Will there be a May Challenge?

holly_01 · Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:10 am

What if everyone (regardless of what phase we're in) just got a few points at the end of the challenge if our weight has not gone up? Our numbers are all going to be so different, but I think it's safe to say that no one here wants to gain any weight (tell me if I'm wrong, Bob). So that's one goal we'd all have in common.

otter70 · Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:52 am

Let's see..
How to pull this together...

Maybe post a thread the following forums (Some people don't look in the fitness thread) in Ph 1, 2 South beach Diet area and exercise thread
brief explanation, rules, etc

If we get responses from people about interest send them a separate PM?

Gotta get the measurements--or starting weigh in ASAP--Pookie and Kirian are the best ones to find out about this stuff-I think
No need for picutures.

This probably has to be done today or tomorrow

We also need captains--I would be able to co-captain a team until about the 10th of May and would be back the 25th

Old Grey Bob--we would greatly appreciate your wisdom on P3 issues

Wanna go for this?

Otter

mariesha416 · Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:19 pm

I am game and I am also willing to help if you guys need anything!!!! I'm not super good with Excel but I can learn and I can be a cheerleader for people! Just let me know the specifics....

mariesha416 · Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:48 pm

I was thinking about it- I definately agree getting your water quota should be part of the challenge but I wonder if anyone is willing to up the ante on exercise? I feel like a challenge should CHALLENGE you and 3 days of cardio is do-able for a lot of people...maybe we could push it up for 5 days of cardio? We really want to push ourselves here and challenge our limits!!!!! thats the whole point!!! Maybe its just me? , so for those die hard exercises there should be something else, like bonus points, etc... I'm not quite sure. I also love the idea of posting photos like the extreme challenge did- I'm such a visual person that it really makes a difference for me!!!!

I'm on this board 24/7 so I'm willing to be a team captain if needed.

pookiebear · Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:02 pm

Heading up challenges for a while now, I will say this...

I tend to agree with mariesha416 in the fact that ~ People got discouraged and wondered why they weren't losing more weight in previous challenges when,... they could eat 95% beachy (giving some the grace to "cheat" more often than normal), setting up however many times a week they wanted to exercise, not having to drink a set amount of water, etc. So, in all reality, they'd walk for 20 min., 3 times/week... cheat all the time, not drink their water and wonder by the end of "this wonderful challenge they were a part of", why they only lost 3 pounds. :?

So, when planning it out... just take into consideration that - people NEED to be challenged. If they're going to be a part of something - they're expecting to be different when they're done. :) They're expecting to grow. So, just set up the rules accordingly... to prepare them to win. :)

It IS difficult to cater to everyone and their specific needs though. I would try out something and see it didn't work,... so the next challenge, I would change it.

I understand to some, if not most?, 9 exercises sessions a week is "extreme". But, if we're supposed to be exercising a minumum of 30 min. a day for HEALTH reasons... and 4-5 times/week for cardio... get some strength training in there... and don't forget stretching... it all kinda adds up. ;) May not be something we're used to... but definitely a goal to set for ourselves.

And, it's not really about being perfect, having a perfect challenge week or even having a perfect challenge. It's saying that you'll commit to something... through the good weeks AND the bad weeks. About not giving up when it gets hard. Not giving up when you're "busy". For the record, I've had at LEAST one person drop out of every challenge I've headed up. Whether they were 4 weeks, 6 weeks, with partners, without partners... And I've been tempted to drop out myself! :lol: But eating on the beach is a lifestyle... and helping other people stay on track with other healthy aspects (drinking water, exercising, etc.) is what these challenges are about, to me. :)

Maryone · Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:37 pm

I have to agree with Pookie... a challenge for me is really something that will make me do things I don't normaly do or I have troubles with. It has to be more than you usually do!

Speaking for myself now...

I don't like the idea of 95% beachy... it's the main reason I didn't lose weight for the past months... :oops: I want to kick start my weight loss!

For me there are 3 things really important in the challenges and on SB FOOD, WATER, EXERCISE and for those 3 things I think it's really important to be awarded points.

I like the buddy or team system. For me it's great motivation because I don't like to be the one who quit and let down a team or someone, it will make me STICK to it and do my best.

The weekend idea is a great one...I definately have troubles with that and I know i'm not the only one!

Recipes...I think it should be bonus. It's a great idea but I don't necessarely have the time to try and post recipes every week...

____________

:arrow: here's my main idea

Why don't we set our own goals? There could be some categories like food, exercise, water, weight loss/maintaining and you just set up something that will challenge YOU. For example, for the water goal, instead of shooting for X amount of water for everybody, set a goal for YOU. I know I usually get my 8 or 10 glasses of water each day but my challenge would be to shoot for 12 glasses which I don't do often. Every category would be awarded the same points no matter what YOUR challenge is. And there could be a personnal category for a personnal goal/achievement.

I don't know.... Does that sound like a great idea?

Gurmo · Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:38 pm

I think we should also determine what is considered cardio. Or would we leave that up to the person who is doing so? For example, I can't really run or do elipitical for longer than 20 minutes more than twice a week because of my knee (stupid high school wrestling). However, I do ride my bike every day 5 miles every day (2.5 each way) to and from work. I also workout in a "circuit" which means that I jump from one machine to another with no rest after each rep. Honeslty, I just started doing that this year and wow its much more intense than any cardio type workout.

I don't mean to be difficult, I just want to participate to try and motivate myself to push myself to lose the last 15 pounds towards my goal!

pookiebear · Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:51 pm

Gurmo wrote: I think we should also determine what is considered cardio. Or would we leave that up to the person who is doing so?

IMHO, if you have an injury or something that prevents you doing certain exercise, then your situation should be considered. But, I've had people that wanted to count the following things as cardio, and I personally don't think they should:

Grocery shopping
Gardening
Washing their car
Mowing the lawn
Cleaning the house
Walking at work (if they were a waiter or walked a lot at work)
Going to the mall (walking around at the mall)
Sex

Obviously you can set up whatever kind of challenge you want. ;) But if you want to grow, I don't think cardio should be daily "chores". It should be above and beyond what you normally do. You're active? Good. :) But is your heart rate up for a decent amount of time? If not... you're just being active and working. So, if you leave it up to the person to decide what counts for them as cardio... maybe you should say which things actually don't count. ;) Cause I don't think it's fair for someone to do Tae Bo 5 days/week... and have another person counting sex 5 times/week as the same thing. ;) (Although, it might be more fun ;))

mariesha416 · Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:58 pm

I agree with you pookie, our resident challenge expert about the cardio...I think cardio should be classified in its most simplistic way, it is a form of exercise that gets your cardiovascular system pumping which means you should have an accelerated heartrate, pulse, and be breaking a sweat. Whether that comes in the form of running, aerobics class or bicycle riding is your choice. No one is going to come to your house and monitor your exercise, this really is a challenge for yourself because in the end, the only person who you'd be letting down is yourself! Question is- how bad do ya want and how far are ya willing to go to get it? :lol: At one point, I think we will need to firm up decisions and just run with it...otherwise we will be debating options for days! :D I may be wrong, but I imagine it can get quite complicated and difficult to try and please everyone so hopefully we can reach a general consensus/compromise that pleases the majority and kickstart this pre-summer bootcamp! :shock:

luvmycritters · Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:59 pm

I'd love to do a challenge! I could also help, co-captain or whatever, if needed but I've never done one before. I am pretty decent with spreadsheets and am on the computer daily. I do like Mary's ideas about setting our own goals but there should be a minimum they can be set at. A challenge should take us out of our comfort range.

Lora

Maryone · Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:12 pm

pookiebear wrote: But, I've had people that wanted to count the following things as cardio, and I personally don't think they should:

Grocery shopping
Gardening
Washing their car
Mowing the lawn
Cleaning the house
Walking at work (if they were a waiter or walked a lot at work)
Going to the mall (walking around at the mall)
Sex

IMO those are not cardio exercises and people who count that as exercise are only denying themselves. Those "activities" are part of your life, by doing them you are staying active but you are not exercising if your heart rate don't go up.

I agree, we should define what a cardio session and a strengh session are.

Per definition a "Aerobic Exercise", also known as "Cardiovascular Exercise", aerobics or simply cardio is a
"Constant moderate intensity work that uses up oxygen at a rate in which the cardio respiratory system can replenish oxygen in the working muscles. Examples of such activity are exercises like stationary bike riding or walking. It is a good activity for fat loss when done in the right amounts but highly catabolic if done in excess." (taken on the site of bodybuilding.com)

otter70 · Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:46 pm

I think this is a great dialogue we have going.

I understand about being challenged; however, I have watched people go "full tilt boogie" at the beginning if the challenges--only to burn out by week 2, get hurt, fall out, let the team down etc etc and then they feel guilty.

Managing expectations is an individual thing, so if you pig out (not eat beachy) and do the minimum on fitness, I am not sure how you could expect to lose anything.

As to determining fairness of what is considered cardio-again lots of folks don't have a level of fitness to maintain "true cardio standards" more fit folks enjoy. I am just happy to see people making the effort to do something they can do, rather than not participate at all.

SB is the slow steady race--the challenge to me is at the end of the challenge is have I made a lifestyle change?

Alot of people signing up are P1 newbies with alot of challenges going on with the food...not to mention the exercise, journaling water etc. I think this can be very intimidating for some folks. What we want is for people to make lifestyle changes. And the challenge is a hollistic way to get a great jump start--not only for the fitness but the H20 the journaling, understanding portion control etc.

I stand ready to assist even if as a cheerleader or I can co captain with Luvsmycritters?

Yours humbly,

Otter

DarkChocolate · Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:06 pm

Hey everyone! I am so excited to check in on this thread and see SO MANY awesome suggestions!!

Since making my original posts in this thread I've actually spent some time looking back at the old challenges and brainstorming and have come up with an outline for what I think could be a good challenge. I'm going to adjust it a bit to incorporate some of the ideas on here that have been posted since my last post, and I think it could work!

Some of the main things:

* I hadn't been sure how you guys thought about teams, but now it sounds like they can be pretty motivating. Maybe we could try three teams.. I could captain one, luvmycritters could captain one, and otter70 could captain one (*maybe* since otter will be gone the last couple weeks of the challenge, pookiebear might be able to take over the team then, since she'll be back from vacation!?)
***NOTE: if I just signed you guys up and you aren't really comfortable doing it, it's okay, I don't mean to force it on you! If anyone else wants to captain, let me know! I think all the Captain would need to do is tally points for her/his teammates each week. I can make up a spreadsheet for the captains use so that it's easier!

* I have been going back and forth between how many exercise days should be required. The Extreme challenge's requirements did seem good for a lot of people, BUT it was certainly too much for others. AND especially since we've JUST had that challenge, I think it would be nice to have a challenge that some of the people who weren't ready for the Extreme one could be comfortable with.

* AND SO, here's my thought: you get "base points" every week for doing 3 cardio sessions and 2 strength sessions. You also get base points for drinking at least 64oz water per day and for eating beachy (more on my thoughts for this below).

* THEN there are a series of bonus points: Most importantly, everyone must set a PERSONAL exercise and/or food related goal for the week that is both DOABLE and CHALLENGING - it should either go beyond the level of the base-point goals or be more specific, for example "Do 6 cardio sessions and 3 strength sessions" or "Drink half my body weight in water every day" or "Do 30 crunches every night" or "Don't eat the cake at the birthday party this weekend" This way, people can increase the level of challenge so that's its challenging for themselves, BUT people who can't do too much more than the "base" level yet can still have the great accomplishment of getting a perfect "base" point score.

* Otter70 mentioned something about cleaning/gardening counting now since Spring is coming, and I thought that was a valid point. So I'd like to figure out a way to make it work. I'm thinking something like "if it's a regular everyday routine thing, it won't count, BUT if you've gone above and beyond - some serious hands and knees intense spring cleaning, turning over the garden beds and really getting dirty" etc... something that really honestly does get your heart rate going, then it should be encouraged. Yes, it would require people to be honest with themselves about the level of activity they're really doing, but I think it's worth a try.

* And related to the gardening/spring thing, I thought of another idea for a bonus point thing that I really like - bonus points for having one exercise session be OUTDOORS! To encourage people to enjoy the fresh spring air that will be happening... it could be a jog outside, playing frisbee with the kids (as long as you ARE getting into it!), intense gardening, etc. Leisurely stroll does NOT count, but brisk walk could, etc.

* Other bonus points for trying/posting a new recipe and for "surviving the weekend." Also, bonus points for having a perfect "base point" week.

* Here are my thoughts on the "Beachy" food thing. While SB does allow for occassional off-plan treats, eating 100% Beachy is a much bigger accomplishment than eating 95%. SO I'd like to do points for each day of eating TOTALLY on-plan (P3ers of course have their own definitions of on plan, but I would still think that by now, every P3er should know what they can comfortably consider "on plan" and what's really a "treat" even if they know how to work it in - am I right about this?) and then fewer points (half as many or so) for each day that only one off-plan thing was eaten (e.g. special dessert after a Beachy dinner, etc. - NOT "I ate a whole bag of potato chips!"). And then, of course, eating 100% Beachy every day would work towards getting the perfect "base point" bonus.

* One question - I really like the "surviving the weekend" bonus thing, but do we want to define it more precisely? "Eating 100% Beachy" all weekend seems like it might be more extreme than necessary, since it seems like the idea is to minimize going crazy over the weekend, but not necessarily perfection. So what do you guys think?

Let me know if you have more suggestions, and I'll write something up later tonight that can be posted. I'm thinking if we can get it posted now, we could start it on Monday the 16th... limit sign-ups until Monday morning... Another thing, I think it might be okay if we just post it here, I think a lot of people are looking foward to having a challenge to follow up the Extreme one, and I would prefer if we weren't COMPLETELY swamped with millions of people, you know? :)

DarkChocolate · Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:13 pm

Also, didn't mention in the above post -

My current thought is to have the challenge be 5 weeks, from 16 April to 20 May. People only have to commit to that time, since the following weekend would incorporate Memorial Day celebrations.

IF, however, they are interested in doing that 6th week, we could have it be a BONUS week were all points are doubled! Depending on which people are still around and interested, we could reorganize the teams (or perhaps just break them up and have the bonus week be for individuals).

So there could be a winning team after the regular 5 weeks, and then a bonus winner after the full 6 weeks. How's that sound?

meemoo · Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:46 pm

DarkChocolate wrote: * I hadn't been sure how you guys thought about teams, but now it sounds like they can be pretty motivating. Maybe we could try three teams.. I could captain one, luvmycritters could captain one, and otter70 could captain one (*maybe* since otter will be gone the last couple weeks of the challenge, pookiebear might be able to take over the team then, since she'll be back from vacation!?)

I would be willing to co-captain Otter's team after she leaves on her cruise (I have been on cruises before and know that she needs to go and not think about anything!)

DarkChocolate wrote: * AND SO, here's my thought: you get "base points" every week for doing 3 cardio sessions and 2 strength sessions. You also get base points for drinking at least 64oz water per day and for eating beachy (more on my thoughts for this below).
This sounds great to me! The bonus points part too.

DarkChocolate wrote: I'm thinking something like "if it's a regular everyday routine thing, it won't count, BUT if you've gone above and beyond - some serious hands and knees intense spring cleaning, turning over the garden beds and really getting dirty" etc... something that really honestly does get your heart rate going, then it should be encouraged. Yes, it would require people to be honest with themselves about the level of activity they're really doing, but I think it's worth a try.
I didn't think I would agree with this, until I spent 2 hours last week clearing out a rather small flower bed (only to discover tulips!) that hadn't been touched since we moved in almost a year ago. While I still think it is cheating a little, I would think to consider serious gardening (with hoeing, shoveling, raking, the works) as a mild form of cardio if heart rate was honestly up for 20-30 min.

DarkChocolate wrote: ...bonus points for having one exercise session be OUTDOORS! To encourage people to enjoy the fresh spring air that will be happening... it could be a jog outside, playing frisbee with the kids (as long as you ARE getting into it!), intense gardening, etc. Leisurely stroll does NOT count, but brisk walk could, etc.

I think the frisbee comment was directed to me :oops: But in my defense, DH kept throwing them way off to the sides, and we were going fast like hot potato, so I was constantly running. :D

DarkChocolate wrote: SO I'd like to do points for each day of eating TOTALLY on-plan (P3ers of course have their own definitions of on plan, but I would still think that by now, every P3er should know what they can comfortably consider "on plan" and what's really a "treat" even if they know how to work it in - am I right about this?) and then fewer points (half as many or so) for each day that only one off-plan thing was eaten (e.g. special dessert after a Beachy dinner, etc. - NOT "I ate a whole bag of potato chips!"). And then, of course, eating 100% Beachy every day would work towards getting the perfect "base point" bonus.
I hope it doesn't get too confusing with all the different ways you can or can't get bonus points. That is my only concern.

DarkChocolate wrote: * One question - I really like the "surviving the weekend" bonus thing, but do we want to define it more precisely? "Eating 100% Beachy" all weekend seems like it might be more extreme than necessary, since it seems like the idea is to minimize going crazy over the weekend, but not necessarily perfection. So what do you guys think?
I think it depends on what is meant by "surviving the weekend". For me it would be harder if I was out of town, but if I was home all weekend it shouldn't be that much more difficult to do what I normally do (since I'm a stay-at-home-mom my weekends aren't that different unless you count having extra bodies around all day) I don't have any great suggestions for this one other than letting each person choose their weekend to get extra points if they "survive" and have to follow the normal rules the rest of the weekends. Just a thought.

DarkChocolate wrote: My current thought is to have the challenge be 5 weeks, from 16 April to 20 May. People only have to commit to that time, since the following weekend would incorporate Memorial Day celebrations.

I like this time frame, with the added bonus week. It would then let a challenge be started that first full week of June and be back on a monthly schedule.

DarkChocolate wrote: Another thing, I think it might be okay if we just post it here, I think a lot of people are looking foward to having a challenge to follow up the Extreme one
I agree, just post it in the Fitness Forum

		Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Next
Page 2 of 5