21 Day Exercise Challenge, Week #2.

[lindrusso]

Thought maybe we could have a fresh thread each week?

Anyway, I got in about 30 minutes of weight training today. I hoped to do more, but my muscles were really tired (time of day?) and we are mired in science projects that are due on Tuesday.

My biggest challenge this week will be getting in my exercise tomorrow - it's our last night to work on science projects so I have to do it in the morning for sure. My plan at this moment is to at least take Bailey for a walk in the morning.

I hope to up the workouts by Tuesday - I'm planning on doing an aerobics class while DS does his Tae Kwon Do class at the YMCA. I'll get my youngest to nag me - he loves to play in the gym while I exercise.

If it weren't for this challenge, I'd definitely be bagging out by now!

Alysha :)
8/8

[Goin' Coastal]

Tday was going to be a challenge, because I had to work odd hours and knew I wouldn't get it in before or after. So I just did it at work. I have my steps plan, and I measured my "route" by counting steps. Each "loop" is right around 200 steps, so 10 loops is a mile. Today I did 20 loops, so that was 2 miles plus 420 steps. I couldn't do it all at once, but every time I went near the stockroom, I did 3 or 4 loops at least. I did lots of other walking at work today, so I feel I can call this 8 fo 8!

[Peggy]

Today DH and I went on a 6-mile hike. Great to be able to exercise outdoors inbetween the storms. 8/8

Peggy

[HARRYET]

HI everyone,

Alysha, good idea to start a weekly thread, the other one was getting quite long. Also, I hear you regarding stepping up your workouts, I need to do the same, but all in all something is better then nothing, and nothing is probably what I'd be doing if it wasn't for this challenge.

Today, DH and I went to the gym, I got in 40 minutes of upper body weights and abs, then 30 minutes of cardio.

Tomorrow will be difficult, as I'm painting all day tomorrow, and have plans in the early evening. I will at least try and get in a quick walk.

Ann 8/9

[clairea]

Yesterday I rode bikes with the kids for about an hour, and I just got back from this morning's walk. I am really enjoying the warm weather we have been having, but that is about to end, and I have feeling it is going to be a lot harder to get out early in the morning when it gets cold again, but on the days I teach that is the only chance I have to go so I will just have to deal:) Of course, teaching 2 year olds isn't exactly a sedentary job either;)

Claire
10/10

[srahndennis]

Up at 5:00 a.m. this morning for 3.5 miles on the treadmill. Been a long time since I got up on a Monday!! I'm 10/10 and feel better than I have in a long time. This has really helped to jump start the new year!!

[lindrusso]

Took Bailey on a 30-minute walk this morning, so I'm 9/9.

I'm beginning to feel tired. I don't think it's the exercise because although I've exercised more days in a row than usual, I haven't been doing big workouts. But my body is definitely feeling a bit off. Probably the stress of these darned science projects! :D My older son was able to do most of it on his own, but my younger son needed LOTS of help. And I get stressed when things are getting down to the wire....

Anyway, the scale is down and I feel like I'm finally headed in the right direction. I've also managed to track my calories 9/9 days too, so it's been a double accomplisment for me. :)

Alysha

[Goin' Coastal]

9 for 9! Just finished 30 min/2 miles on the treadmill and 12 minutes on the Nordic Track. Got a bit of a sweat going on!

[krhm]

I'm back!

I'm almost embarassed to be posting this since everyone is doing so well, but I knew it would be impossible to get all 21 days in since we were traveling. We did a TON of walking in Orlando, so I feel justified in counting all three days of theme parks as exercise. Nothing for the two driving days though; we were pretty much in the car from sunup to sunset!

Today I am back on my regular schedule of gym visits and walking, and I also started the daily 8 minute workouts. It's great to see everyone hanging in there...very inspirational!

Kari
7/10

[AZLorena]

Well, yesterday I didn't exercise. I got caught up in my day and just plain forgot. I will be going to a new gym tonight. I have my clothes with me...so, after tonight I will be 9/10. I am going to add an extra day at the end...to earn my reward.

Lorena

[AZLorena]

officially 9/10. I went to the gym and did some cardio. I will follow up with some weights after I finish a few things around the house.

Lorena

[Peggy]

Today it was 33 minutes on the Nordic Track. 9/9

Peggy

[srahndennis]

Step aerobics this morning. 11/11!

[Peggy]

Today it was a four-mile walk. 10/10

Peggy

[Goin' Coastal]

My halo is glowing today! Went to the gym this morning and did 20 min. on the elliptical and the cicuit of machines for strength training. This afternoon I did 45 min. on the treadmill while I watched Oprah. I am feeling very virtuous! (I can feel it, I am not sure I can spell it!)

[lindrusso]

30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes of weight training.

Alysha
10/10

[lisalee]

walked the dogs this morning, and did lots of power walking as I went around the hallways at school today! (have to admit that I took sunday off and didn't exercise at all, although monday the dogs and I were back out walking and I went to the gym)
Lisa

[AZLorena]

10/11 today. Still have not managed to step it up too much....but I did get in 40 minutes of arms and abs tonight.

Lorena

[kwormann]

Hello all

I have been MIA. We went to IN, where I did get a walk in, in the snow :), but have been sick since :(. I do plan to pick it up and do my 21 days when the acheness goes away...

[clairea]

Well, that thud you heard was me falling off the wagon yesterday. I didn't sleep well Monday night and just couldn't get out of bed yesterday morning, and then after teaching and taking both of my kids (including one who was sick) downtown to the courthouse to pay a traffic ticket that DH forgot, I just couldn't get motivated. I am going to go for a walk this morning after I take DD to school, which will make me 11/12.

Claire

[krhm]

Still hanging in there! I missed yesterday (a 12 hour day for me), but did a 25 minute walk and the 8 minute workout routine today. That makes me 8/12. Hey...that's still 75% though! :D

Kari

[Goin' Coastal]

A big thank you to everyone here!! I just finished 3 miles on the treadmill and I know I would not have done it today if it were not for this challenge. Still at 100%

[srahndennis]

Yoga this morning. 12/12!

[Peggy]

Today I left the Nordic Track at home and went real cross-country skiing for a few hours. Great to be outside in the beautiful snow!:cool: 11/11

Peggy

[clairea]

I walked this morning. 12/13.

Claire

[Goin' Coastal]

I'm impressed Clair! Posting at 7:30 am and you already have your exercise in for the day1

[lindrusso]

A big congrats to those of you who have missed a day or two and are still posting and still going at it - it's so much more important to keep at it than to worry about a missed day here or there. As long as you don't let the setbacks derail you completely, you are doing very well. :)

Blech. It is so wet and gloppy outside (lotsa rain on top of almost a foot of snow), no walking around here today! But I did manage to walk Bailey for 30 minutes last night, so that makes me 11/11.

Keep at it everyone!

Alysha :)

[srahndennis]

Three miles on the treadmill this morning! DS coughed a lot last night so I didn't get much sleep - but still go up to exercise!! DH said he didn't know whether to admire me or fear me - ha!!

[Peggy]

Today it was 25 minutes on the Nordic Track. 12/12

Peggy

[Goin' Coastal]

12/12!! Did 30 minutes on the elliptical at the gym plus the weight circuit. Also got in 10 flights of steps at work. :)

[HARRYET]

Well I've kind of fallen off the wagon!

Mon, Tues & Wed I didn't do any formal working out. But I did paint for 6 hrs Mon, 4 hrs Tues, and cleaned for 4 1/2 hrs Wed.

Today I did a 60 min pilates class and walked for 30 mins. As of now I'm 9/13. But I'm still optimistic as this is much better then what I have been doing.

Ann

[lindrusso]

Did an aerobics class tonight and it kicked my a$$! I definitely need to do this more - I've been going too easy on myself!

Alysha
12/12

[krhm]

Missed yesterday because of a blow-up at work (I was planning on trying out a spin class too, and I had even made it halfway to work that morning when I realized that I left my shoes on the stairs at home, so I went all the way back home for them! :) )

To "make up" for it today, I'm doing 30 minutes on the treadmill before a 60 minute Pilates class! :eek: I'm sure I will be dragging myself out to the car. We plan on hiking this weekend so it should be easy enough to get in both days.

Kari
9/14

[srahndennis]

Yoga today - 14/14!

[clairea]

I just got back from a walk. 13/14.

Claire

[lindrusso]

Walked Bailey for 30 minutes. Brrrrrrr it's cold. Again, if not for this challenge..... :)

Alysha
13/13

[Goin' Coastal]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lindrusso
[B]Walked Bailey for 30 minutes. Brrrrrrr it's cold. Again, if not for this challenge..... :)

Alysha - I am sure you are burning twice as many calories walking in the cold!

I went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the elliptical and the weight circuit. 13/13!!

This challenge is really helping to keep me honest!

[HARRYET]

I went for a 3 mile walk today, so i'm 10/14

Ann

[Peggy]

I also went on a 3-mile walk today. 13/13

Peggy

[AZLorena]

Well, I have decided to start fresh on this onr. This week has been really tough for getting exercise in.....and I feel like I am just doing the bare minimum......I am going to start over today with a new attitude.

Lorena

[Goin' Coastal]

I am so proud of myself!!:p I have exercised every day this month. Did 2mi/30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the Nordic Track this morning. Thanks for helping me keep the momentum going!

We have a trip planned to CA the end of March and I really would like to go thinner! My goal is 8 pounds per month in Jan, Feb, and March. If I exercise daily, I hope to make my goal!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by AZLorena
This week has been really tough for getting exercise in.....and I feel like I am just doing the bare minimum......I am going to start over today with a new attitude.


Hang in there Lorena, you can do it!

Did a 45-minute weight and cardio workout at the Y today.

Alysha
14/14

[HARRYET]

Today DH and I went to the gym. I did abs and lower body weights for about 40 minutes, then 20 minutes on the bike and 30 on the treadmill.

I really wanted to cave, but DH reminded me how good it feels when all is said and done. I have to agree!

Keep up the good work everyone!

Ann

[clairea]

I walked yesterday and today, so I am 15/16. I definitely wouldn't have gone today if not for this challenge.

Claire

[Goin' Coastal]

30 min/2 mi on the treadmill. Whew - didn't think I was going to get it in today

[Meg O'C]

Checking in for the first time this week. All heck broke loose at work this past week. I only managed 3 days of walking (one day was 45 minutes), so I am 7/15 - not great but I can tell you it's better than if I wasn't shooting for every day. I hope week 3 will be my best week yet! I have some good role models in all of you! ;)

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by clairea
I definitely wouldn't have gone today if not for this challenge.
Claire

Same here. I got caught up in all kinds of cooking and was quite tired, but I did manage to take Bailey on a 30-minute walk. Not quite the gym workout I had planned, but it was something! Tomorrow will be even more challenging!!!

Alysha :)

[AZLorena]

we have been painting a major portion of our house. I am counting that for yesterday and today.

Lorena 2/2 (on my new start)

[clairea]

BRRRR. I walked this morning. Our warm weather is gone, and it was 22 out. My thin southern blood isn't used to that -- hats off to those of you who have to deal with that all winter long and still get out and exercise!

Claire
16/17

[Goin' Coastal]

40 minutes on the treadmill and 15 on the Nordic Track. I decided if I am going to realize my weight loss goals I am going to have to do a minimum of 45 min a day, preferably getting closer to an hour.

[lindrusso]

Another bare minimum day for me - 20 minutes of Pilates. Actually, I've really been wanting to get back into Pilates again, so it's good that I'm doing it, I just need to do more than that. I didn't expect to be home this afternoon (keeps spitting snow and a police officer said the roads are bad so I canceled a trip), so mabye I can still fit in a walk with Bailey, but it's unlikely.....

Alysha
15/15

[srahndennis]

17/17! Step aerobics on Saturday, yoga Sunday and 3.5 miles on the treadmill this morning. I really feel great! Definatley hoping to keep this up......

[krhm]

12/17 for me! We walked Saturday and Sunday, and then today I did the "energy" workout from CL Jan. 05 since I was home with my kids today. We also walked a little today. It is cold for us here (17) but I know that's nothing compared to some of you!

[HARRYET]

Sunday DH and I went to the gym, did upper body weights, 20 mins on the bike. After the N.E. Patriots game (YeeHaw!!! go Pats) I went for a 2 mile walk.

Today I went for a 45 m in walk.

Tomorrow will be difficult, but I will try my hardest to at least get is a walk.

As of today I'm 13/17

Ann

[AZLorena]

6 more hours of painting today.....making sure to squat to reach paint...and to do low parts. My thighs and quads hurt so I know that they got a good workout today.

Lorena

3/3

[srahndennis]

Yoga this morning - 18/18!

[Goin' Coastal]

Well, I almost blew it off today. It wasn't a great day at work, and when I pulled into the parking lot at the gym after work. it was really crowded, so I said "heck with it" and went home. I was reading the paper when DH called and said he'd be late because of a meeting, so I told myself I might as well go downstairs and do the treadmill. So I did - relunctantly - but I felt great when I got 40 minutes in. I was watching Oprah After the Show and she was talking about turning 50 and how someone had told her the 50's were the years to accomplish what she hadn't yet. She was talking in terms of good health. She said if you wait until your 60's you might as well forget it. I felt like she was talking right to me as I had turned 51 this year,

[Goin' Coastal]

This is what I was trying to say above!


Quote of the Day

"Maya Angelou had said to me before I turned 50 that 50's are everything you were meant to be. It's everything you've been meaning to do. This is the decade where you pull it all together or it's over."
— Oprah

[AZLorena]

4/4 for yesterday. Today I am going walking with a group from school. We will do 4.5 miles. So, I will be 5/5 after today.

Lorena

[lindrusso]

Well, somewhere along the way, I lost a day - probably because sometimes I post on the day I complete the exercise, sometimes not until the next day.

ANYWAY, I did a step aerobics class last night and as of yesterday, I was 17/17.

I'm kind of bummed. I'm close to hitting the 21/21, but just realized that on Saturday I have an all day scrapbook workshop 9-9. I'm considering going in a bit late (no way I'll get up early to exercise on a Saturday) and try to at least get in 20 minutes of Pilates so that I won't miss my goals on the very last day! I would be bummed! We're supposed to get significant snowfall on Friday night, so maybe the workshop will be canceled anyway.....I can always work at home.....

I plan to shovel later today to bring me up to 18/18.

Alysha :)

[krhm]

14/19 for me. I stopped by the gym last night and rode the bike for 35 minutes, and this morning I did the CL circuit training from Jan. 05 again. I really like that routine...it keeps my heart rate up, plus I can really feel the exercises in my arms and legs. I added 2 sets of crunches since I wanted to get some abs in as well.

Kari

[srahndennis]

Step aerobics this morning - 19/19! Weighed in yesterday and I'm down 2.2 lbs! Very nice to see some results!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by srahndennis
Step aerobics this morning - 19/19! Weighed in yesterday and I'm down 2.2 lbs! Very nice to see some results!

Good for you! :) I think I'm down a couple pounds too.

I did 1 hour and 20 minutes of shoveling and according to FitDay, that's 400 calories burned.

Forget the hot chocolate, though, I'm havin' a beer! :D

Alysha
18/18

[Goin' Coastal]

I am still at 100% - went to the gym today and did the elliptical for 35 min. I am worried about Sat. too, as we are going to the boat show in Cleveland w/ friends and leaving about 8am. I don't care how good my intentions are - there is NO WAY I am getting up early enough to exercise before we go. I will be walking around the boat show for several hours - will that count? :)

[AZLorena]

I am 5/5....I did a 4.5 mile walk this afternoon.

Lorena

[srahndennis]

3.5 miles on the treadmill this morning! It's the first time I've run 3 miles without a walk break in quite a while. And it wasn't as tough as it usually is (running doesn't come naturally to me!). 20/20!

[Goin' Coastal]

45 minutes on the treadmill today

[lindrusso]

No aerobics as planned, but I did a full upper-body workout. My shoulders are sore - the only leftover effects from shoveling for 1 1/2 hours yesterday - not bad!

Alysha
19/19

[srahndennis]

Step aerobics today! Yeah - 21/21! I did it - and I feel great! Now to keep it up!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by srahndennis
Step aerobics today! Yeah - 21/21! I did it - and I feel great! Now to keep it up!

Good for you! Hopefully I'll be joining you in your victory celebration by tomorrow.

My scrapbook thing was canceled for tomorrow, so I'll be able to get in some sort of exercise. Probably Pilates as we are supposed to get a big snow storm and probably won't be able to get to the YMCA or anything like that. And then there's always the shoveling....

Today's plan is to go to the Y after school and get in 30 minutes of cardio and some lower body weight training.

I definitely need to go STRAIGHT from school or I won't go at all - Friday always whispers "cocktail hour" to me, so I can't come home first! :D ;)

Alysha :)

[clairea]

I missed the last 3 days as both kids have been sick and DH has been out of town:( After being up most of the night for several nights, I just couldn't motivate myself to even do some yoga or pilates. I sent everyone back to school today, though, and just got back from a 4 mile walk. I am finishing up 16/21, which is not quite what I had hoped but definitely more than I have been doing the last few months. Most importantly, I have gotten back into the mindset of trying to get some exercise every day, so even if I miss a few days it feels like an aberration.

Claire

[Goin' Coastal]

Did 40 minutes on the elliptical today. I ahve exercised every day this month - amazing! I know I will miss tomorrow as we are going out of town, but I will start afresh next week!

[lindrusso]

Didn't get to the Y yesterday - I decided to take Bailey for a walk instead. I haven't been able to take him out much lately since the roads have been slippery, so when the roads cleared a bit yesterday afternoon, I had to take advantage of it.

I'm not sure what I'll do today. Shoveling the substantial snow we're getting? Maybe Pilates. But something for sure - it's day 21 for me today, so no slacking off now!

Alysha
20/20

[krhm]

Well, I'm 16/21...did ciruit training this morning, and the whole family went biking yesterday. Although I didn't complete the whole 21 days in a row, I also feel like I've ingrained some habits and found some ways to keep me motivated and challenged, so I'm satisfied.

Plus, I did my measurements and I've lost 2 inches off my hips! :D

Kari

[lindrusso]

Well, I just barely got in my 21/21 yesterday, but I did it. I did some toning and ab work - something I tend to neglect when I do cardio and weight training, so I'm glad I did it, but it didn't exactly burn a ton of calories or anything. :)

I planned to take the day off today, but after being in the house all day yesterday and knowing that I may not get any exercise tomorrow, I think I'll go to the Y (assuming they are open) and get in some cardio and weights. Too cold and the roads are too snowy for walking Baiely. We'll have to just let him run around the yard for a little exercise.

Thanks again for starting this Lorena, I definitely needed the kick-start.

Alysha :)
21/21

[srahndennis]

Congratulations to all!! Even if you haven't made the 21 days...yet, just think about the difference made by what you have done!! Keep the momentum going!

I'll see you on the daily exercies threads!!!

[Peggy]

I second the congratulations to everyone that did (or didn't) make the 21-day challenge! I was 18/21. I missed three days in a row when I went down to visit my parents. Had meant to at least get a walk in each day but was tied up helping them and it just never happened. However, I will continue posting on the "Did you exercise today" threads. Keep on exercising!!!:)

Peggy