Movers & Shakers Holiday Challenge

[Shadow]

The Holiday Challenge

Okay, gang, listen up! Get out your pens, calendars, and notepads – it’s time to get busy on the end of the year challenge. But before we get to it, let me state that the holiday’s are NOT an excuse to miss exercise! So don’t even try it with me – ‘cause it’s not gonna work :razz:! I do realize that a lot of people are busy this time of year. BUT, unless you are going to holiday parties or entertaining house guests 24/7, they are still not an excuse to get out of M&Sing. (And if you ARE going to holiday parties 24/7, you need to seriously re-think how you’re living :lol:!)

Over the past several months we’ve tried different approaches to exercise, so you should all be familiar by now with your preferred method of exercise. Focusing on that, I want you to come up with your plan for the holiday season. I want it to be something you LIKE so the odds of getting it done are a lot better, even when you’re feeling crunched for time :nod:.

You can approach this by setting up the entire 6 weeks at one time, or you can break it into 2 3-week cycles. But no matter how you go, you need to:
1. State your minimum number of days/week (but I expect to see at least 3 days from all of you :evil:)
2. State your focus (strength, endurance, cardio, etc)
3. Check into the daily threads as often as possible – but at least once a week
4. Mid-cycle, even if you stick with the same focus for all 6 weeks, I want you to change something and state what that change will be

Please remember that the holidays can be a very stressful time, which is all the more reason to exercise. Exercise is a great stress buster :thumbsup: so make sure you pick what you enjoy and what works for you when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

The holiday season is a season of giving. So I ask you all to give yourself the gift of better health this year. Remember, it’s not just you that will benefit from better health, but your family, friends and loved ones will benefit too. What better gift can you give yourself or those you love?

So who’s in for the Holiday Challenge :D?

[Parisienne]

I know it looks like a joke, but I am in!

Contrary to most of you, I have the impression it's going to be less busy time for me than usual. I will think about my possibilities (I am sure it cannot be more than 3 days a week;)) and report it later at the end of the week.

[Shadow]

Adina - I am so glad you are joining! I know the holidays won't be quite as hectic for you so hopefully you'll actually be able to hang with us a little bit ;)! I'm counting on you!

[hawk]

Ok..I commit to

riding the bike 6 days a week. 30 minutes a day.

Focus..cardio fat loss.

2-3 days weights 45 minutes

focus ..strength training..


Bike today...

[Shadow]

Great line up, Lynn! So glad you're going to be with us over the holidays!

[Karole]

Great challenge for the holidays, Shadow !!
I'm with you too, and here is my plan:
1. Committing to : 5 days per week 3 days resistance -- 2 days cardio
2. Focus: strength and cardio
3. Check in: daily
4. Midway change at 3 weeks will be to increase weight I use and add extra day of cardio.

[gitfiddle]

I'm with you, Shadow. When does this challenge start? Did I miss that?

1. Four days a week
2. Strength focus enhanced with cardio
3. Check into the daily threads as often as possible – no problem!
4. Mid-cycle - I will add hallwalking at work. I have a friend who wants to start, so that will be perfect.

[Shadow]

Karole - Great holiday lineup :thumbsup:! See - you were worried about not getting back into it for nothing ;)!

Carol - It will start at the beginning of next week - whatever your beginning day is. Does that make sense :p? I am so happy you're joining in - looks like an awesome plan!

[Ammy]

Okay okay!!
sheesh!! the PRESSURE around here!! ;)

I will commit to 3 days a week to make it more obtainable for me...but hope to do more.

Just spoke to Bro...he has keys to the rec center "after hours" so we're going the Saturday after Thanksgiving!! All to ourselves!! WOOHOO!

[Belfrybat]

I'm in -- I commit to "something" 5 days a week. I'll come back and edit this post when I figure out what the something will be.

OK -- here's my plan. I haven't been walking enough outside except for checking the mail -- boring. So I'm going to commit to a 3 mile walk twice a week (besides the mail check). I'll continue Tai Chi, alternating the morning and evening routine for variety. And at least 3 days on the Gazelle. To recap:

3-4 miles walk outside 2X weekly
Tai Chi 5X weekly
Gazelle 3X weekly

[Shadow]

Amy - So happy to see you join in! Wise plan to go for fewer days and then aim for more :nod:. Wow - how exciting to get the gym to just the two of you :D!

Brigit-Carol - Glad to see you with us too :thumbsup:! Anything goes this month so pick whatever you will enjoy and can do without exacerbating that bicep :nod:!

[Ammy]

Wow - how exciting to get the gym to just the two of you :D!

ahem...sorry...I must have mis-spoke...
not the two of us...

my entire family...

so the ELEVEN of us!!

[gitfiddle]

so the ELEVEN of us!!What a hoot! :) I can just see it.

[Shadow]

Amy - :lol:!!!! I thought it was just you and your brother! But don't "they" say the more the merrier ;)? I know when it comes to my family, most of them would be napping on the weight benches and letting me have at it :p!

[KnotDreams]

I'm in! I've been struggling with food choices for the last month, so I really need to keep up on the one component of my plan that seems to be going well--i.e. working out.

Here's the plan through Dec. 31:
Monday: one hour session with a personal trainer.
Tuesday: cardio, preferably intervals
Thursday: lower body/ core with weights, plus 20 minutes intervals.
Friday: upper body with weights, plus 20-30 minutes cardio.

Since my goal is 4x per week, if I miss one I'll aim for a Saturday or Sunday workout. I'll try to check in regularly.
Not sure what I'll do to keep the food on track, but I guess that's a topic for another thread.

Karen

[Shadow]

Karen - Thanks for joining the challenge :D! The workouts look like they're going to be in great shape! Now, what can we do to help you about the food :)? If there's anything you can think of that will help, let us know!

[Jackie]

Here is my committment:

I will:

25 min Taebo session 4-5 days/week (morning if all goes as planned)
1 hour of Ukrainain Dance 1 day/week
1/2 hour of strength training abs/butt 2 days/week

Focus: Cardio for weight loss
Strength training to help out the muscles get back to where they should be!!

Change things up when I purchase the treadmill I want (need) for Christmas, hopefully I will buy it sooner. I love walking/ low impact jogging on the treadmill!! I think it will help me stay on task.

Check in daily to let you all know that I succeeded! I won't get down on myself if I miss a day. I will just keep on!!:rolleyes: I can do this!!!

[Shadow]

Jackie - Great lineup :)! You are right - and I will remind you when necessary ;) - but one missed day does not mean the whole week is a waste. Life happens and it gets in the way - but just because it wins a battle now and then doesn't mean to say it has to win the war :tongue:.

[artsdesireincanada]

Hello All,
I will commit to taking walks, two days a week,
three days a week elastic resistance 10 mins to 20 mins a day
This will also change in January as I am out of town for the month, so it will read walks seven days a week, promising to push myself!
Dianne

[Shadow]

Hi Dianne - Welcome to the challenge :)! It's great to have you with us :nod:. Looks like a good plan :thumbsup:!

[bigdawg_SLC]

OK Since I've been "out of the loop" here ... (my fault, I know) I just saw this ... better late then never!

I'm definitely in!


You can approach this by setting up the entire 6 weeks at one time, or you can break it into 2 3-week cycles. But no matter how you go, you need to:
1. State your minimum number of days/week (but I expect to see at least 3 days from all of you :evil:)
2. State your focus (strength, endurance, cardio, etc)
3. Check into the daily threads as often as possible – but at least once a week
4. Mid-cycle, even if you stick with the same focus for all 6 weeks, I want you to change something and state what that change will be


1. 4 days min, 5 days optimal.
2. Strength training, fat burning.
3. I'll be better at this! I swear!
4. I'm going to increase HIIT to 2X's weekly.

OK -- glad to get that off my chest :D:D:D

[Shadow]

Dean - So glad to see you join :thumbsup:! I knew you'd be around, but it feels good to see it in writing :razz: ;) :D! Did I read that HIIT right :eek:????

:lol:

[artsdesireincanada]

Hi Dianne - Welcome to the challenge :)! It's great to have you with us :nod:. Looks like a good plan :thumbsup:!
thanks, it is good to be here.