Fitness Challenge!

**Joshua** · 20th June 11, 07:29 AM

I have a strong suggestion for anyone taking part in this thread...

Buy the book called "Never Let Go" by Daniel John. I've known him through the Internet for a decade, read his newsletter and taken part in/on forums that he frequents... otherwise I have no real affiliation with him. If you have a Kindle, the book is quite inexpensive.

However, I'm about halfway through his book, and it has lit a proverbial fire under me. He addresses ever misnomer I've ever had to communicate to non-lifters about lifting, and covers a ton of positives on lifting and life philosophy.

He's also an accomplished Highland Games athlete, as well as a College discus thrower, Olympic-style weightlifter, and strength coach for a High School.

**Jack Daw** · 20th June 11, 07:40 AM

Well, I've been in NY on business for the past 5 weeks, and I've gained, I think, between 5 and 10 lbs. So, my goal will be to lose that, plus another 10.

**biblemonkey** · 20th June 11, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

Well, I've been in NY on business for the past 5 weeks, and I've gained, I think, between 5 and 10 lbs. So, my goal will be to lose that, plus another 10.

Sounds great! Keep us updated on your progress.

And guys, remember to have time specific goals for things like weight loss. If you just generically talk about loosing the weight most people have the tendancy to get the, "I'll start tomorrows" and time drags on with no real commitement. My goals are very time specific (two months till the race) and that keeps me focused and trying hard when I'd rather not.

Stay focused! It's gonna be awsome!

Hugh

**gary meakin** · 20th June 11, 10:09 AM

here's what I'm doing
20-30 minutes a morning on the gazelle glider
this http://www.humbleobserver.net/only4exercises/
this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
and taking a hike every Saturday or Sunday(kilted of course)

**biblemonkey** · 20th June 11, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by gpmeakin

here's what I'm doing
20-30 minutes a morning on the gazelle glider
this http://www.humbleobserver.net/only4exercises/
this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/
and taking a hike every Saturday or Sunday(kilted of course)

Sounds great! When did you start?

**gary meakin** · 20th June 11, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by biblemonkey

Sounds great! When did you start?

I started in February of 2010.
By June of 2010 I lost 30 lbs. (193-163)
Kept it off until a trip to DisneyWorld and Christmas.
That's when I went back to 175 lbs.
When I started the pushups, I could do 5

now I can do 35 without a break and I'm up to 84 with rests in between
Look at this site for a pushup program http://hundredpushups.com/
As far as losing the weight, I tried just the calorie counting and that didn't work. Once I added the gazelle every morning, the lbs fell off.
Like and idiot, once I hit my goal I stopped doing as much and put it back on.
It seems so much harder this time to get back in the swing of things.
I'm hoping this thread will give me the push I need.

**biblemonkey** · 20th June 11, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by gpmeakin

I started in February of 2010.
By June of 2010 I lost 30 lbs. (193-163)
Kept it off until a trip to DisneyWorld and Christmas.
That's when I went back to 175 lbs.
When I started the pushups, I could do 5

now I can do 35 without a break and I'm up to 84 with rests in between
Look at this site for a pushup program http://hundredpushups.com/
As far as losing the weight, I tried just the calorie counting and that didn't work. Once I added the gazelle every morning, the lbs fell off.
Like and idiot, once I hit my goal I stopped doing as much and put it back on.
It seems so much harder this time to get back in the swing of things.
I'm hoping this thread will give me the push I need.

Your improvements sound amazing! Keep it up!

I know how you feel about getting to a goal and then letting it slide. In college I played Ultimate Frisbee and lifted all the time. I was what's called a hardgainer. Can't pack on muscle mass easily at all. But my youth and my sports mentality got me pretty fit. Got out of college, thought I was still in good shape a few years into my marriage and then I saw a picture from our honeymoon...I looked awsome! Then I looked in the mirror...I looked horrible!

Now I've just completed P-90X gained 9 lbs of muscle (which is a TON for a hard gainer) and slimmed the waistline back down. Now I'm on to Insanity so I can toast the Warrior Dash in New York. I have to keep finding new goals so I can work towards something or else I know I'll slack off again.

It's great to have a group to push you and encourage you. Make sure you post updates on your progress every couple of weeks. Having an accountability crew like the others on this thread will keep you pushing to do your best. As long as you are doing your best then any progress is a good move.

Get fit!
Hugh

P.S. You other guys on this thread get started yet? No better day than today!

**LitTrog** · 21st June 11, 12:11 AM

Glad you started this...I'm not in need of weight loss, just need consistency in training. Got a 7-mile run in Iowa in July (the Bix 7) and the Oregon warrior dash on Sept. 11. Was a solid, elite-level 180 in college some years ago and have wilted to 165 right now. I'm in decent shape, but need to really focus on setting aside time for working out. I'm aging, and a challenge gets my testosterone levels all jacked up again, even if I'm competing against myself. Will specify my goals (and my complete my tattoo pictures, Hugh!) once my honeymoon is over--just got married on Saturday! The beachbody insanity program is pretty good, haven't tried PX, but tempted...have cut, need to regain mass. Need to get off my lazy a**. I think that rhymes. Cheers!

**biblemonkey** · 21st June 11, 05:05 AM

Originally Posted by LitTrog

Glad you started this...I'm not in need of weight loss, just need consistency in training. Got a 7-mile run in Iowa in July (the Bix 7) and the Oregon warrior dash on Sept. 11. Was a solid, elite-level 180 in college some years ago and have wilted to 165 right now. I'm in decent shape, but need to really focus on setting aside time for working out. I'm aging, and a challenge gets my testosterone levels all jacked up again, even if I'm competing against myself. Will specify my goals (and my complete my tattoo pictures, Hugh!) once my honeymoon is over--just got married on Saturday! The beachbody insanity program is pretty good, haven't tried PX, but tempted...have cut, need to regain mass. Need to get off my lazy a**. I think that rhymes. Cheers!

Congratulations on your marriage!

Yes P-90X is amazing, just make sure you follow the nutrition plan as best you can. I am training to beat the NY Warrior Dash myself. Met my goal for the PA one and needed something to refocus me so I know what you mean about a new challenge bringing out the athlete mentality.

**Andrew2160** · 21st June 11, 08:35 PM

Goal: lose 15 lbs or more by October. Presently 215 lbs

Exercise Program:
I signed up for a half marathon training program at the beginning of June.

I gained the weight after stop running last year. after finishing training for my first half-marathon. I am finding it obviously harder to do the training this year with the extra weight and not doing any exercise since November 2010.

Progress:
I did a 5k race two weeks ago and did similar time to what I was doing 3 years ago.

Next steps:
Continue with adding distance for the 13.1 miles goal and start some cross training (barbells).

I think these are modest goals that can be acheieved if I eat healthy after my runs. I tend to eat junk food then.