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 $100 would be used to buy me some shoes.  Of course.  Probably some runners.  Or maybe 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!

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.  Unfortunately, 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) (free...ebonics, yo) 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!

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.

100 Pushups Today!

Kirk and Bryce should be doing some of
these about now, huh?

 Thank you to my sister, Jenny and my sisters-in-law, Marie and Rebecca for reporting your activities.  So far everyone's contributions have helped me get in some great RAFs - today I did 100 pushups!  I still haven't gotten in a formal workout (what is WITH me lately!?) but I've got one more day to get that accomplished.

Who else can inspire me?!  I still need it!

Some of you have apologized that your workouts aren't all that interesting, but, who cares?!  You're doing them, aren'tcha?  So, good job! 

Besides, I have a fun little challenge in mind for October that should help spice things up on that front.  Ooooo, the anticipation!

100 Lunges Today!

Lunges keep me and Spidey in
tip-top shape.  We could be twins...
except I'm not such a leotard fan.


Okay, Mom and Dad Johnson and Mom Taylor reported in some of their workouts lately.  Thank you so much.  You seriously inspired me to get in a few Random Acts of Fitness today.  I did a total of 100 lunges by breaking them into 5 sets of 20 repetitions throughout the course of the day.  I did a mixture of front and back lunges and, sadly, I'll probably be sore.  A month ago that wouldn't have even phased me!

I'm positive this will lead me into my full-blown "real" workout tomorrow.  I'll let you know.

Thanks for the help, but I still need more inspiration from the rest of you!

Last-Minute September Challenge

Hey, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done, right?!

For this challenge, I need your help!

Okay, we've got 4 days to get this one done and it's all about ME.  Well, and it benefits all of you as well. 

Since accomplishing my amazing feat of running a half marathon (thankyouverymuch), I haven't done a thing except eat.  (To my credit, there have been some fruits and veggies involved in that eating).  Not a single workout to be had, though.  It's my goal to get at least ONE (and hopefully more!) workout in before Sept. 30, 11:59 pm. 

Please join me and report about it.  I need your inspiration and motivation!!! 

If you have been exercising, then this should be no problem for you, just email or leave a blog comment about what you've done and you'll get a point!  Easy peasy!  If, like me, your workouts have been struggling, let's do something these next few days.  Head out for a walk, hop on the bike, tread or elliptical, pump some iron.  It doesn't have to be anything killer, but it does have to get your heart pumping!

Let's do this, family and friends!!!  Please help me!!!

Combat your inner couch potato and Overcome Lazy this week!!!