Welcome to the Fifth TDC Fitness Challenge!
The purpose of this challenge is to increase physical fitness - while avoiding injury - over the course of eight weeks. This is a special thread dedicated to support members of the Triple Digits Club, women and men who are (or were) looking to lose 100+ lbs. Our challenge officially starts March 19th and ends May 13th, 2004.
Set yourself up for success!
Make a contract with yourself ~ commit to making fitness a priority in your life for the next two months. Also consider promising that you’ll check-in with this thread on a regular basis.
Not everyone who starts a challenge, finishes it. I've asked a few people about their decision to drop out; the common denominator is unrealistic expectations. When they couldn't keep up with their goal, it became embarrassing to come back to the thread and report failure.
Know that we are here to support each other 100%. No judgment. This is a safe place to share the triumphs, troubles and everyday trials of making physical fitness a priority.
Goals
Be realistic, make your goals attainable. Challenge yourself, but don’t set yourself up for failure by promising more than you know you can do.
Give some thought to how you’ll prevent injury during your workout.
Some of us will focus on increasing our activity each week, without a final fitness level in mind. However, if you have a set goal you want to reach by the end of this challenge, feel free to post it now, too.
If you like, include your start date weight and/or measurements.
The Alien Abduction Clause
Many of us have broken promises we’ve made to ourselves. Often we expect too much too soon. Sometimes, however, life throws us a curve ball. Be flexible when things happen outside of your control.
Should you find yourself beamed aboard a flying saucer, don’t stress that you didn’t get your workout in. Natural disasters, illness, injury, severe trauma, etc., fall into the same category. Just get back to your activity as soon as things calm down.
Extra Credit
This segment is purely optional, of course. But it's a good way to deepen the experience of the Challenge, an opportunity to share insight and get to know one another a little.
This time around we'll focus on improving body image.
We're working so hard to create healthier bodies, why not feed them more supportive, positive thoughts along with that good LC food and exercise?
Weekly Body Image Exercise
Pick a time when you’ll have at 5-10 uninterrupted minutes. Get a mirror (full length is best) and take a good look at each week's target area: Front, back and sides. Notice every nook and cranny, every plane and curve. Use your hands as well as your eyes: Feel where you are rough, where you are smooth; note the muscle, fat and bone under your skin.
This exercise may bring up some negative thoughts and feelings. You don't want to suppress them - let them surface. But pay attention, notice the messages: are they nurturing or draining you? Think of how you could turn these negative thoughts around to encourage your spirit instead.
Find things you admire and appreciate about your body. Think of all the abilities it provides you with. Find beauty in it's form and function.
Homework - Week One: Arms
For the next week, try to suspend all judgment and just appreciate your arms. Your homework assignment is to notice and praise them whenever you think of it. If you find yourself being self-critical immediately stop and pay yourself a compliment.
Your arms are yours, uniquely yours, to use, take care of, and to treasure. Find new ways to pamper them this week … Report back here how it felt to give them extra attention and any observations you might have gathered.
The Just For Fun Recess Question
Imagine your ideal exercise partner(s). What would she / he / it / they be like?