Happy May Everyone!

Time for a new exercise challenge thread. This thread is open to anyone -- you don't have to be an August 07 bandster to join us.

I have two personal goals for May. Number one is to finally join the rest of you "speedy banditos" in the 100 pound club. I am only 5 pounds away, which means that if I don't make it, something is definitely wrong. That said, the pounds are coming off much more slowly nowadays, so I will need to work hard and stay very focused.

This brings me to goal number 2, which is to start running this month. I bought myself a comfortable pair of running shoes while I was in Miami, and will begin the Couch to 5K running schedule in the next few days.

I don't see myself ever running a marathon (I have too many other interests to distract me from doing that much training), but perhaps at some point I will do a shorter race. Also there is always the 8 Tuff Miles on St. John, which I plan to participate in next year.

Good luck with your goals, and have a happy and healthy month!!!!

Got in some extra Trikke riding tonight and hit the weights for 45 min. I will be feeling it tomorrow though. Cable crunches, butterflies, lat pulldowns and tricep presses all done. Time for another night ride around the neighborhood. Its become a nightly routine at 930, when its nice and cool out.

Wow, that's great Karri!

I did another Couch to 5k workout tonight. I can only dream of running 4 miles, but someday. :frown:

My original goal was 2 straight miles by my bandiversary. Then it was 5 straight miles...and even though I haven't reached that level yet (I will surpass it Sunday with a 6 mile run) my NEW goal is 13.1 miles by my bandiversary! (Well actually the goal needs to happen 1 month and 10 days before my bandiversary!)

I started out small and it has now become addicting!

You are doing great!

Becky, you go girl! You always do really great with these challenges.

In fact you are my original exercise role model.

I got my hour of cardio in today. I did not do my second session of Couch to 5K, because I'm plateauing again and I wanted to do longer cardio to (hopefully) break through it.

Have a great night everyone!

I have not looked at the couch to 5K program, but my bet is that it will help BREAK the plateau. Sometimes short but high intensity workouts will "shock" your body and it will release the fat faster. I have found that even though I am not supposed to be losing any more weight that I lost another pound last week and I think it was because I changed my routine.. Your body gets used to what you are doing and it becomes more efficient and therefore less able to burn as many calories as it has in the beginning.

Hi everyone,

I didn't get to post last night. I did my 4.5 miles in record time. Funny though, the scale is up again!!! I am up 2.4 lbs. What a mood that put me in this morning. I have to get back to basics. I actually had a Dr appt yesterday morning. He told me that some folks just lose much quicker than others and to hang in there. I look at your numbers and it kills me. I must try harder!!! I will never give up thanks to all the support I get here!!

LadyBug, I know how you feel. My weight is stuck, or maybe my scale is broken...LOL

I got in a good amount of walking this morning, then some Trikking, which was hard because of the wind today. One way was real easy, but then I had to make it back to the car. Boy did a taxi ride sound good, but I got determined and survived.

I think I totalled about 6 miles walking and 11 on the Trikke. Gotta save some for the night workout program.......Dave

So I am going to post here so that you all hold me accountable...I am going to run 4 miles tonight and follow that with a 6 mile walk. You had all better be YELLING at me tomorrow if I don't do that. I know you are thinking "How can I yell at someone if they run 4 miles and do ANY walking". Well that is the brutality of training. It takes blood, sweat and tears. I am hoping to not have any blood tonight but I will guarantee the sweat and tears. I expect PM up the wazooo tomorrow if I don't make it. You are my exercise family and I expect the same tough love that I would give you!

Thanks for caring about me.

So I am going to post here so that you all hold me accountable...I am going to run 4 miles tonight and follow that with a 6 mile walk. You had all better be YELLING at me tomorrow if I don't do that. I know you are thinking "How can I yell at someone if they run 4 miles and do ANY walking". Well that is the brutality of training. It takes blood, sweat and tears. I am hoping to not have any blood tonight but I will guarantee the sweat and tears. I expect PM up the wazooo tomorrow if I don't make it. You are my exercise family and I expect the same tough love that I would give you!

Thanks for caring about me.

I have a lot of faith that you will make your goal tonight, but if by some chance you dont, get ready........

Wow, a 4 mile run in itself would do me in, since I'm not a runner at all.

Good luck tonight....Dave

Go Salsa!! You can do it!! We all have faith in you!:biggrin:

Well, as my long-suffering DH will tell you, nagging is truly my specialty, so no problem Salsa -- I'm happy to jump on your case any time :thumbup:!

Thanks for the advice regarding changing up my routine. I know that's a good idea, it's just that this long cardio worked so well for me for so long, I hesitate change it, even though I know I must sometimes.

Double-header Thursday tonight. 30 minutes pilates/abdominals class, and a one hour Yoga class.

Enjoy your evening everyone!

Sorry Frangi...no nagging...and no nasty emails from everyone else. I did my 10 miles. I ran 4, walked 5 and ran the last one...Yes that is right you don't need contacts...I ran the last mile.

My legs hurt like HELL. But I feel on top of the world. I am convinced that while this half-marathon will not be EASY, it is most certainly doable. The worst part of the entire thing was how long it took. (2 hours 9 minutes). The best part of the entire thing was that according to the machines I burned over 1000 calories. I had to start the treadmill 3 times!

OMG Salsa! You just blow me away. You've turned into a real athlete. You must be so proud of yourself. I know I'm sure proud of you. Keep it up!

Dave and Jody, I don't understand how your weight can be stalled as much as you both work out. I think you need to just stay off of the scales. They lie, lie, lie.

I did my hour of cardio this morn. I plan to be back posting weight training later today.

Crazy Ates MayExercise Challenge

6/20 Cardio Sessions 1/8 Weight Training

I just returned from session #2 of Couch to 5 K. This time I went to the track at one of the local high schools.

Have I told you guys I hate running? Well, I do........

BUT!

I am determined to stick it out until I am 100% certain that I hate it.

2/3 of the way through my workout I got a nice, big blister from my new running shoes too :smile:...........

EOW (end of whine).

Have a good one everybody!

:smile::smile::w00t:

Aw, sorry to hear about the blister. That's no fun. Definitely get one of those blister bandaids; they are amazing.

Today I'll do my last "first week" workout for Couch to 5k. I can't wait -- I love running.

You know what I love best about the first few weeks of starting up running again? How fast we progress from panting and wheezing and legs-of-lead to being able to run comfortably. It's soo cool. :smile:

10 miles. WTG Salsa!! Yes, I hope to have my progression be 5k, then 10k, then half-marathon. But for now I'll just focus on being able to run 60 secs / walk 90. That's hard enough! :smile:

Aw, sorry to hear about the blister. That's no fun. Definitely get one of those blister bandaids; they are amazing.

Today I'll do my last "first week" workout for Couch to 5k. I can't wait -- I love running.

You know what I love best about the first few weeks of starting up running again? How fast we progress from panting and wheezing and legs-of-lead to being able to run comfortably. It's soo cool. :smile:

10 miles. WTG Salsa!! Yes, I hope to have my progression be 5k, then 10k, then half-marathon. But for now I'll just focus on being able to run 60 secs / walk 90. That's hard enough! :smile:

That is how I started. I too love running now. I don't love training but the races make it all worth it. The feeling is INCREDIBLE!

I didn't work out today as I have found that I MUST have a rest day after doing that amount. MY BUTT IS KILLING ME! You would think it would be my feet, my knees, my legs...nope...my butt! Buns of steel here I come!

WIll check in tomorrow after my 1 hour cardio workout!

Hi Everyone - I'm BACK!

Sorry I haven't posted in 2 weeks (at least!) but it's been a busy time! Bungee, my aunt and I made it safely to La Jolla, and I finished my first week on the job. It's all really going very well, and we're settling in nicely (probably even more once the movers finally deliver my stuff). But I digress...

Now that we're in this lovely seaside neighborhood, poochie and I are having a great time with walks morning and night. It's not speed walking by any means (or jogging like the amazing Salsa - go girl!), but we do get a short walk in every morning by the sea (with stops to watch the baby seals and surfers), and a nice long walk in every night. Bungee loves it because all the tourists and locals alike stop to pet him, share their gelato and hand out doggie treats. He's getting pretty spoiled and loves every minute of it! A lot of the stores nearby let dogs in too, so it can be fun if we're strolling for fun.

In the long run, it means we are out wandering a LOT, even if we're not pushing hard. I have no idea if I've lost since the scale is on a truck somewhere between MN and CA, but things feel looser, and I definitely feel a workout in my legs and bum when we're up and down all the stairs and hills around here (as well as the weekend romps at the dog beaches).

We haven't made a lot of friends yet but are definitely socializing and enjoying our new home. Yay!!

Anyway, it's great to see you're all doing so well - keep up the great work!