Sporty: Challenge Anyone?

48 days until the end of the year ... Interested in a mini-challenge to boost motivation? Posh and I talked a little about this yesterday.

Challenge Idea: Exercise 5x/wk until 12/31/07 (you choose type and time). Once a week just do a quick post.

Who's in?

Last Lap 2007 (Part I)

(Part I): Thu Sept 6 - Wed Oct 17 (6 weeks)

Diet - 7 days/wk for max of 35 pts

• Earn 5 pts for each day you follow your diet i.e. WW core, WW points, Vegan, etc

Good Health Guidelines 5 days/wk [1 pt each] for a max of 25 pts

• 8 (8oz) cups Water
• 2 svgs Milk products/Milk substitutes/Calcium supplements
• 2 tsp Healthy Oils (olive, flax, canola, sunflower, safflower)
• 5 (1/2C) svgs Fruit/Veggies
• Multivitamin

Exercise [3pts each] for a max of 39 pts

• 5 days of cardio @ 30 min
• 3 days of strength @ 4 muscle groups
• 5 days of mind-body @ 10 min

Blog [10 pts]

• 1 weekly post to blog to check-in, give status update on your goals, etc

Online Food Log [10 pts]

• 5 days of food entries posted to online log

Bonus [up to 6 pts/week]

• 1 hr of strength/cardio/mind-body on your "off day" (6 pts) OR 1-6 days of Daily Personal Goal (1 pt each day)
  

Sporty: Let's put some $$$ on this

For some increased motivation let's put some money into "How much are willing to lose" challenge.

Here's what I'm thinking:

1. If you make your goal - you keep your money.

2. If you do not make your goal - you pay one dollar ($1) for every pound short of your goal. For example, if your goal is 32 lbs, and you get to 30 lbs, you'll pay $2 (2lbs x $1). The money will them be split among everyone who got to goal for an end of year treat.

What do you all think? Ready to put your money where your mouth is?

P.S. That's right Posh I'm talking to you.....I'm also planning for you to wear your underwear on your head in Curepe at high noon. LOL!

Spice: First week went well

Well the first week of the challenge went pretty well. Had a few hiccups with some of the food requirements but otherwise it was good.

I must say I'm liking this 5 days a week exercise program a lot better. For some reason it is less stressful. I unofficially was doing the exercise requirements for the last challenge and consequently I felt tired and my muscles ached quite often. In the process I think I strained a few things and I felt it took a while to recover. But now I think my muscles get a bit more rest and can keep up better.

My personal goal is to do 10 minutes of Taebo Ab Boot camp. When I made this decision I did not consider that I would have to do it6 days a week! (In light of above I find this funny.) So now my ab muscles are always aching. However if this is the sacrifice that needs to be made for a better toned abdomen so be it. Despite the aches it really is not that bad. I find the 10 minute slots are easy to finish. The DVD is 30 minutes long and thus I divide it into 3 mini workouts-beginning, middle and end. Each day I select one to do. By the time I'm ready to cry bloody murder its over. And if my aches are any indication I think its working.

Sporty: Ironman Challenge

Check out this challenge that's going on the WW message boards:

"The Ironman Triathlon Fitness Challenge for June is in progress! All skill levels (and distances) are welcome. You do not have to aspire to be an Ironman to join this challenge. You may join at any time and adjust your goals to fit how much of the month is left. (We'll be back next month, too.)
The rules are simple, between June 1-30, you must complete:

• 2.4m of swimming (4200 yds)
• 112m of biking (any bike indoors or out will do)
• 26.2m of running/walking/elliptical

Add up your distances and post them to the daily thread using the following format:

• Earned Today (or most recently) / Earned to Date / Goal for Month

If you do a little bit at a time it is totally manageable.Will you reach the finish line by the end of the month?"

Maybe we can be ready for something like this at some point. What do you think?

Ginger: Challenge Ideas?

It sounds like everyone is up for another challenge of some kind. Here's what's on the table so far:

1. A revamped version of WOW.
We compete "against" each other for a set # of weeks. Each WOWer racks up individual points for food logs, blogs, exercise sessions, and mind/body activities. Highest points = winner!

2. An exercise challenge.
We commit to logging a certain number of exercise hours -cardio, strength, pilates, yoga or stretching -by a set date. Everyone wins! Hey Sporty -would we count our hours as a group or individually?

So...what would "challenge" you? Let's toss around some ideas...

Ginger: And the winner is...SPORTY

If you've been watching our WOW Challenge, you'll know that Sporty left everyone in the dust for the first two weeks. Despite a valiant last ditch effort in Week 3, I was unable to close the gap. Once again, Sporty's consistent effort has paid off.

Congratulations Sporty!

Ginger: WOW

Hey Sporty -
Are we starting WOW today? Anyone else in?

Ginger: WOW (Workout and Weight Loss)

Sporty mentioned that she might be up for a mini challenge. I thought I'd throw "WOW" out there and see what you guys think.

How does it work? You do stuff. You get points. We tally our points weekly. The person with the most points = Winner.

Cardio Exercise (3 points)
at least 20 min per session; up to 6/wk.

Strength Training (3 points)
6-8 stations per session; up to 3/wk .

Mind/Body Exercise (3 points)
up to 6/wk.

Food Diary (10 points)
at least 5 days/wk.

Weekly Check In (15 points)
Self-explanatory.

You also get points for pounds and inches lost -but you count those up at the end of the challenge. I made it halfway through the challenge when Mimi and I tried it at the Y. She was a prize winner though, so we have it on good authority that WOW is doable.

Whaddya think?