Hey fitness freaks....and wannabe freaks. Time for the November installment of the fitness challenge. To try to be more inclusive and get more participation, I'm going to open things up in a new way.

The point of this challenge is to set a goal for yourself for the month of November. A fitness goal which will be challenging.....slightly more than you know you can do, more than you did last month. The goal needs to be a concrete measurable goal. The goal can be miles run, walked, biked, swam, ellipted or paddled....or a combination of all of them. But it can also be a goal of hours of exercise. 30 hours of exercise in a month is a challenging goal for many people. It can also be a specific exercise if you prefer....like 3000 squats and 1000 push-ups. Whatever it is, make it challenging, not easy. As I always say, growth and comfort cannot coexist. You want to be slightly uncomfortable. The goal should challenge you...make you slightly nervous as to whether or not you can reach it. Then....GO FOR IT!

Introduce yourself and spell out your goal for the month. Then come back here everyday or as often as you can and update the group as to your current progress toward your goal. Whether or not you make your goal is not the point. The point is to push yourself just a little further than you thought you could go.

I'll start. I'm only 4 weeks post op from my TT so not back to 100% yet, but I anticipate getting stronger as the month goes on. So my goal for November is to walk/run 60 miles. That's double what I'm going to do this month, so a challenging goal. Wish me luck.

Please join in and get moving.

Hey everyone. You're all doing great. Let's close out the month with a bang and burn off the last of the turkey day damage.

I'll start a December challenge thread here today. Any suggestions/changes/updates you guys would like to add to next months challenge?

GOALS were:

1. Complete 1 mile fun run with kiddos - DONE! And it was GREAT! The kids (ages 5 and 8) completed the run with only moderate complaining! LOL! Maybe I will try a 5k next spring?! I KNOW I can do it!

2. One hour of exercise per day - well, less success here...but I DID exercise 19 out of 30 days this month for an average of 44 minutes per session.

Proud of both accomplishments and appreciated being able to participate in the challenge!

Hey everyone. You're all doing great. Let's close out the month with a bang and burn off the last of the turkey day damage. I'll start a December challenge thread here today. Any suggestions/changes/updates you guys would like to add to next months challenge?

I thought the way you set it up this time worked great. I've no changes to recommend.

Finished out the month with a 9.5 mile run today. Oh my aching glutes. So my mileage for the month was 87.2. I'm happy with that considering I'm 2 months post op today. I'm going to up my mileage goal of December to at least 120 plus add in a swimming goal as I'm trying to swim 3 times a week in preparation to do a triathlon next summer. I'll wait till later in the day to stay the December thread in case anyone has any suggestions they want to make. Or if someone else really really wants to start the thread, speak up. It doesn't matter to me who does it.

Finished the month at 131.23 miles of running with 5-10 miles of rowing (did not track, but did at least 500 m a day up to 2000 m in a session about once a week). Most days averaging 2-3 miles of fast runs / sprints, but also got in some big 10-15 slower mile days and even 1 20 mile day. Averaged 4-5 workouts a week of high intensity cross fit stuff (15-30 m in length, most being around 12-18 m) in addition to 20-30 m of warm up, 20-3o minutes of strength and skill building and 20-30 minutes of mobility (stretching, roller and lacrosse ball mashing). I enjoy doing some mobility work also while watching TV or a movie. Feels good to get the tightness out of the hips and upper back. Fish oil really helps daily also to combat inflammation (4-5 g). I have stopped taking nsaids for soreness, especially doms, after reading it puts a damper on the muscle and tendon recovery process. Did not know that. Now I try and really focus on quality mobility work to relieve any aches, even that not related to exercise. I dropped about 5 lb this month and am at 172, but my strength has gone way up with a much better eye towards posture and protection of core movement when walking, running, lifting and sitting. I feel very stable and fit going into December. Looking forward to another month of improving fitness. Good luck everyone in your fitness and weight goals. A little exercise daily (30m-1 hour) is really good for the psyche and overall well being. It will raise your spirits and put you in a good mood, as well as make you more productive at work, at home or on projects. It just makes you feel good and ready to take on the day. Currently enjoying sunny California in Santa Cruz area, touring the towering redwoods, golden gate bridge, fantastic beaches, etc in the afternoon and some cross fit in the morning at a local cross fit gym while on vacation.

I have not met my goal for this month. Between surgery #2 and a cold I have not been as active as I planned. Cold is still hanging around but getting a lot better. Will be walking today outside and hopefully tomorrow if the weather cooperates. I get to resume bike riding on 12/16 so that will help.

I also am back in school with a mid-term next Saturday and a final on January 12. After the 1st of the year I will use my company's wellness reimbursement to pay for my gym membership.

I met my goal to reduce flare ups by not overdoing it. Unfortunately that meant--you guessed it, not overdoing it So I didn't make my goal of 60 miles, I did make 48.

I did plank, made it to 100s. And I stayed moving whenever I could. I went from 4 bad flare ups the previous month to 1 bad and 1 moderate one so I'm happy. And I'm looking forward to being a part of the December thread!

Ok finished the month strong with 5 miles today, MTD -108 miles and 12 sessions of strength training, still having hip issues but I'm in for December when you get it started. For December's goals will go for over 100 miles walking again, going to add a yoga class at the gym, hope it will help with the flexability, hope it will help with the hip. Will continue with the strength training classes.(I'm tired already just thinking about it!)

Hello friends, I finished the month at 98.37 miles...my goal was 75 so I am very happy with myself. I took the last couple of days off from exercise I was just to wore out. 2, 6 day work weeks back to back and my sleep was all jacked up. So when I crashed thursday night I barely made it to work on Friday evening. I did get in exercise shopping a little and getting the christmas tree up and decorated, but no official milage. So lets get December started!!!!

3.9 miles on this last day of the month. That put my total at 123.15 miles. I fell short of my goal by about 7 miles but that's ok. Still better than parking my butt on the couch.

Great job this month everyone. Hope everyone joins us again next month.

Ok folks. The December challenge is up and running.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/289757-december-fitness-challenge/#entry3262388

6 miles yesterday, finished the month at 101 miles!

Took another 35 min walk yesterday. I will be participating again in December. Great job every one! Tally ho!

Ended at 165.3, 10 short of my 175 goal. I knew it was going to happen, and I'm ok with it. I did go running (on Thanksgiving day) while visiting my family SO that was a huge win for me!

I *really* want to do this - I'm in the midst of the 3-month stall and need to kick things up a notch. I'm starting a new job on Monday so not sure how life is going to shake out, but I can commit to upping my weights 10 lbs., biking 100 miles, and 15 hours of walking.

Managed the 10lb. increase, then started a completely new kettleball routine so no idea where I am now. :-)

Very little biking but I started couch to 5k and I'm running 2.5 miles every other day.

Easily passed the walking goal, by about 20 hours.