February Exercise Challenge

TexasBecky · 02-20-2008, 09:01 PM

I did my strength training today.

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge
15/20 Cardio Sessions
5/8 Weight Sessions

TexasBecky · 02-21-2008, 10:30 AM

One hour of cardio again today. Doesn't it seem like February is flying by?

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge
16/20 Cardio Sessions
5/8 Weight Sessions

Frangipani · 02-21-2008, 06:26 PM

Becky, you're doing a great job! How is the weight training going for you -- any better?

Triple-header Thursday for me tonight. 1 hour weight training (arms/upper body), a 30 minute abdominals class, and a 1 hour Yoga class.

I enjoy Yoga so much -- I am going to try to start doing it more often if I can squeak some extra workout time into my week. Is anyone else doing Yoga?

Have a great night everyone!

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge

16/28 Exercise Sessions

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

salsa1877 · 02-21-2008, 10:58 PM

Got another 1.5 hours in today. There is no way that I am going to make my challenge but I did have some major setbacks this month: I was ill, my BF schedule is changing and we won't see each other much (that will HELP in the future, I won't be in such a hurry to get home and spend time with him) and we had a lot of late meetings at home. But I am going to get in as many hours as possible. I ran another 1.25 miles. Thought I was going to die, but I did it!

valstar · 02-22-2008, 10:09 AM

Hello All, still plugging at a way at my challenge but I don't think I will make it. We finally got some snow here and I think I am staying in today. I have a walking away the pounds DVD so I will do that today.

Take care!

Frangipani · 02-22-2008, 10:27 AM

Hi Val and Salsa,

You are both doing so incredibly well. February is a tough month because it's short and we all set our sights pretty high this month. I think if there is ever a time to cut ourselves a little slack this is it..........

Keep up the awesome work ladies

!

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge

16/28 Exercise Sessions
(11 Cardio, 2 Core strength and flexibility, 3 Weight training)

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

lessnless · 02-22-2008, 11:10 AM

I'm joining you guys--what a group of cards... "Elipto-kill"... Toooooo cute...

I joined a gym last week. This is my first gym experience--I'm a big hulking girl with lots of muscle under my fat, and I've always hated the idea of standing next to all those willowy size-nothing chicks you see in the commercials.

So I joined a women's gym, and guess what?--it's all bigger/older/slower gals, just regular people. No makeup, grunt/sweat away to your heart's content. If they'd shown THIS on the commercials, I'd have joined years ago.

I'm addicted to the treadmill--it's like a video game for your feet! I thought I was doing GREAT, until I read about you guys doing 1.5 hours or 10K. I'm not nearly ready for that yet!

I'm trying to increase my cardiac endurance so that I can run consistently, so here's my 55-minute routine. I'm never sore after, but I AM breathing hard after each running interval. Any advice from you "gym-rats" would be appreciated...

Treadmill:
15 minutes/3 rounds of:
walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile)
run 2 min @ 5mph (12 min mile)

5 minutes/1 round of:
walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile)
run 2 min @ 6mph (10 min mile)

Strength Training for 15 minutes, alternating upper and lower

Treadmill:
15 minutes/3 rounds of:
walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile)
run 2 min @ 5mph (12 min mile)

5 minutes/1 round of:
walk 3 min @ 3.8mph (15.7 min mile)
run 2 min/ @ 6mph (10 min mile)

salsa1877 · 02-22-2008, 01:38 PM

Lessnless - That sounds fantastic to me. So to clarify my routine, I do NOT do 1.5 hours on the treadmill. I guess I will just give you my routine. I don't do it by time, but rather by distance, but I stay on the treadmill for 1 hour.

Each lap is .25 miles.

Lap 1 - 3.5 mph
Lap 2-6 (1.25 miles) - I run (Start at 5 mph and then vary it, sometimes hitting 6 mph)
Lap 3- 3.5 mph
Lap 4 - 4.0 mph
Lap 5 - 4.0 mph Incline 2
Lap 6 - 4.0 mph incline 4
Lap 7 - 4.0 mphs incline 6
Lap 8 - 4.0 mph incline 8
Lap 9 - 4.0 mph incline 6
Lap 10- lap ? (until my time runs out) - 3.7-4.0 mph incline 4

I usually end up doing 4.5 miles.

Then I do the bicycle or eliptical for .5 hours. While I know I need to do weight training, I am focusing on cardio right now. I want to get into the habit of doing cardio because lifting weights is the part I like, cardio is not. So I am getting in the habit of doing the cardio. Once I plateau or hit my goal, that is when I am going to incorporate weights.

My goal for the gym everyday is to burn off the calories that I had eaten so far. That way I have a little bit of leniency for dinner.

Frangipani · 02-22-2008, 06:29 PM

Hi Lessnless,

Welcome! Glad you're joining us!!!!

It sounds like you're off to a very good start. I noticed that a number of LBT exercisers are participating in a "Couch to 5K program" to get themselves started with running. Here's the link that outlines the program in detail:

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

It seems like a pretty good plan.

Whosyadaddy, we haven't heard from you lately. Check in when you have a chance -- we miss you! Are you out on the road this week? Didn't you start out with the Couch to 5K program?

I did one hour of weight training today (legs/lower body) and one hour of cardio.

Have a great night everyone!

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge

18/28 Exercise Sessions
(12 Cardio, 2 Core strength & flexibility, 4 Weight training)

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

whosyadaddy · 02-22-2008, 08:01 PM

Yep i am late chcecking in .. I was on the road all week back today. I did manage to do at least a 5k everyday. Today i did extra and went 5 miles (5k is 3.1) and did 1/2 mile swim.

Yes i did start with the couch to 5k program.

I would be no way doing 5k's without it. Glad to see you guys hanging in there.

I think i may have broke my 3 week plauteu but dont want to speak to soon.

Frangipani · 02-23-2008, 05:59 PM

Hey W. Daddy, welcome back and congrats on breaking through your plateau!

With all the hard work you've been doing I am sure that you have been losing weight all along even though the scale wasn't showing it. Still, I know how good it feels to see the scale moving downward again.

I got one hour of cardio in today.

Have a great night everyone!!!

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge

19/28 Exercise Sessions
(13 Cardio, 2 Core strength and flexibility, 4 Weight training)

Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

TexasBecky · 02-23-2008, 10:43 PM

Hey Everybody, I see we're all still plugging away at the February challenge. For anyboy who doesn't quite make it this month, give yourself a break. How much exercise were you doing last February? We've all made great progress and we can't always be perfect. The important thing is that we're making exercise a regular part of our lives - finding ways to work it into the schedule. Now that's an achievement.

Lessnless, so glad you're joining us. I see that you live in my neck of the woods. Your exercise routine looks great to me. It seems like you're covering all the bases. I've had a lifetime of failed attempts at making exercise a regular part of my routine, but I feel like things are so different this time. I'm actually getting addicted to the way it makes me feel.

Hi Frangi, It sounds like you're feeling good again. I'm glad you had a quick recovery and are going strong again. I'm still getting comfortable with the strength training. I'm following a program called Strong Women Stay Young by Miriam E. Nelson, PhD. It is based on her research at Tufts. I think it is just what I need right now. I've been spending a lot of time at the rehab facility with my mom (yes, she's still there for a few more days) and that has definately further motivated me to want to get strong. Like mom, most of the patients are recovering from falls that resulted in broken bones. I don't want to grow frail as I age and I'm learning that it doesn't have to be that way. Thanks for the encouragement to add the weight training Frangi. I think its going to make a big difference.

Valstar, I'm sorry that you've been having a rough time lately. You have such a busy life and I can only imagine how hard it is to lose your mother. I hope the journaling will help. I think that was a great suggestion that Pizzi made. We should probably all be journaling. This is a huge transition we are all going through right now. Anyway, keep exercising. You know it will make you feel better.

Salsa & Whosya, you two are rock stars as usual!

I did an hour of cardio today, an hour of yard work, and a session with the weights. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everybody.

Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge
17/20 Cardio Sessions
6/8 Weight Sessions

salsa1877 · 02-24-2008, 01:23 AM

Got in 2 workout sessions today. First I went to the gym as normal and did my 1.5 hours and then we walked from one end of town to the other (my car wouldn't start so this was not a planned workout!). It was about a 3 mile walk. While it wasn't as fast as I normally would do I a claiming my full 3 hours of workout today!

On a good note it was weigh in day and I was down another 1.5 pounds!!!!

salsa1877 · 02-24-2008, 01:24 AM

Oh and Becky the only exercise that I was getting last February was bicep curls. Yep a lot of reps of fast food from my lap to the mouth! Didn't seem to work as well as the new workout!

Dave01 · 02-24-2008, 06:18 AM

You all are doing great. I've been out on the boat for a month, but managed to get in a workout each day, but not as much walking as I like to. Back home for a month now so back to the walking I go. Boy did I miss this place while at work........