October check in

First off I would like to say that if I were to win the challenge I would use the money towards the vacation I am taking in June to Hawaii. Next I would like to report that I got 6 people to do the mini workouts for the month for a grand total of 12 workouts. Most of which were done by my roommate and a few of which I made the students I supervise at school do. It did feel kinda good to be bossy at least for a good purpose. So I believe that that makes it 13 points for me this month. Which I find quite fitting for the month of October. Happy Halloween!

October challenge

This is to report that Dad and I both got 1 point. We did the exercises using the paper plates. I'm not sure if Sharon had seen them if she would have given us points. It would probably be more like minus points. We both got laughing and Dad said, "We should make a video of this." No, we shouldn't! I think we cheated a little bit as we clung to a chair and the bar while we were doing them. When you get older, your sense of balance isn't very good. I will report, however, that we did get our heart rate up and we did the whole 6 minute workout. I did the standing push-ups and Dad did the regular ones. If we get around to doing any of the other ones, I'll let you know. I wanted to get Lynn and Brock involved but we couldn't ever get together. I would like to have gotten more points but feel good about the one that I did achieve. We both had fun with it.

Love, Mom

One Week Left - Get Going!

Well, if you read Keith's latest report, you'll see how we each earned one point so far with this challenge.  I plan on earning more this week by making him do the other two.  They're so quick and easy, people!  C'mon you gotta try at least one of them out.  The paper plate one is so simple yet surprisingly effective and the one I can see most of you doing.  By the way, I didn't show it on the video but the sliding push-ups can be done on the wall, so you don't even have to get down on the ground!  And also, I'm finding that 30 seconds is plenty on the unilateral exercises.  So on any of them, switch sides at 30 seconds and you'll have worked both sides in 1 minute.  Make sense?

Don't forget: you have this week to tell us how you would spend your $250, if you were to win the Golden Sneaker Challenge.  Easy, easy point.  Go fantasy shopping... it's almost as fun as the real thing!

To Keithy Baby

Almost thou persuadeth me to feel sorry for you. But I don't. Ah, that all of us were doing so great. We're all in this together -- thanks to your industrious wife -- and we're all struggling, some more than others. Keep up the good work.

The Complete Workouts, Including Videos!

These workouts are all easily adaptable and should be do-able by all of us regardless of our fitness/injury/bodily issue status.  In the videos, I tried to show a lower- and higher-intense option... and, of course, if something hurts or doesn't feel right, don't do it!

Now, get busy and make someone else work out!

Workout #1 – Paper Plates (everyone has these in the house, right?)

• 1 minute alternating sliding reverse lunges (start shallow and go deeper as knee health and/or fitness level allow).
• 1 minute alternating sliding forward lunges.
• 1 minute speed skaters.
• 1 minute sliding push-ups (regular, knee, or wall; start shallow and go deeper as shoulder/wrist health and/or fitness level allow).
• 1 minute running man.
• Repeat as necessary for optimal torture level.

Workout #2 – Resistance Band or Tube (if you don’t have one you should get one)

• 1 minute squat & row
• 1 minute wall band push-ups
• 1 minute side-to-side band X
• 1 minute other side-to-side band X
• 1 minute static lunge and curl
• 1 minute static lunge and curl, switch feet
• Repeat as necessary for optimal torture level

Workout #3 – Dumbbells 

• narrow squat and press
• Triceps dip and kick
• Lunge and curl
• DB halo
• Sumo squat and swing
• Repeat

October Workout Challenge

You know how fun it is to tell other people what to do?  Well, this month you get points for being bossy!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get tired of ordering myself around.  Especially because I’m a lousy listener.  So it’s your challenge to order someone else around and make them exercise.  They still may be a lousy listener, but it’ll give you a break from annoying yourself!

There are 3 possible workouts to choose from and each time you force someone else to do one of them, you get a point!

So, torture your spouse, your child, your parent, your brother or sister, roommate or friend… a complete random stranger on the street…

Of course I’m hoping/thinking the person you choose to torture will appropriately seek revenge and likewise torture you back!

Workout #1 – Paper Plates (everyone has these in the house, right?)

• 1 minute alternating sliding reverse lunges (start shallow and go deeper as knee health and/or fitness level allow).
• 1 minute alternating sliding forward lunges.
• 1 minute speed skaters.
• 1 minute sliding push-ups (regular, knee, or wall; start shallow and go deeper as shoulder/wrist health and/or fitness level allow).
• 1 minute running man.
• Repeat as necessary for optimal torture level.

Workout #2 – Resistance Band or Tube (if you don’t have one you should get one)

• 1 minute squat & row
• 1 minute wall band push-ups
• 1 minute side-to-side band X
• 1 minute other side-to-side band X
• 1 minute static lunge and curl
• 1 minute static lunge and curl, switch feet
• Repeat as necessary for optimal torture level

Workout #3 – Dumbbells or Medicine Ball

• Coming soon!

In writing these up, I see that I’m going to need to include demonstration videos.  The exercises are simple, but you might not get what they are from the name.

So, give me one day and I’ll have videos of 3 workouts you can choose from.  But this will give you an idea so you can start planning your attack!

Mama needs a new pair of shoes!

Of course my $250 would be used to buy me some shoes.  Of course.  Probably some runners.  But then the leftovers would go toward some fitness gadget.  Perhaps a TRX Suspension Trainer.  Keith has rigged up a chain version in our garage but it has some limitations.  Or perhaps a Ugi Fitness Ball. 

Or maybe, just maybe, a spa massage treatment!

The rest of the October Challenge will be posted tomorrow! Stay tuned!

$250 -- Wow!!

What would I do with $250? If I were younger, my desires would be too long to name. However, in my old age I have everything I could desire or want (except for my feet to quit hurting). I think what I would do with it is put it toward next year's kitty, barring any unforseen medical or dental expenses. Aren't I a GOOD guy??? If you want me to win and have a $500 kitty next year, then vote for me. Is this an election sort of thing?(Or maybe I would buy me another good pair of shoes.)

Love, Mom

I would probably buy some new clothes and a Bosu ball. (I think that is how you spell it.)

Sharon's September wrap-up... and October challenge!

Well, I once again thank several of you for reporting and motivating me that last week of September.  I needed it and it made the last 3 days of the month quite active for me.  In my opinion, you definitely earned and deserved your points.  Unfortuantely, over the weekend I got into a slump yet again!  Which is why I'm excited for this next challenge. 

I think it will be fun and motivating in a different kind of way... but you have to wait for it!  I'm just putting the last details into it and it'll be ready in the next day or two.

So while you're anticipating the next challenge, I issue a call to action:

There are 3 (three) (tres) (kolme - right, Devin?) months left in 2011.  I'm sensing a bit of lethargy in some of your commitment to improving your health and happiness.  I feel that even those of you who have been plugging along could use a good boost right about now to finish the year strong.  Heck, my own enthusiasm and participation have been a bit spotty, so I've admittedly not been the best example.

But the point is, I do feel that I thought more and actually did more than I have in the past to focus on and improve my health and happiness this year.  And I want to finish this year with a bang so that I just cruise right in to the next without slowing down!

Everyone join me!  If you aren't working toward your goals, start today!  Do a Random Act of Fitness that I'm always blogging about!  Repeat one of the monthly challenges or do one that you didn't get around to before.  You won't earn the point toward the "Not-So-Dumbbell" prize, but it could get you closer to winning the "Golden Sneaker" award.  Which brings up the point:  Have you forgotten, THERE'S MONEY TO BE WON HERE, PEOPLE!!!  There is cold, hard cash sitting in my safe just waiting to be tucked away into your wallet.

In fact, I've just been inspired to issue the first challenge of October:

Look over at the amount in the cash pot and tell me what you would do with that money if you won the 2011 "Golden Sneaker" award.  You will earn 1(one) (uno) (oh... never mind) point if you send your answer to me via email or blog post/comment.  Put a little thought into it and send in your answer before Oct. 31!

Killing 2 birds with one stone

I apologize for not posting for a while. I have been busy for almost a solid 2 months. August was full of 2 a day practices I had to cover and so that left only enough time for sleeping and eating. And September brought many challenges as well one of which was our internet service was being quite fickle. Anyhow I would like to report that I did attempt August's Grueling challenge and I only accomplished 6 days of feeling like a vegetable since that is what it made me feel like after stuffing myself to the brim with those. I can definately say that has probably been the most challenging of all of the challenge's so far.

As for September's challenge I did get in 2 great work outs this week. We don't have any television at our house because I am to cheap to pay for cable as well as an antenna. So I had been waiting to watch the TV on Hulu the next day. And since I said our internet was being fickle I needed a way to fill the void in my life every night I wanted to catch up on the office of Parks and Rec, or Grey's Anatomy. Then I remembered I have a membership to Gold's Gym. And yeah I did have to remember. I really don't go that often. Anyhow, they have cable there and they also have many cardio machines with a tv mounted right in front of you at arms length. It truly was a perfect match for me. So I have been going to the gym for 2 hours a night and watching television. It is fantastic. Commercials aren't quite as bothersome anymore. I have been doing an hour on the elliptical burning around 900 calories and then I move over to the bike and do that for as long as I can before my legs tell me enough is enough. Then I will move over and walk on the treadmill. I haven't been burning much for that second hour since the bike and walking are easier. all in all I burn around 1200 calories a night.

I like doing the elliptical the most since I burn the most calories and can just get into a rhythm and keep a consistent pace. Eventually I am going to incorporate some weight training in. But I have less motivation since there aren't TV's attached to all the weight machines.

So there it is that is how I killed 2 birds with one stone.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

I did it.  I did a real workout today!  I headed to the garage and did the elliptical combined with some heavy bag and it felt AWESOME! 

You guys seriously, truly helped me out and I thank you.  Between my Random Acts of Fitness and good workout today, I had three good active days in a row and I think I'm back on track.

And I never did officially report on the fruit/veggie challenge.  I counted about 6 days that I hit the recommended 7 servings of fruits/veggies.  I really seem to be stuck at about 6 daily servings.  I think this challenge did indeed qualify as challenging.  Not many of you reported hitting the 7 serving mark, but I hope it got you thinking about it and adding at least a few more servings than you usually do.  This is one to definitely keep working on.