August Exercise Challenge!

[lindrusso]

Okay, it's a new month, so time to set new goals!

I would like to keep my goal of exercising 20 days. However, 8 of those days MUST be weight training. I've been getting worse and worse about weight training and I don't want to let that part of my workout go - it's the most effective way for me to get in shape and keep the weight off.

I start off the month with a week-long vacation, so exercise will be challenging. I will do weights and a walk today. Hopefully tomorrow morning I can maybe fit in some treadmill at the hotel before we leave. After that, I'll rely on my SIL to get my butt to the gym while we're in NYC. Once we reach PA and my other SIL's house, it will be harder - they don't even really have a decent area to walk - narrow, windy roads. I'll try to drive to their open-air mall and walk there, but again, it will be challenging. At least in NYC I know we'll be walking a lot!

So, what are your goals this month?

[sneezles]

I finished July with 25/31 so I think I'll keep the same amount of days to exercise. My goal would be to be able to walk but I'm just not waking up early enough and by 8:00 it's already over 80º...so I'll probably be on the stationary bike for a few more weeks...oh my achin' rear!
In addition to doing weights 3x a week I'd like to add pushups to the mix (sort of recreation of the pushup challenge we had awhile ago). I also ordered that mummy tummy book so will be incorporating some of those exercises.

[lindrusso]

Sounds like you're doing great Sneezles! Way to go! :)

I'm headed off to walk now. It's not as hot here as it is there, but it's still hard on Bailey. He really drags butt when it's hot! Plus, I need to walk him now before he heads off to the kennel for a week (doggy jail as we like to call it).

[sneezles]

Well, I just flipped the calendar over to August and realize that I may have to re-do my challenge. I'm having my varicose veins ermoved on the 22nd and I know I'll be off my feet for a good 10 days. I'll be able to use crutches but my legs will have to be elevated for most of that time. We're out of town the weekend before (moving DS#3 to his new apt for school...no dorms just campus owned apts). So I'm really looking at 19 days but the fact that I won't have to wear support hose again is well worth it!!

Have a wonderful trip to NYC!

[MaryH]

I'll join. Hit 26/31 for July and if I can keep that up, I'd be pretty happy. ('Course I'd be happier if the clothes size starts to go down as well.)

[Sarah428]

Me too, me too!

I haven't been motivated to do much this summer (especially weights Alysha) and need to have some motivation.

My goals:
at least 30 minutes of movement for 26/31 days
Reinvigorate (sp?) my weight routine and make it challenging!
Focus on upcoming 10K run (start speed work, etc.)

I'm printing out a calendar right now to track my progress!

Sarah

[Kristal]

I'm in again for this month, too. My goal is to exercise 20/31 days in August, with at least 15 of those days spent running. My ultimate goal is to be able to run 10 miles straight by the end of the month. I can do 7 pretty comfortably now.

[Laura]

My goals are pretty lofty this month considering how last month went, but I am shooting for 27/31. I started doing the exercise part of the Oprah boot camp which is 8 workouts a week.

Today I ran for 32 minutes and did upper body weights. I am going to the Y in the morning for a spin class.

Sounds like everyone has great goals for the month, here's to all of us!

[Kristal]

Despite the stiffling heat, I got in a 30 minute run this morning. I'm 1/31 so far. :)

[Laura]

Spin class at 6:15 so I am 2/31. I am going back this afternoon for a walk on the treadmill (at increased incline) and lower body weights. Have a great day everyone!

[Sarah428]

Another 2/31 here!

Yesterday was circuit training for an hour. This morning ran 4.5 miles and then walk the dog for 20 minutes. She'll probably get another short walk tonight.

I made out my routine for the month of August and printed a calendar:
Monday: Pilates & ab work at home
Tues & Thurs: Run 5-6am followed by 30 min at gym doing upper weights
Wed & Fri: 1 hour of circuit training at gym focusing on lower body
Weekend: Long (7+) mile runs or bike ride (I need to dust off my bike)
Misc: Walk dog at least 4 times a week

Thanks for holding me accountable! ;)
Sarah

[Xtina_in_WI]

My goal this month is 21/31 days of physical activity. I did pilates w/ DBF last night (and was doing great until he hit his head on the coffee table -- too hilarious :p ) I was at work for about 14 hours today so I'm not going to get anything in today, but have plans outlined on the calendar for the rest of the week.

I'm the maid of honor in my sister's wedding this coming February, and I have to get fitted for my dress by September 1. That should be incentive enough for me to get my butt in gear!

Here's to a great month, everyone :)

~Christina

[Sarah428]

3/31

Walked the dog for 30 minutes this morning and hope to walk a little tonight, depending on the heat (it's 96 right now). I'll start my new "routine" next week when DH starts classes.

Hope everyone is staying cool! Camping for the next 4 days so I'll check in on Monday.

Sarah

[Kristal]

3/31

Walked the dog for 30 minutes this morning and hope to walk a little tonight, depending on the heat (it's 96 right now). I'll start my new "routine" next week when DH starts classes.

Hope everyone is staying cool! Camping for the next 4 days so I'll check in on Monday.

Sarah

It's another scorcher here, so I took the day off from running. A cool front is supposed to move in overnight--yay! Have fun camping. :)

[Sarah428]

7/8

Wasn't able to get to the gym towards the end of last week but did get some canoeing and hiking in while camping.

This morning was 30 minutes of pilates and ab work followed by 30 min walk w/ dog. Tomorrow will hit the gym.

[sneezles]

Not having a very good month! I'm 0/8, no excuses, just don't feel like it! :rolleyes: I am down another 4 pounds this week though! Guess I just needed a break!

[colleency]

I'd like to join. I just went back to yoga, and do I ache!

I guess my goal for August will be yoga once a week, and maybe some type of physical activity every day? Maybe that's too much. I'm going to try to go back to taking 20 minute walks in the late afternoon at work. It means a shorter lunch, but I really need to get physical. I'm turning into a big lump.

[Sarah428]

9/31

I've been able to follow my calendar this week (so far DH hasn't had to go into work early). My circuit training/lower body lifting this morning was a challenge and I'm already feeling it.

Now if I just could get my sweets under control :o

~Sarah~

[lindrusso]

Hi everyone. :)

We are back from our various travels and I am ready to get back into the groove!

While on vacation, I did walk the treadmill at our hotel one day and spent 2 days walking all over NYC, so I managed 3 days of exercise out of the whole week. Not terrible.

So far I am 6/31 days for this month. I have not done any weights yet, but will be going to the Y today to do some. I already mowed the lawn today too, so it will be a good day for burning calories. :)

Hope everyone is hanging in there.

Alysha

[sneezles]

Great job, Alysha, being 6/31 and it's only the 10th!! I've not been doing as well. Though this week I have been working on abdominals and weights, I just can't seem to get 'round to the aerobic part...

[Kristal]

I'm not doing that well, either. Right now, I'm 3/31. I keep waiting for the heat to break, but every day is a killer. Of course, I really have no excuse since I do belong to a gym! :rolleyes: I just prefer to exercise outdoors.

[lindrusso]

Though this week I have been working on abdominals and weights, I just can't seem to get 'round to the aerobic part...

We seem to have the opposite problem. :D

But hurray! I finally did some upper body weights today! :)

[Kristal]

It actually was a lot cooler this morning so I got in a quick run before work. 4/31 for me. :)

[lindrusso]

Hurray for the cooler weather! :) It's cooler here too, but still pretty humid.

Shockingly enough, I did weights again today! ;) This time - lower body. I'm on a roll! :D

I also did about an hour of yard work - nothing too strenuous, but I was moving.

I had hoped to walk Bailey tonight, but so far it's raining....
Edited to say that it did stop raining and Bailey got his walk.

So I guess that makes me 7 & 2/31.

Alysha

[maddolee]

My goal is just to get back to exercising consistently!! I want to start out 2-3 times a week, and if I can stay consistent that will just be great for me!!

[lindrusso]

Welcome, Jen. Is this the first that you've posted to this challenge or am I just forgetful? :)

As of today, I am 8/31 with still 2 days of weights. I'll need to throw in some extra weight days over the 2 times a week I had planned in order to come out 8/31.

Well, DH is bellowing that dinner is ready..... :)

Alysha

[Sarah428]

13/31 (half way done to reach my goal!)

Didn't get a lot of exercise in this weekend (25th anniversary party, DD 2nd b-day party) but did manage a nice, loooong walk w/ Lily (dog) last night.

No gym this a.m. (DH into work early) but hope to run in the cooler weather after dinner tonight.

Keep it up ladies!

~Sarah~

[lindrusso]

13/31 (half way done to reach my goal!)

Wow - great job Sarah! :)

[Kristal]

Got in two more runs over the past few days, so I'm now at 6/31. I think I would have to work out every remaining day of August in order to reach my goal. Somehow I don't think it's going to happen. :(

[Sarah428]

15/31

I've been getting my minimum of 30 minutes in but skipped the gym this morning, my bed was just too comfy! I'll try to get an evening run in since it's so nice out.

Kristal - Keep it up, 6/31 is better than 0/31! :p

[pattiarl]

If you don't mind, I want to post. I actually "joined" when I saw this post, but was having problems logging in and posting so I couldn't commit it to paper.

My goal was to go to the gym every day I am at home. At the time I decided that, my month was really up in the air and I really didn't know my schedule.

Well, I'm happy to report that I've only missed two days at the gym but one of those nights I did do 100 squats and 100 lunges. So although I wasn't within the letter of my law, I was in the spirit. And during one of my days in NY I took a brisk walk for exercise and then walked 30 blocks home from our NY office to my friend's place. So technically I guess I am 17/31. On top of that I am trying to vary my workout so I've taken to spinning and today I went to a sports conditioning class-think gym class for adults!

Thanks for letting me join in and expound a little. I'm hoping it keeps the trend going.

Patti O.

[lindrusso]

Hi everyone.

Keep at it Kristal! :) The most important thing is that you don't get discouraged about not meeting your goal and then do nothing at all - just keep plugging away and do the best you can.

Welcome Patti. :)

I'm still hanging in there. I'm at 12/31, but, I have only done weights 2 times.

I still have the opportunity to make both of my goals, but I'll have to be diligent for the rest of the month.

Hopefully my wrenched back won't interfere too much - I know I can still walk, but we'll have to see how weights go. Most of the weight stuff shouldn't be too bad as long as I find a comfortable position...

Keep at it everyone. :)

Alysha

[Kristal]

bumping for Sarah. :)

I kind of lost track of my days, but I think I ran around 12 days this month. Certainly not close to my goal, but not bad, either. Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement! I think I will try to set a smaller goal for September, so that I can actually make it. ;)

[Sarah428]

My goals:
at least 30 minutes of movement for 26/31 days
Reinvigorate (sp?) my weight routine and make it challenging!
Focus on upcoming 10K run (start speed work, etc.)
Sarah
I got in 28/31 days of exercise
I did make out a new challenging weight routine but I lost my excitement for it after about 2 weeks.
I ran my 10K run last weekend, came in 3rd in my class and shaved over 2 minutes off my finish time :)

I've decided to take this week off from the gym (still will walk and bike ride) to evaluate my routine and goals for Septemeber.

Thanks for the support!