Is anyone interested in kicking it up a notch from now until Christmas? That's four work weeks (M-F) of good hard work. I personally want a time limit on it because it means getting up at 4:40 AM for me to accomplish it. Plus, what I'm aiming for is going to be hard. I've GOT to break this plateau!

If you'd like to join me, please list your plan.

For me:

M/W/F:
morning: 45 minute cardio (stair climber/elliptical), 45 minute Spin class
afternoon: Swim laps or walk treadmill high incline, 45 minutes

T/TH/F:
morning: 45 minute cardio, 45 minute lifting
Evening: Swim laps or walk treadmill, high inline, 45 minutes.

Sat: 1 hour body + abs class and 45 minute spin

Diet: Increase calories to 1200, dispersing differently. 6 meals at 200 each, first meal being pre-workout, last meal being dinner.

Anyone?

Increasing calories to 1200? Really? You're less than that now? Gosh... And with that much exercise?

Well... I don't know what to say. I wouldn't be able to sustain that for even 1 week.

Jay

I actually do this now in four week cycles (Not the calories, I eat around 1500 a day) =) I just belong to an actual boot camp in my city.

The workouts differ daily which has REALLY helped me not get bored. I wish you much luck and success! Super fun and I noticed changes in my shape within 2 weeks!

I recommend switching it up, do weights for ten minutes, then do some cardio, then squats etc. Confuses your muscles and truly does help to keep you interested!

I've been at 1000 for two months but am getting nowhere. I was maintaining or gaining at 1200. So yep.

But I'm going to try increasing both calories and exercise to see if I can't break out of this. I'd really like to get my metabolism moving again, which is why I'm changing the way I eat too, the timing of everything. For instance, I normally work out on an empty stomach, so eating PRIOR to a work out may get the metabolism started earlier in the day???

Im in....will post my plan later today. I have to break thru this brick wall.

I'm in. My plan is tentative, I need to try it for a week and see how it works our IRL.

M/W/F:
morning: 20 minutes strength training on total gym, 20 minute Ab Jam
evening: 60 minute moderate-pace indoor walk- outdoor if possible

T/TH/F:
morning: 45 minute cardio party DVD
Evening: 60 minute moderate-pace indoor walk- outdoor if possible

Sat: 60 minute moderate-pace indoor walk- outdoor if possible

Lifestyle Adjustments: back on plan- 1550 cals in, 2550 out per bodybugg. Daily protein shake, routine meals 6 days a week, 1 free day per week, limited to 1600 cals. Cut pepsi to 1 day per week, increase water to 100 ozs/day with fresh lemon juice. Double fiber intake.

Day 1 Measurements

Chest 41.0 {down 1.0}
Upper Arm 14.2 {down .6}
Forearm 10.2 {up 1.0}
Waist 51.5 {down 1.0}
Hips 47.2 {down .8}
Thigh 25.2 {down .8}
Calf 14.0 {down 2.0}
Lean Mass 107.14{up .58 lb}
Fat Mass 124.26{up 2.78 lb} *CD 28 so that could explain some of that*

I love the idea of a behavior related challenge. I don't participate in x pounds by Christmas because that is setting myself up for discouragement.

I am in and will post my plan later.

My plan:

1200 calories/day for 5 days of the week - can go up to 1500 calories/day for 2 days

1 hour of exercise minimal per day:
15 minutes early morning - Walk Away the Pounds dvd
15 minutes during break at work - walking around campus
30 minutes at night - either at the gym at the Leisure Center or assorted DVDs

It helps to see that written out. When I am thinking, 1 hour per day sounds like a lot. Seeing it makes me think that I should increase it to:

20 - 30 minutes of Walking Away the Pounds early morning depending on how I slept. I have learned that getting enough sleep is a big factor in my weight loss

20 minutes during breaks - walking around campus

40 minutes at night (same as above)

The increased amount will be my goal. Let's see how I do. I will record my starting weight tomorrow. I have water weight from traveling today. I think that I have gained some real fat, not just water, in the last couple of weeks. It is scary how easy it is to put it back on.

Cheryl, I agree! I am failing miserably in the Jingle challenge! It's about the behaviors, not the pounds lost. We have control over the behaviors...the scale, not so much.

I'm in, my exercise won't seem that hardcore in comparison to your all, but I have chronic pain. 40 days ago though I started at 5 mins a day doing barely anything so what I can do now is amazing to me.

mwf: 30 mins cardio evening (days I work)
twt: 15 mins upper body afternoon
30 mins cardio evening (my days off)

s/s: 15 mins upper body afternoon
45 mins cardio evening

I need to drink more water (about 96 oz) and I'm cutting cals to about 12-1300

Wow. I am in awe of those of you who commit to so much exercise. Mine is still only walking, and I feel pretty dmn smug that I even do that. Perhaps I'll re-evaluate in the new year. Not this week, anyway, when access routes to gyms and classes are completely blocked with snow....

Rosinante, my exercise is either walking or riding an recumbent bike. I was working with the weight machines and doing free weights but I have a torn rotator cuff now and am afraid to do that stuff.

Your walking is obviously working!

I have struggled with my whole plan for a couple of weeks. I think that it was because I dropped exercise and when I am not exercising, I tend to lose focus. I have to remind myself that the problem is with my arm, not my legs and feet. I can walk.

To be honest, I am scared. I have gained some weight without going back to my old way of eating. I don't have to eat tons of junk to gain weight, just add a couple of hundred calories here and another couple of hundred there. I know that scientifically 3500 calories = pound, but I swear I gain a pound on much less than 3500 calories.

Anyway, I am going to focus on my behaviors. I can control my behaviors. Then, I have to believe, the weight will get back under control. I can not go back to the life that I used to live!!!

I'm in. Ive been needing to up my exercise. Just yesterday, I had hubby move the treadmill from the extra bedroom to the living room. So, I can run while watching tv, which should motivate me more. And, I got Your Shape for the kinect. So I'm going to do the treadmill for an hour in the morning and then the workout from Your Shape in the afternoons. I had only been doing 30 minutes on the treadmill, so this will be more than twice the workout I was getting. I need to add strength training, but don't have any of the equipment.

I can't commit to much because my exercise right now is coughing uncontrollably for at least 6 hours over the course of the day. Shouldn't I have 6-pack abs by now? I've been on this exercise plan for 3 weeks.

Okay, doctor tomorrow for antibiotics and then I'll start back on 30 Day Shred while I finish recovering. I was so excited that I had gotten through the painful first 4 days only to get bronchitis and stop.

So - tentatively committing to(dependent on lung function)
MTWF - 30 Day Shred
ThS - elliptical 45 min

Hope to be in the 140s soon!

I'm in! I love this. Over the holiday weekend I was just putting together a four week plan to do between now and the next holiday, so this is exactly what I need to help with that. Thank you for starting this Eliana!

EVERY DAY
Walk 3 miles outside
Treadmill inclines 30 minutes

M/W/F/SAT
Pilates reformer

T/TH/SUN
Weight lifting & abs

NUTRITION
Reduce carbs
Increase water

ELIANA
GOOD LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Kudos to you my friend....WOW I don't think I could do that for more than ONE DAY LOLOLOL

If i had the means (gym) etc then I would do it with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!