Welcome back to those of you who've been following along each Saturday morning, and welcome to new folks just seeing this. The 2009 fitness challenge is a year long challenge to each and every Kossack to get fit or stay fit. While some folks are suggesting specific diets, for long term health, it's lifestyle alteration that does the job most effectively. We've got a new President coming in on Tuesday, bringing hope of a far brighter year than the last eight we've slogged through, depressed and apathetic. And apathy and depression tend to go hand in hand with sloth and grazing on comfort foods. It's time to break free of those godawful Bush years, and spring forward, renewed and vigorous into the future.
So hop in, share your recipes, your workouts, your anatomy lessons, your ups and downs as you pursue the fitness goals that you're setting for yourself this year. We want to hear where you started, where you're headed, and how you're getting there.
Hi, gang! Drag those tired old bods out and do some stretches as you keyboard! I'm loosening and flexing my calves and hamstrings, and am seriously thinking about moving my exercycle in to the computer desk, as the top has a flat part I could set my wireless keyboard on, and if I get my computer speakers hooked up again, I could be watching a movie or blogging as I ride.
The cold snap hit us here in Ohio, as it did much of the country, so the temptation has been to stay inside, and eat to keep the metabolism going. Knowing I was going to have to sit down at this keyboard and write my shame if I did to you guys this week helped me fight off the mindless grazing urge. I did eat more often than I should have, but I also kept warmer with some exercise, thanks in part to finding some of my old VHS tapes of bodyshaping with Cory Everson.
So where am I? My main goal is weight loss, with muscle toning and gain secondary. I started January 1 at 286.4, and desired to end the year at 185-200 depending on muscle gain. Sad to say, I'm losing it more slowly so far than I'd hoped, but I am still losing, at least. 282.6 today, so basically a pound a week so far, instead of the 2 a week I'll need to meet my goal. (Though really, I'm not going to be heartbroken if I end the year around 235, either, just means a bit longer to get there :) I'm not going to modify my goals, I know I can kick it into higher gear with a better effort. (And I generally find it easier to lose when it's warmer anyway.)
Since fruit and veg are kings when it comes to weight loss, my garden plans continue apace, though Dad is ahead of me. He's planting radishes and lettuce indoors over the winter, while I'm still planning to wait til spring for outdoor planting. Carrots for snacking will definitely be going in, and I'll be adding strawberries and melon to my existing apple trees and raspberry patch and Dad's peach tree for homegrown fruit salads this fall. I've found most fruit freezes pretty well, so differing harvest runs won't matter too much.
As always, don't forget to check out the other DKos fitness-related blogging series Macca's Meatless Mondays, Saturday Morning Garden Blogging, Fitness Monday, What's for Dinner?, Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Two Potatoes and suggest any new ones I've left off the list.
So let's hear from you. This is not a blog to read and lurk on, we want to know what your goals are, how you're doing, and get some new recipes and workouts to change the pace up for our own efforts!
UPDATE (h/t to rcp) Biggest Loser apparently has a challenge wherein they'll donate a pound of food to a food pantry for every pound you lose.