The Promised December Exercise Thread Part 2
 

Welcome!

Last month many of us set exercise goals for December -- and guess what? It's here!!!

In this forum, we're setting the number of MINUTES we want to exercise for the month -- whether it's walking or swimming or housework! Remember December is really 4.5 weeks long, but full of holidays, so plan accordingly!!


Hope you don't mind, but I started a new thread. When it get to 2 pages, it takes too long to load for people with dialup. So here it is

Barb -- No, I don't mind! (I'm spoiled on my cable modem, so didn't think of that). In fact, I love the graphic! Thanks!

Let's add for any newcomers that we are keeping a running total of GROUP exercise minutes as well!

I managed to get to the gym last night, so add 50 minutes to the group total:

2223 + 50 = 2273 --> closing in on 2500!

BTW, the cutie with me in my avatar is my grandson, Andre. He'll be 3 tomorrow!

elmay -- congrats on getting to the gym -- I'm going to try to go today (it will be my first gym visit!). Happy birthday to your adorable grandson!

2273 -- we can get to 2500 quickly, right everyone?? :)

Okay Elmay, I give up!!! What is "Become Healthy Initiative" Is it some special program? Inquiring minds want to know.

I think you mean me! No special program... I just didn't want to call it my "weight loss" program, as it was about health more than anything else... "becoming healthy" is the goal. And I guess I just like the word initiative. :)

I think the saddest part of the whole thing is that I don't even know exactly what day I started!

OKay, I am really going to the treadmill NOW!

Okay, finally got back on the treadmill tonight! If I were counting snow shovelling, I'd have more minutes...

So, 300+ exer-goal 2273 minutes + 40 = 2313 total!!!

Let's get moving and shaking and get to 2500 !!!! :carrot:

My Exercise Goal
 

I would love to join! What a great way to hold each other accountable, especially the team goal.

I am committing to 30 minutes aerobics 4x/week and 45 minutes 2x/week and 1 hour on the exercise bike 6 days a week. In addition to my 1 exercise free day each week I am going to give myself 2 free days for the holidays and I promise that I will do no more than yoga on those days.

Sooo my goal is 2340 minutes in December. So far, I am at 735 to date. I haven't worked out yet today though.

Rebecca, WELCOME!!!! I think the team efforts have been a lot of fun! Feel free to add on whenever you like... I personally am fine if you want to add the minutes you've already done to the group total, but you decide what feels right to you! :)

I'm struggling a lot to fit the exercise in, and it looks like you have a real routine going (congrats on your weight loss!)... was it hard for you to develop the routine? Did you build up to what you're doing or start with that much?

I'm fitting in cardio now about 4-5 days/week (I'll have to check), but started at 3-4/week. The length of my workouts seems to be increasing as I have more stamina too. And I'm starting to work in some weight training, but I need a couple more things to fall in place before that really kicks in. So, I'm getting better. But I feel like I don't have a routine and I'm really struggling to do it. Setting monthly goals does help, but any advice about what worked for you might help too!

Adding 35 mins for me.

300+ exer-goal 2313 minutes + 35 = 2348 total!

Working it!
 

Wyllenn- What worked for me was really just committing. I started with 5 minutes of cardio each day and would do a magazine workout as strength training (about 15 minutes-I would do each exercise 1x). I would do 5 minutes until it got easy and then move up to 6 minutes. And then up to 8 and 10. I was afraid to hurt myself because walking up stairs would exhaust me, ****, rolling over in bed would exhaust me. I was just carrying around so much weight. After I lost about 30 pounds, I started to feel a lot better and have felt incrementally better and more able with each 10% I have lost.

I have found that working out in the morning gives me super energy and fuels my entire day (plus, you get a rush from accomplishing something that early. gets you off on a good start). I do at least 30 minutes in the am and usually do an extra 15 of Yoga in the am. Then I do an hour on a low-impact recumbent bike while watching TV at night. I love TV and would have extra energy to burn and would get lathargic just watching TV. But, like I said, I started super slow. I still do strength from magazines, but it is usually only 2x/week.

I don't want to get in a position where I can't keep up and my body gets used to it. When I travel, I make sure to stay in a hotel with a gym and I workout in my room and the gym. Also, when I travel, I land...get my rental car and go straight to the grocery store for energetic, healthy snacks. Otherwise, I get in trouble with the food.

I worked out 1 hour and 45 minutes today.

So, the team goal 2348 + 105 = 2453

Adding 60 more water-walking minutes for me:

300+ exercise-total: 2453 + 60 = 2513 minutes

Rebecca -- What you said sounds like what a lot of other successful "losers" say -- make a commitment. I think I haven't fully made that commitment yet regarding exercise. I feel I have made it much more solidly with food, so that's good, but I do think I have to up my commitment to moving it! I mean, I am setting higher goals each month and doing more, but I'm not sure that's enough...

Congrats to you and Leanne for getting us past 2500 minutes! I think I can commit to adding to that total tomorrow!

Wyllenn I just wanted to say thanks for being so encouraging to the others in the group, and did you realise you are 1/3 of the way already to your December goal? You are doing fine!

Thanks Leanne -- I appreciate it! It's funny, when I worked out on Saturday, I deliberately did a little extra to get me to 1/3 of the exercise on the day that was 1/3 of the month. I think these exercise goals help me some!

30 more minutes on the treadmill for me!

300+ exercise-total: 2513 + 30 = 2543 minutes

Tuesday exercise for me: 65 minutes water walking.

300+ exercise-total: 2543 + 65 = 2608 minutes

Wyllenn I absolutely know that this thread has been encouraging me to keep going back to the pool, especially during December when it's really busy with kids' school and end-of-year functions. And while I'm in the pool, I keep thinking "5 minutes more, then that's 5 minutes less left to go to get to that 800 minutes" :)

Hi Girls
45 min over the weekend and 30 min tonight = 75 min to add
Dec 300+ exer total 2608 +75 = 2683 minutes

Personal time 230 + 75 = 305 minutes

Leanne -- Yeah, I keep thinking the same thing! Anything to help make this a habit, right?? Way to go with the exercise -- you are almost 1/2 way there!!

Brenda -- I know things have been tough lately -- good for you for getting the exercise in.

Went to the gym tonight for the FIRST TIME! Got acclimated, so only did 16 minutes, but I'm counting it. Plus, I worked out this morning too (already counted that!)

Dec 300+ exer total 2683 +16 = 2699 minutes

We can SO get to 3000 in the next couple of days, right everyone??

I met with my trainer tonight -- 50 minutes of strength training and 50 minutes on the evil stairmaster (I guess it is called a StairMill).

2699 + 100 = 2799

Closing in on 3000 everyone!

Hi everyone,

Been MIA in the exercise arena lately but went to a water aerobics class tonight. I did 60 minutes of water workout and another 30 of water jogging/walking.

300+ Exercise Total for December is 2799 + 90 for Dogpal = 2889 so far! You guys are awesome.

elmay and dogpal -- you ladies ROCK!! You are inspiring me to longer workouts! 2889 minutes???!!!! I can SMELL 3000 from here!

:thanks: wyllenn! One of the main reasons I want to lose weight is to be able to be active again. I enjoy the outdoors -- camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, diving, snorkeling, etc... As I've gotten heavier and heavier, I've become a lot more limited in what I can do -- because it's uncomfortable, because I'm afraid of hurting myself, and because sometimes I just cannot do it. I am so excited about being able to do things again. I'm probably going up to the snow this weekend and taking a cross-country ski lesson. I love downhill skiing, but am afraid of blowing out my knees at this weight. With XC, I think I'll be more under my own power and less under the force of gravity. I've only XC'ed once, and that was with a bunch of friends where they were trying to show me what to do. I want to take a real lesson, and have a clue :). Anyway, it's the desire to do these things that motivates me to workout longer -- I want to be aerobically fit enough to enjoy some of these activities :). Have a great day all!

elmay -- I know EXACTLY what you mean. I've never been really active, but as I gained, I did less and less, to the point where I was avoiding so many things because of my weight (and those fears you mentioned). I started this journey not so much to lose weight but to get healthy, and to me that means being more active! Sure, I need to lose weight to do that, but losing weight isn't the end goal.

I want to be able to not THINK about whether I can walk a mile (or two or five) today because my feet might hurt. I want to be able to TRY new things (I've NEVER been skiing or snorkeling) and not worry about whether I'll "fit" in the suit or the ski lift.

But I was starting to languish in my 30 minute routines on the treadmill 3-5 x/week. This thread has helped push me to do more, but other things are starting to come together. My husband and I joined the Y (last week). Last night we finally got our butts over there. Okay, we were the fattest people there, but I didn't feel too uncomfortable. ANd I tried an elliptical for the first time. Kicked my butt it did. My next challenge! And then there's the weight rooms, and the pool. I love to swim! And pilates classes. I want to be able to try it all!

Phew. Went on a little long there! Anyway, I guess the point is that we are all motivating each other!

I know that this thread/group has helped motivate me. I appreciate all of you! I never exercised before I committed to this thread and I am not doing much now but it is a start. A start that I wouldn't have gotten on my own. Adding 46 mins today. I am so proud, that is the longest I have ever worked out at one time!

2889 + 46 = 2935 mins total

Workout
 

2935 + 105 = 3041

60 on bike last night and 45 this morning with Yourself! Fitness.

Manda -- I'm SO glad to hear that! And 46 minutes is great! Baby steps... we're just taking baby steps!

Woohoo! With Rebecca's exercise, we are over 3000!! Let's get it to 4000 -- by... the weekend you think?? I think we can do it!!!

The December Exercise Thread, Part 3
 

Welcome!


Last month many of us set exercise goals for December -- and guess what? It's here!!!

In this forum, we're setting the number of MINUTES we want to exercise for the month -- whether it's walking or swimming or housework! Remember December is really 4.5 weeks long, but full of holidays, so plan accordingly!!

We're also tracking how many minutes we have exercised as a group!

As of now: 300+ exer-total = 3041 minutes (that's over 50 hours, people!!)

Please add your minutes (for yourself and the group and get some support!

If you want to join us during the month -- GREAT! Just let us know how many minutes you want to exercise in what's left of the month!

Well ladies, its Wednesday here ... and another 65 minutes water walking for me ...
So that takes my total up to 440 minutes (woohoo past 1/2 way) and
300+ exer-total = 3041 + 65 = 3106 minutes :)

Hi all. No swimming for me today but I managed to do the Treadmill for 20 minutes.

300+ Exercise total 3106 minutes + Dogpal 20 minutes = 3126 Total

Way to go leanne and dogpal. You are both 1/2 way to your goals! (I'm not yet, but hope to get there tomorrow!!)

And I walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill. Not an inspired workout, and I didn't get sweaty or really push myself, but I DID it, and I'm counting it!


300+ Exercise total 3126 minutes + 30 minutes = 3156 Total

I'm not sure which is the hardest. Getting to the health club to exercise, or getting in here to post it!!:D Anyway I've done 35 minutes Monday and today, so that 70 for me so far this week.


3156 + 70 =3226

Way to go, Barb! I shovelled today... unfortunately, I didn't plan to count that!!

Hi guys,
Well, I got up this moring and went to the pool for some working out time. I worked out for 75 minutes. I have 154 minutes left for my goal for December. I am so excited.

3FC total so far 3226 + 75 minutes for Dogpal = 3301 Group total!

Dogpal -- That is going to feel so awesome when you BLOW THAT GOAL OUT OF THE WATER!!! Congrats!

Group total of 3500 is just around the corner!

I got another 100 minutes in last night -- woo hoo!
3301 + 100 = 3401
Bet we break 3500 today!

BTW, I went Christmas shopping Tuesday night. I was pleasantly surprised that I could crouch down and browse the bottom shelf of books in the bookstore as long as I wanted without pain in my knees and worry that I'd never rise again :). This exercise stuff really does work!

elmay -- way to go... I can't crouch yet well at all!

BTW, I KNOW I created a new thread a couple of days ago (exercise #3) -- it disappeared! I think we may have lost some minutes, too. :(

Anyone know what happened? Did I break a rule by starting one too soon???

Did another 30 minutes today (I'm at the halfway point!)

Group exer-total = 3401 + 30 = 3431 minutes

Hi Wllenn,

I just wanted to say. Then I'm not crazy. I thought we were on #3. I don't think you broke a rule? You are doing great. Keep up the great work everyone.
Blessings,
Dogpal