Baker of Man vs. Debt recently turned some e-mails and twitter convesations into a PF Blogger Weight Loss Challenge. The challenge will last 2 months–from June 1 to July 31, 61 days. I will be participating and have been placed on the Gamma team along with Baker – Man vs. Debt, Neal – The Wealth Pilgrim, Kelly – The Centsible Life, Kim – Money Management.
Unlike most of the participants (except Bob from Christian PF, who is trying to gain weight) I am not trying to lose weight. Instead, what I’m trying to do is change up my workout program to add strength training.
I’m doing this because I don’t need to lose weight. All the charts agree that I’m smack dab in the middle of the range I should be in. I have a body that suits me fine. I’ve already been running (mostly on an elliptical machine) 3-5 days a week in order to maintain this weight and strenghten my cardiovascular system and my lungs. I also like knowing that I could run for a few miles, should circumstances warrent it.
I think a habit of mild to moderate strength training is a good one to get into. I’ve read that it strengthens bone density (good habit to be in later in life) and I wouldn’t mind the aesthetics of being a bit more toned along with being physically stronger. Also, when I had a very bad back injury in my teen years, I was told that I should keep up the strength training I did in physical therapy, but I let it slide. I’ll be using 2lb weights and switching to 5lb for some sets if it gets too easy.
Because this isn’t something I can just report back on at weekly weigh-ins, I decided to share the spreadsheet I’m using to keep track of my progress. You can find it here. The first page of the sheet has my goals and the 2nd page is the actual log. As you can see, I’ve already done the workout twice. I figured I should get started right away!
I won’t be writing about this very often, but you can keep up to date by checking the spreadsheet if you like. Also, if people are interested, then I’ll look into creating a page/spreadsheet/something where readers can join in with their goals and keep things up to date.
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We are gonna tear it up! Thanks for joining!
Baker @ ManVsDebt’s last blog post: 2nd Full Month Blogging: Video, Stats, Thanks, & June Goals!
Sounds like a great plan – I think I may need to start back on the workout wagon soon here – using a weights and cardio program – 6 days a week. Now if i could just get up enough passion to get started! 🙂
Bible Money Matters’s last blog post: Carnival of Top Personal Finance Posts #5:
Great resolution! A few years ago in NYC a friend of mine decided to teach me to powerlift, which I did about 3 times a week. (I’m a 5’3″ woman with an office job). I’ve never been as lean, strong or confident as when I was lifting heavy and doing a lot of bodyweight exercises. I didn’t do any cardio at the time, except for walking everywhere. I should get back into it again, but having the workout buddy was a big part of it for me.
I was surprised how many people signed up!
I don’t think I have a pound to lose or gain. I COULD tighten up, though, haha.
I’m actually coach of a team at work in our weight loss challenge.
Best of luck getting some more strength!
MLR
MLR’s last blog post: Carnival of 20 Something Finances: Sesame Street Edition
Great plan. I’m making my own workout plan, and will use some of your ideas. I hope your team does well. But since I’m on Beta team, I hope we do better! 😉
Miranda’s last blog post: Unbroke’s Money 101: “I’m Broke as Hell…â€
@Baker you said it! Thanks for organizing this. It came at a perfect time!
@Pete pretend you’re part of a team. 😉
@guiness this came at a perfect time for me, as my husband has recently started lifting again. We don’t do it together, but it’s something we connect about, share exercises, etc.
@MLR that’s about where I am too. I could lose 5 pounds or gain 5 pounds and not really sweat it. But what I’d like to do is tighten up, strengthen up.
@Miranda sounds good. If you post your workout plan, I’d be interested in seeing it. 🙂 As for winning–oh you know team Gamma’s where it’s at!
I’ve just gotten back to strength training, 3 lb. weights, four exercises (I don’t know their names), 5 or 6 days a week. But what I really need to do is gain weight, at least 6 pounds, but 10 pounds would take me up to what I think of as my norm.
@Bible Money Matters: Have you tried just adding a few extra minutes to your getting up or going to bed routine? It quickly becomes habitual.
Hey congrats, Mom! That’s very impressive. I remember you doing strength training when I was a kid in the morning or evening and that’s part of what inspired me to do this. 🙂
Good luck with the weight gain. Maybe I should bring up some brownies or steak!
Nice! We’re doing a biggest loser challenge at work. $50 in the pot initially, $5 for every pound you gain added to the pot monthly. There’s definitely some incentive to get yourself in gear this summer. Last time we did it, we just did the $50 buy-in, but most of us didn’t put any effort into it. This time, I think we’re all a bit more serious about it. But, I’ve also joined a morning bootcamp to help in my endeavors and I get all the benefits you mentioned in your article, Mrs. Micah. I look forward to hearing how you guys do!
Kristy @ Master Your Card’s last blog post: The Cost of Owning Pets
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