Fitness/ health challenge!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Fitness/ health challenge!
21
Sun, 08-05-2007 - 11:15pm

Ok ladies (and guys),


I have been thinking about this lately, and I would like to propose a challenge here for fitness and health.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Sun, 08-05-2007 - 11:17pm

For myself: I am HUGE on pasta and perogies, so I will not eat either for at least 3 weeks- that's my food challenge.


For my fitness challenge, I will also incorporate my mother in it: she has about 50lbs she wants to lose, so I will drag her out nightly for an hour walk before dinner (I'm sure she'll complain), and then do weights at home while watching tv instead of sitting on the couch with the laptop LOL!



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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Mon, 08-06-2007 - 12:40pm

This is something that I certainly need to work on. I have been saying that I want/need to lose about 15 lbs. It is excruciatingly hot here right now (well over 100) so doing anything outside will be very limited. I love to run but will not be starting a running routine until it cools off in a few weeks.

I am also very busy with things for the kids. They are in school (year-round) already for the year, one son in gymnastics, soccer starts for the other in a couple of weeks, so very little time for mom.

Right now I am sure to eat lots for fruits and veggies. I walk everyday (not just to walk but from my bus to my building and usually out some at lunch and back to bus, back to car in the afternoon, probably about 1 to 1 1/2 miles a day during the week). that is always good. I always take the stairs so I just try to be as active as possible.

So I think I will try to do some kind of strength training this week. I would like to lose about 15 lbs and tighten up so I will give that a go. There is my one thing to change to be healthier this week. How about I try for doing that 3 times?

Great thought Alison.

Priscilla

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Mon, 08-06-2007 - 12:46pm

Priscilla,


That sounds perfect- making a goal of three times this week will be a great challenge!


Is there any way that you can do a quick run when the kids are in their gymnastics and soccer?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Mon, 08-06-2007 - 1:08pm

I can't run in 100 degrees regardless of the kids, I will have kids with me waiting/watching while others have activities, so probably not even if the weather was cooler. Once i have the soccer schedule I will probably spend the entire time driving back and forth between kids, dropping off one at the soccer fields at 6:30, other at gymnastics at 6:45 (girl with homework riding around with me), then back to pick up at the soccer fields at 7:30 and back to pick up at gymnastics at 7:45.

A very busy schedule. Then home, showers, and bed. I will have to see how it goes and once the games start it will be busier. I am a little relieved that the girl hasn't been good and is not allowed any extracurriculars right now. I don't know how I would manage that.

Priscilla (a very busy mom)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Mon, 08-06-2007 - 1:52pm

Priscilla,


How old are your children?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Mon, 08-06-2007 - 2:24pm

Ok all about me, you asked, this will be long.

My kids ages, 6, 6, and 7 so no they can't be left alone while I exercise. So that is one option that I can't use. We are very active as a family on the weekends, we hike, go swimming, play ball or just walk around the neighborhood. We also go to the Y on the weekends. My kids are very active "play outside" kids. When they get home from school they usually hang up the bookbags and head out until dinner is ready. We almost never turn the TV on during the week.

I am not thin but I'm not overweight at all. My BMI is within the healthy range, although I would just like to be thinner for me. I have a healthy, curvy body. But, I would like to be more toned and thinner. I am nearing 40 and just want to feel and look my best. Being the single mom has left very little time for extra stuff for me.

As for weeknights, there isn't much time to get out and do things as a family. I work a traditional job and we don't get home until close to 6:00 (sometimes later depending on traffic and bus schedules). We leave in the morning around 7:00 a.m. so I am not even home for 11 hours out of the day. When we get home I make dinner, eat, homework, showers and bed. That is pretty much all there is time for. It will be very hard once all the activities are in full force to even get dinner together. I do my best to make sure we eat a well-balanced diet. I stay away from fast food and prepackaged food as much as possible. The only things we have to drink are water, 1% milk and the occasional calcium-fortified orange juice. The do take juice in their lunch when they pack but we stay away from that as a general rule.

So that is why I have elected to add some weight training for now. I can do that after they go to bed and I have cleaned up for the day. It doesn't take long and will at least be adding something. If it was cooler, I would bring clothes and at least head out for a power walk during lunch. The fall is coming so we shall see. Once everyone is settled in their activities I may be able to find a way to exercise. I will have to be at soccer games but may be able to take him to the field from practice then take the other two to the playground across the way (walk) and jog a few laps while practice is going on. We shall see. I have been on my own for over a year now and although we have gotten into a pretty good routine, there are some things I need to add to it.

Priscilla

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
Tue, 08-07-2007 - 8:27am
I run almost 30 miles a week, do upper body weights at the gym one or twice a week and mountain bike. My BF and I did an 8 mile run and then mountain biked on Saturday and kayaked on Sunday for a couple of hours. I'm an excercise addict! My BF taught me to ski last winter so that's one of the things we do in the winter. I also try to run outside and use the treadmill and attend bootcamp class once a week when my kids are in school. I've maintained my weight from my teenage years by working out and watching what I eat. Sweets are my downfall so I try to avoid them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Tue, 08-07-2007 - 12:42pm

Glad you brought this up Alison! I mentioned this a few times in the "Wednesday Woes" threads we have done but I think I will mention it again since it coinsides with this thread. :) I went to UVA yesterday (Monday) to have my hips and lower back looked at. Found out I have hip bursitis (and I'm 31!!!!!). I am having an MRI done this Saturday just to rule out anything with my back. The dr told me that even though I was experiencing the pain when walking that I still needed to start walking again and maybe do some swimming to get rid of the weight gain I have experienced with this pain. I'm telling y'all, if I walk for too long or just do cleaning around the house for too long, my back and hips start aching like I don't know what! He also wants me to go to physical therapy especially for bursitis. I just want this pain to go away so I can be normal again!

I definitely want to participate and yes, it is hot as Hades here as well so walking outside is OUT of the question right now. However, I DO have the Walk Away The Pounds video that I can do. I would really like to get a treadmill but I don't have the resources right now. That is why I am going to have to do my WATP videos and probably start out doing the one mile.

I already eat pretty healthy so exercising is mainly my downfall right now. I think my goal will be to walk a mile 3x a week.

Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Tue, 08-07-2007 - 12:56pm

Last week: 21 hours of biking, swimming and running
Very healthy eating!

This week: 16 hours of biking, swimming and running
Very healthy eating!

Getting ready for a big race in 2 weeks. Will keep you posted!! :-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2005
Tue, 08-07-2007 - 3:16pm

LOL Judy- YOU'RE not allowed to participate in this one- you put us all to shame!!



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