At least, I think it's week 12...
Okay folks, this is where you can check in on your fitness progress. How's your weight? How's your waist? How's your stamina? Tell us what you're eating (provide a recipe!), tell us your exercise secrets.
A new twist... I have found that having a group of people to be accountable to has greatly increased my stick-with-itness. I definitely haven't been perfect, but I'm not sure I'd be doing this if I hadn't seen drbloodaxe's first Get Fit Challenge diary in January and if I didn't feel obligated to come here every week and 'fess up as to how I'm doing. So I'm curious about the rest of you--what motivates you? What inspires you?
More below the fold.
Something I want to mention... a few Kossacks have expressed interest in doing the Presidential Fitness Challenge together as a team (it was first mentioned I think in the comments of the 3/9 Fitness Monday diary and then it has been discussed a bit in the Healthy Kossacks team at Spark People). See www.presidentschallenge.org Kaysara has registered at the Presidential Fitness Challenge site and is setting up a team. What you have to do is to be active five days a week for six weeks (they have a variety of "approved" activities) and you get a certificate or can order a patch, t-shirt, medal, etc. I think maybe we should leave the sign-up over for a week or two and then charge forward. If you have any comments or questions, I guess add them to the comments section. (Along with your check-in!) I feel a little goofyish/pollyannaish saying this, but I never in a million years would have considered doing this when W was the prez. Now that it's Obama, I'm all "Cool! I can get a patch, too!" I will edit in the details after I get them from Kaysara (sorry, I have to get this diary live because I'm going skiing today).
Another thing I'd like to mention is that there are other "be a healthier person" diary series going on here. The Get Fit Challenge gets published Saturday mornings. (Would anyone else like to help post it?) Fitness Mondays comes on (surprise) Monday mornings. Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies is on Tuesdays (no?). 2 potatoes is Friday evenings (on weight loss and nutrition). Fitness Science is Monday afternoons. I hope I haven't missed anything--if I have, tell me, and I'll edit it in.
Check the Daily Kos University for all the lovely stuff going on.
Last but not least... I think this whole Get Fit Challenge thing has a cycle to it. Many of us were very enthusiastic around the start of the year, when many folks make such goals. There was some waning in February, and it seems like people are rededicating themselves. (Is it spring in the air? Is it swimsuit season approaching?) Hopefully, you're one of those people who never stopped, but if your energy flagged, perhaps you've gotten your second wind. :-)
Okay, here is the last thing I'll say... is anyone else inspired by Michelle Obama's fitness and her beautiful arms? I sure am. (And I'm planning to do a Fitness Monday in April on arms.)
*editing in SadieSue's info on the Presidential Challenge:
Sorry I'm a bit late. I'm KaySara on SparkPeople & that's where I met kkmama but I'm SadieSue here (trying to remember who I am where is almost a full-time job!).
Here's the scoop on the group:
To join, you'll need to register at the President's Fitness Challenge which is fast & easy. To join our group, Healthy Kossacks, you need to know our group number, which is 80214 - you must enter this number when you register or log in to join us. Then set up your ID in the group (which I suspect is or can be the same as the one you registered with).
Let me know if you have any questions - I'll check back in here off & on all day & I'm really looking forward to doing this with everyone!
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them. - Ray Bradbury
I just registered myself--I'm EatNBoogers there (and I'm also EatNBoogers at SparkPeople). Is anyone else there yet? I'll keep plugging this team here, there, and everywhere. :-)