anyone is attempting to gain, then that will also earn points too - it all depends on your goals.)

I got this idea from a fitness challenge I am part of on a weightloss forum - I think it's a great format and have just tweaked it a little for us.  Here's how it is going to work:

The REQUIREMENTS for this challenge include:

1. There will be a minimum of 3 cardio sessions per week. These must last at least 30 minutes each to get the full benefit of cardio exercise. The level is up to you - every one of us is at a different fitness level.  You are free to pick and choose whatever method you want - do what you enjoy.  If you complete 3 cardio sessions during the week, you will earn 20 points.  Miss one and you will lose 10 points.  Miss two and you'll only qualify for 5 points.  Miss them all and you get zero.

2. There will be a requirement for water consumption. It must be at least 64 ounces per day - that's the base recommendation for anyone. You'll get 2 points for every day you get your water in for a total of 14 points possible for water consumption.

3. You will be required to set three weekly goals for yourself. These can be anything you want - eat clean 5/7 days, do push ups/crunches daily, one drink one soda all week, etc.  You cannot use your weekly goals to double up on other requirement points.  For example, you can't say 'Drink 64oz of water 7/7days' because you would already get points for that.  They have to be separate goals.  You'll get 5 points for every goal you meet each week for a total of 15 goal points possible. 

The BONUSES for this challenge include:

1. You get 5 points for each additional 30+ minute cardio workout you do. If you complete 2 cardio workouts in one day that are 30+ minutes each, then you count them both separately.

2. You get 5 points for every strength workout per week. This could be at the gym, a strength training DVD or at home using bodyweight exercises such as lunges, squats and push ups.  Only one strength training session per day can be counted and it must last for at least 15 minutes. 

3. You get 2 points for trying a new form of exercise.  Whether it's a new class at the gym, a workout DVD or that bike you haven't ridden in a decade, it doesn't matter!  You can add 2 points as well as counting it as cardio/strength training.

4. You'll get 15 additional points for any CARDIO workout that lasts longer than 90 minutes. This might be tough for some.  Just remember to workout at your own pace and if you are not particularly fit right now, take it easy.  This is a bonus item not a requirement.

5. You'll get an extra 2 points for a PUSH IT! bonus. This is up to you to figure out.  If you up the level on your cardio machine or you workout for an extra 10 minutes, that would count.  The point is to challenge your body - it gets used to a workout fast and it needs to be contantly shocked into changing!


End of Challenge Weigh-In Requirement:

As I said, you will need to weigh in at the beginning of the challenge.  You will also need to weigh in at the end and let me know the results. You'll get 5 points for each percentage point of body weight you lose.  So, for example, if someone starts out at 160 lbs. and loses 5 lbs. over the course of the challenge, they'll have lost 3% of their body weight for a total of 15 points.

Every week (either on Sunday or Monday) you will need to check in with a report on your points earned for that week.  You will need to copy the format below and complete it:

Week of June 25-July 1:

REQUIREMENTS:
Cardio: 3 workouts = 20 points total
Water: 5/7 days @ 2 points each = 10 points total
Goals: Met 2/3 goals @ 5 points each = 10 points total
TOTAL REQUIREMENT POINTS: 40 POINTS

BONUSES:
2 Strength workouts = 10 point bonus
Tried a new workout DVD = 2 point bonus
90 minute workout on Saturday = 5 point bonus
Increased weight lifting by 5 pounds = 2 point bonus
Ran extra half mile on Tuesday = 2 point bonus
TOTAL BONUS POINTS: 21 POINTS

WEEKLY TOTAL: 61 POINTS

Week OF July 2-8 GOALS:
1. Eat clean 5/7 days
2. Make extra food to freeze over the weekend
3. Do 1 set of push ups every night before bed

I will be keeping track of your points and the winner will be the one with the most points accumulated at the end of the 6 weeks.  I will put together another fitness goodie box for that person.  This is going TO ROCK!  The first fitness challenge merely whet our appetites for the main course!  Let's kick butt!

So who's in...........??

[Gemelli]

I'm not in for the competition and points (would require some MAJOR rule re-writes with the new program I'm going to try, and I'd be out doing 2-hr bike rides every day for the points ), but I will be playing along generally and setting goals.

Gonna get BIG!

[diamondjunkie]

LOL!  You?!  A touch competitive?!  ROFL!  Yes, I could see you doing that on your bike.  You would be the one to beat every week!     Glad to have you along for the ride even if you're not in it for the glory!  You've done really well to make the gains you've already made - I have faith in you that you'll be bulked up and hard-bodied in no time!

[Mrs Mitchell]

Am already big, so no points for that, I presume! I'm not ready for this level yrt - willjust keep plugging away at the healthy eating and 3x swim per week. Spinal fracture last year rules out much more for me at this point. I'll get there though!

Jen

[Gemelli]

You've done really well to make the gains you've already made - I have faith in you that you'll be bulked up and hard-bodied in no time!

Yep, I think I've laid a good baseline to work from now - and interestingly enough, the gym is shut down until Monday, so this is a turn-around/recovery week for me (will try to squeeze in a few workouts later this week at buddy's apartment building gym, and do my yoga).


Jen, slow and steady will win the race!

[Geena1]

I'm trying to lose weight by eating less and cutting out the junk such as ice cream.

It's hard, and I love to eat.  I am 30-35 lbs overweight.  I am 5'4" and 168 lbs.
Age 51, went through menopause 7 years ago, and my body looks like that of a typical chubby menopausal woman.  Before age 30, I was always trim and fit.

Exercise just makes me hungry--extra exercise doesn't work for me.  I do play tennis 3 times a week and like to walk.

My problem is overeating.  My diet is healthy. Strict Lacto-vegetarian--food eaten at home is 99% organically produced.  Lots of veggies, fruit, whole grains, soy products.  Problems are love of dark chocolate, occasional overeating on sweets and cheesy foods such as pizza.  I don't snack.  I eat 3 meals a day.

[Diamondluvr]

Alright---I'm IN

Have to get ready for B-Day(Bikini Day) on my 30th next month, so this will definitely help to keep me motivated!!! 

After our move, well for me its been 1 year and my hubby 2 years.  Our lifestyle really changed-lots of challenges living apart and commuting back and forth, all while he was taking over a business and me trying to sell mine and keep it running well, buying and selling homes that didn't coinside with the business take overs and a few other things that I won't go into detail here. 

All of that led me to eat poorly, not workout and hardly sleep---felt and looked like crap.   I used to be in very good shape, loved to work out and watched what I ate, so I know that I can do this!!!

I am ready for a change, I need to get healthy again-so I can begin to enjoy those things I used to again!

It has been tough so far, I began to eat healthier, upped my H2O intake and workout almost daily for the last 12 weeks, but the scale has been moving up and down slowly and am down 12lbs. and was hoping for more!!! 

I guess I need to set smaller goals and be excited that the 12lbs. are gone and I am definitely stronger and feel sooooo much better   Down 9% body fat too!!!

BRING IT ON!!!

[diamondjunkie]

Alright.  I think I need to remove the strength requirements and have those workouts be bonus items only.  Otherwise, I think this workout may be a bit much for our forum members.  I will modify the original message in a minute or two.  It will mean that those who can and do complete strength workouts will still get points for doing so but it won't be a requirement of the challenge. 

Jen, that should make this challenge very doable for you - please join, we don't want to lose you on this!  You are doing SO well!

Geena, that should help for you too.  I have to tell you that exercise revs up everyone's metabolism and hunger levels.  It's perfectly normal.  Keep on with the tennis and try to add some strength training in there too.  If you increase your muscle mass, you will increase your basal metabolic rate (how many calories your body uses simply at rest) and so will be able to eat more without gaining fat.  You also need to eat more often through the day.  If you are going more than 3-4 hours without eating, you are probably causing your metabolism to slow down.  The trick is to feed it small amounts often - that keeps the furnace at full tilt!

DL, yeah girl!  Are you ready to kick it up a notch?!  Seriously, I'll race you every week on points if you want........I could use the motivation too and I have a feeling you might be the one to help kick my butt!  12lbs is a great achievement.  Slow and steady wins the race........although, not the points race!   

[webmistress]

I'm going to have to be sidelines participant. I'm not trying to lose or gain but maintain and keep up the fitness. So I'm using ya'll for inspiration and to hold me accountable.

[diamondjunkie]

Hey WM, how about I set up a point allowance for those maintaining too - I believe Robin is in the same boat.  Let's say, 15 points for remaining within 2.5 lbs of your starting weight?  That gives you a 5lb tolerance.  For every 2.5lbs beyond that limit (either way) the points would drop by 5.  Sound fair?  I really want you on board - you're such a workout fiend!

[Diamondluvr]

DJ-I'm sure that you'll be the points leader on this one, but I will try to keep up 

I'm ready to get started!!!

[Gemelli]

Ok DJ, can you do some math?
How many points are granted for:

Swimming: 2.4MI/3.8KM
Biking: 112MI/180KM
Running: 26.2MI/42.2KM

All in one day? 

...kinda just kidding... 

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Ok, count me in!

Jen

[acebruin]

Ok DJ, can you do some math?
How many points are granted for:

Swimming: 2.4MI/3.8KM
Biking: 112MI/180KM
Running: 26.2MI/42.2KM

All in one day? 

...kinda just kidding... 

[webmistress]

Hey WM, how about I set up a point allowance for those maintaining too - I believe Robin is in the same boat.  Let's say, 15 points for remaining within 2.5 lbs of your starting weight?  That gives you a 5lb tolerance.  For every 2.5lbs beyond that limit (either way) the points would drop by 5.  Sound fair?  I really want you on board - you're such a workout fiend!

Why you twisted my arm. You bet. Besides I sweated buckets in that humid 3.25  mile run today and I want credit. I'll have to weigh tomorrow. I weigh only in the morning after going to the bathroom and with no earrings in to tip the results.

[Sanchica27]

I weigh only in the morning after going to the bathroom and with no earrings in to tip the results.

hahahahahaha!

that's a great one!

[diamondjunkie]

Ok DJ, can you do some math?
How many points are granted for:

Swimming: 2.4MI/3.8KM
Biking: 112MI/180KM
Running: 26.2MI/42.2KM

All in one day? 

...kinda just kidding... 

Um..........you're scaring me mskerryk!     If you compete in a triathlon in the middle of the challenge, I will gladly allow you to add 50 points for that day alone and whoop all our butts!  All hail mskerryk!   

WM, YAY!  So glad you are on board!  No earrings?!  LOL!  You need to weigh in on Monday morning - not before as that's when this challenge officially begins.......

Jen, brilliant!  I really want to see everyone enjoying this challenge and whipping themselves into shape.  You have been doing such a great job and it's great to have your humor here to cheer us all on.

AZ, yahoo!  When you put your mind to it, you really kick it!  I believe you and I owe an 'after picture' on the other thread this Sunday.  Oh how I wish a few pounds looked like more!

DL, I know you are going to give me a run for my money!  This will just give me more incentive to really take it up a notch.  I need a good push every now and then!

[webmistress]

 I'd race you MsKerry but I have a sore toe and that would surely give you an unfair advantage. Otherwise, I could really toast you. (In my dreams)

But I might do the 5k dog jog on fourth of july. I'll let you know of my blazingly impressive results that will surely make you feel inferior. I know your athletic prowess is threatened by the dog jog results but I had to do it.

[Gemelli]

I'd race you MsKerry but I have a sore toe and that would surely give you an unfair advantage. Otherwise, I could really toast you. (In my dreams)

Heh, let's relay against her - I'll take the bike leg.

As long as I get to pick the trail. 

[Mrs Mitchell]

I weigh only in the morning after going to the bathroom and with no earrings in to tip the results.

hahahahahaha!

that's a great one!

Uh, is this unusual?

[Gemelli]

I think so - I wear my 'Mr. T' chains when I weigh in to boost the gain a little.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Ok, my weekly goals will be to:

swim 3x

eat minimum 5 portions of fruit and veg each day

stick to my daily (miserable) allocation of weightwatchers points every day, without time off for good behaviour. For the whole week.  I have never done this. It will certainly be a challenge.

Is that ok, DJ? Or does it need to be a bit more?

Jen

[Mrs Mitchell]

I think so - I wear my 'Mr. T' chains when I weigh in to boost the gain a little.

   Nice mental image I have here now, Gemelli!

Jen

[diamondjunkie]

I can understand that predicament Gemelli.  By the time you got them all off it would be time to crawl back into bed for another good night's sleep!  

Jen, the last two look great but you need to come up with something else for the first one as you will already get points for each swimming session (they will count as cardio).  You could say that you will take a few minutes to stretch out your muscles after each swim or you could try to do crunches 3x a week.  It's up to you!

[Mrs Mitchell]

Hm, ok. How about the crunches? They sound nice. Chips or just stick to veggies??  Ha. I know the answer, I think, but please describe crunches to me, to make sure we're on the same page!

I don't imagine for a moment you will accept 'more regular manicures' or 'lifting heavier pizza'?

Jen