Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Weekly Challenge #7


Wow you guys. Week number 7. I hope you guys are still having fun!

In case you are new:

Each week we are given two challenges. These challenges will start on Sunday (usually) and go through the following Saturday. (click here to learn more about our weekly challenges)

At the end of the week, we will each write a post explaining our experiences with the challenges.

BE HONEST. If you failed the challenge, tell us why. If you rocked it, tell us how. Most importantly, tell us how you feel about it.


This week's challenges

Physical Challenge: Weight Training.

If you want to lose fat or change your body, one of the most important things you can do is lift weights. Diet and cardio are equally important, but when it comes to changing how your body looks, weight training wins hands down. If you've hesitated to start a strength training program, it may motivate you to know that lifting weights can:

* Help raise your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so the more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn all day long.
* Strengthen bones, especially important for women
* Make you stronger and increase muscular endurance
* Help you avoid injuries
* Increase your confidence and self-esteem
* Improve coordination and balance

-About.com

Now don't worry, you don't have to go out and bench press 300lbs (unless you really want to. In which case, PLEASE take pictures). There are a bunch of ways to do weight training. Including Yoga (especially Jillian Michaels yoga. She should be paying us for these shout outs), and pushups, and working in a Nursing home.

Whatever your method, start adding it to your workouts this week.

Nutritional Challenge: Give it up. Pretend it's Lent. You know what I'm talking about. That one special treat that you like to pretend isn't going to hurt you? Well, it probably wouldn't- if it really was just a once in a while thing.

It's time to give it up. At least for a while.

Maybe it's soda. I know a guy who used to drink it every day. But then when he realized just how much sugar he was consuming, he started having second thoughts (y'all know who I'm talking about).

Or it could be fast food. It you're eating it a couple times each week (or maybe even once each week), that could be what's holding you back.

For me it's dessert. I try to limit myself to one per day. But it isn't easy (and that's kind of ridiculous).

Whatever your vice is, this is the week to give it up. Not forever, just for now. I bet you'll see a difference.

2 comments:

Annie on September 7, 2010 at 2:12 PM said...

I am going to bench press my elderly friends.

Helena on September 8, 2010 at 10:22 AM said...

That is exactly what I was thinking!! Be sure you take pictures, ok?

z

Annie, age 29

About Annie

With everything I am responsible for at home, my ridiculous work schedule and my health problems, it makes it hard to keep working out on the front burner. But when I heard about this blog, I thought 'why not!'. I'm excited to get started and hopefully I won't die of exhaustion when this is all over!

Heléna, age 26

About Helena

I can't fit into my clothes! After getting married and being forced to eat my own cooking, I started gaining weight. The desk job didn't really help. I gained 30 lbs in the past year, and I can really feel it when I try to get dressed in the morning. I am really good at starting diet and exercise programs; but really bad at finishing them. And that's all about to change...

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