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

[diamondjunkie]

See!  How would we manage without your humour!?  ROFL!

Here's a link for you to check out:

http://exercise.abou...cs/abs/ht/Crunch.htm

Most importantly, remember to focus on your abs throughout the movement.  You need to really squeeze and literally 'crunch' your belly.  Imagine it's like a concertina that you are compressing from the bottom of your ribs down to the top front of your pelvis.

[Gemelli]

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

Yeah, do I get points for pint curls? 

[diamondjunkie]

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

Yeah, do I get points for pint curls? 

No but you WILL put on more weight Gemelli..........just don't blame me if that kinda weight doesn't do much for Mrs-Gemelli-2-B!!!!   

[Gemelli]

Hehe - I'm so far beer-proof as well (although the wallet isn't, so nix that idea).

I am going into heavy liver training in August to survive Korea, though.

[annie1]

I'm sooo in!  I'm excited about this contest DJ.  I think it should be a lot of fun.

[acebruin]

He used to weight 230+, and now he's at 165.
I melted the poor man. 

are you serious kerry?  wow you must share your diet program!  LOL

[Geena1]

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!   

Thanks, diamondjunkie! 

[evilmailjeep]

Since my job, at least until July 1 (and maybe later if I can get another postmaster to borrow me for six months) is almost all walking (4-6 hours a day, 4-6 days a week)....how do I handle exercise/water consumption  points? Or should I just butt out of points plan and keep checking in ? (FWIW, I got a size 14 shirt on today!!)

[robin]

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!

Oh, then I'm in!  There are lots of things I could be doing better, such as *drinking water*!, and getting more fit.

--Robin

[Snooper]

Wow! That's fantastic!! Lifestyle is the key!

I'm going to have to sit this hard core challenge out.. I'll stick to the previous one, but good luck to everyone!!! Keep up the great work!

[diamondjunkie]

mskerryk, please come here and melt mine a bit too!  Actually, I should cut him some slack.  He has almost completely given up Pepsi which has been his staple drink as long as I've known him and he has dropped about 7lbs.  He's got quite a few more to go so here's hoping he sticks with it.

Annie, welcome on board!  Great to have you in for this one!

Geena, you are welcome!

Robin - YAY!  Thought you might like that!

EMJ, I had a feeling that the point system was going to like you A LOT!  Every day that you walk more than 90 minutes you qualify for cardio AND the extra bonus points.  You should be pushing your way up the leader board every week!

Snoop, all you need to do is cardio 3 times a week and eat/drink better - that's it.  I know you can do this and I also know you WANT to.  You just need a little push and some encouragement - well here it is!  You've just bought an ab machine and I know you got all that workout equipment at home too.  You didn't buy it so it could look pretty in the corner, right?!  Come on girlfriend!  You can do this and we will all be right here cheering you on!  Make a change for the better!  Maybe you don't have any illusions of winning this challenge but sign up for the comraderie alone and we'll do everything in our power to make Snooper a Hottie for the summer!     We'll make sure you succeed!!!  Don't make me get on a plane........

[Mrs Mitchell]

Oh my. I may have stumbled across the secret weight loss weapon. I'm starting a course in forensic medicine in the fall and I just watched the course materials DVD. GROSS! If I watch one session before every meal, I reckon I can cut  my calorie and fat intake by oh, a good 100%. PM me for copies of the disk! The text books might also help - they are beyond gross.

Jen

[diamondjunkie]

ROFL!!!!!!  Sounds like a plan, Jen!!!!!

[Mrs Mitchell]

I'm going to stick to my weekly plan too, just to be on the safe side! I could put all that stuff out of my mind if confronted with a large enough pizza! (Hell, I can probably do it when I'm confronted with the exam papers too.)

Another good day on the weight loss front today - sensible eating and a swim at lunchtime. Feeling good!

Jen

[diamondjunkie]

Okay, we are fast approaching the end of the first fitness challenge and the start of this, our second.  I was looking back at a talk I gave to a ladies group about 18 months ago and I wanted to share something that I said then that I think rings very true and might help you all get a grip on making a lifestyle change. 

There are 5 things you need (4 of them purely mental) to make healthy changes to your lifestyle:

1.  You have to WANT it.  Really, really want it - and for yourself, not for your DH or SO.
2.  You have to believe you can do it.  Positive thought is incredibly powerful.
3.  You need the knowledge to achieve it.  Read, read, read!
4. Focus.  Set goals, rewards, look for a role model, motivate yourself.
5.  Implement - get out there and do the things you need to do!

So many people talk a big game but soon end up whining that they don't have time or they're too tired.  I say they simply aren't ready to make the changes and that's fine - just be honest with yourself and don't make excuse after excuse all the while complaining that you can't fit into your favorite jeans  !

If anyone here thinks that they may need some tough love with this, let me know because I am happy to dish out a cyber wake up call at any time!  I will, for the most part, be easy going with everyone but I am more than happy to put Mrs-Nice-DJ away if I have to!  I want every single one of you that signs up for this to see some positive and worthwhile results at the end of it and that will only happen if you stay on track.  I'll do whatever I can to see that you do!

Looking forward to starting this challenge.............I'm off to build a spreadsheet to keep track of everyone's results!

[Gemelli]

You'd better give my stomach a tough love lecture....  it's rebelling.  I'm gonna keep filling it, though. 

As I'm not officially in the challenge, I probably won't make the check-in on Monday (kind of in a transition period) - I'll catch up!

[Diamondluvr]

My Goals for Week June 24th-July 1st

1) Do Ab work 6/7 days

2) Try advanced Pilates DVD 3/7 days

3) Pre-plan meals for the week

[robin]

Since my job, at least until July 1 (and maybe later if I can get another postmaster to borrow me for six months) is almost all walking (4-6 hours a day, 4-6 days a week)....how do I handle exercise/water consumption  points? Or should I just butt out of points plan and keep checking in ? (FWIW, I got a size 14 shirt on today!!)

EMJ, do you wear a pedometer on your route?  If not, you should-- I'd love to know how many miles you walk on a walking mail route!  Plus, how heavy is the mail?  Wow, after six months, you'd be amazingly fit!

--Robin

[robin]

My goals for the week of June 25th:

1) Eat no sweets for one day, and only one lower calorie dessert per day (Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, Weight Watchers sorbet bars) for two additional days.
2) Eat at least five servings of fruits and veggies on at least four days.
3) Do crunches and upper body exercises with dumbbells for at least fifteen minutes on three days.

I am a MAJOR sugar fiend, so I know that #1 doesn't look like much, but I often eat two or more servings of sweets per day  .  Also, I am about 1 1/2 lbs. above goal weight right now.  So I need to cut back a bit in general.  I am also eating too many carbs-- pretty much all whole grain, but still.  So now that all the pretty summer fruits and veggies are all around, I need to eat them :-).

--Robin 

[Snooper]

Skinny Cow? Is that a brand? I love ice cream sandwiches, those are my weakness if I want desert.  Let me know!

Again keep up the great work!!! I'm at a plateau, ok.. I haven't lost an oz. but my pop intake hasn't gone up to more than 2 cans, so I'm happy about that.  I gotta get back on track.  Being sick for 9 days didn't help, and I have had this bad headache for a week... Not making excuses, but it makes it hard to go hard core you know...

[diamondjunkie]

Alright!  Just so there is no confusion, the first day of this challenge is tomorrow, Monday.  The first week will run June 25th to July 1st.  Any exercise or food/water intake that you complete today will not count.

Just so you know, I have changed the bonus points for a 90 minute cardio session to 15 instead of 5.  That means that not only would you get 5 points for a normal cardio session of 30+ minutes, you would also get 15 additional points which would give you 20 points for that one cardio session - well worth getting that in.

I have an Excel spreadsheet set up with all the formulas just ready to received your weekly point reports!  There is still time to sign up if anyone else is ready to take charge of their bodies and health. 

Don't forget that I will need your weight tomorrow.

DL and robin - love the goals!  They sound great!

Snooper, are you going to officially join us?  You sound like you are ready to commit.  We can help you get 'back on track'.  It's not that hardcore when you look at the requirements.  Three 30 minute cardio sessions could be 3 30 minute walks with Snooper and I know your DH would be very helpful too - that's half the battle right there!  This would be a great way to keep yourself accountable too.

My goals for the week of 25 june - 1 July:

1.  Eat clean 6/7 days - I allow myself one treat a week.
2.  Go in the sauna 2x.
3.  Glute work 3x.

I will check in tomorrow morning with my weight and then it's all systems go!  Let's kick butt!

[robin]

Skinny Cow? Is that a brand? I love ice cream sandwiches, those are my weakness if I want desert.  Let me know!

Yes, it's a brand.  They have them at most of the groceries in our area.  They have 140 calories for the vanilla, and there are several flavors.  140 calories isn't nothing, but it's half of what's in a Snickers bar, and a fraction of half a pint of Ben and Jerry's!  Plus they have three grams of fiber.  Weight Watchers makes an ice cream sandwich, too, but I prefer the Skinny Cow.  I DO like the Weight Watchers sorbet/vanilla swirl bars.  They're about the same number of calories.

--Robin

[robin]

Okay, so I just realized something.  I'm not sure how to determine a "serving" of fruits and veggies.  I know today doesn't "count," but for example, I had a big 'ol bowl of grapes... maybe two servings?? I had leftover Chinese for lunch-- chicken broccoli with brown rice.  It had a lot of broccoli and carrots-- a whole serving?  A serving and a half?  I'm really not sure.

Where's the best online source for guidelines, or is there a simple rule of thumb?

--Robin

[diamondjunkie]

Have you tried the No Sugar Added Fudgesicles - OMG!  40 calories and absolutely TDF!!!!  YUM!

Robin, there are many sites online that you can google to help you 'eyeball' portion sizes.  Try this one to start:

http://www.cancer.or..._Portion_Control.asp

[Snooper]

Dang, I keep forgetting about the no sugar fudgsicles!!! I was telling DJ how I don't have a sweet tooth, so it's the reason why I wouldn't remember.

Robin, I've sent Dan out to find Skinny Cow! LOL should be interesting as he's really bad at finding things at the store...

DJ, I can try, but I'm not sure about a full 30 min 3x a week as of today... Seriously, I'm a big whiner... I hate working out and I know if I told myself that I liked it it'd help.. but I'm a big baby... But I'll try.  Not sure about my weight as I hate the scale, but let me get back to you...