Thread: JUNE 2006 Couch Fauxtato Activity Challenge

Welcome, fellow couch fauxtatoes, to the "JUNE 2006" Couch Fauxtato Activity Challenge" ! In the words of moderator Maggie:

Not usually into challenges? Don't want to tie yourself to a particular weight or size result? Intimidated by more traditional Exercise Forums? Do you, perhaps, have a treadmill that has clothes hanging on it? ... hmmm? But are you, perhaps, willing to contemplate a modest expenditure of activity with a short term commitment?

Then this is the place for you!

You decide what your challenge is, since you know yourself best. It could be taking the stairs at work, so many times per week, or if you're in the right climate, going for a walk at lunch time. No challenge is too small or too odd! Then we'll check in every so often and compare notes.

Start to tone up for summer! Define your own challenge! Try it for a month!

*****LISTEN, FELLOW SLUGS AND SLOTHS, THIS IS IMPORTANT. A TRUE COUCH FAUXTATO CANNOT JUST LAUNCH HIM OR HERSELF OFF THE COUCH AND INTO AN INTENSIVE EXERCISE PROGRAM! Now, I realize that, for most of us, there's little chance of that. We are often also great procrastinators and most of us will take our sweet time dusting off tapes and/or looking for long burried exercise equipment, and will be adjusting our activity to whatever feels ok, especially to begin with. However, GET CLEARED, MEDICALLY, FOR WHATEVER CHALLENGE YOU ARE PLANNING FOR YOURSELF! Then proceed in a rational manner. Work into it slowly!*****

Still trying to get more walking back into my day. A bit more today as I did catch the train, but lazy (actually late) me drove down to the train station this morning.

How is everyone else going?

Got in another 10 minutes on the gazelle this morning.

Did a little arms last ngiht but not enough. We had company again so we didn't go to the swings. Plus we had scary skies so no swings in the lightening.

Did get a good walk in at SuperTarget though.

Mom suggested I join this challenge. I have also joined the 250 or bust! challenge. I try to do something every day--walking with Bob @ WalMart, parking further out in the parking lot @ WalMart, light weight lifting, leg lifts (my legs are so heavy, I can only do a few!), or cardioglide (for maybe 2 mins!). About 15 years ago, I was walking 2 miles 3 times a week. Of course, I had a buddy then, and I was literally half of what I am now. I'd like to get to the point where I can do that again.

You'll get there, kiddo!

I got my 10 minutes on the gazelle this morning. Plus some arm work with my resistance bands. I'm increasing those reps, too. My plan is to increase the gazelle to 15 minutes beginning Monday. Ugh!

Lots of walking around the shops this morning. They reorganised the supermarket again so I ended up going around about six times to find everything.

Welcome Bethany. I like that you are starting out slow. The good news is that if you have been inactive for quite sometime, doing any activity seems to have a BIG impact. It gets harder as your body gets used to exercise.

No?l - definitely no swings when there is lightning around. Loved seeing your new pics. Sorry about starting the new thread when you were going to do it, but I did this before Maxi replied on the May thread.

Nita - well done on the gazelle and good luck in increasing the time.

I did 12 1/2 minutes on the gazelle, figuring I'm getting prepared for the 15 minutes on Monday. Did extra pulls on the resistance band, too.

Bethany, I try to do just a little each day. I use to do walk away the pounds dvd's a year ago six times a week religiously. Now I'm working my way up from 4 blocks. I can do more, but my knee starts screaming at me after a while and the other day I got shin splints again from bad shoes. Anyhow. I did take Xander to teh slides so I got my walking in. Last night a did just a little arms. I will do more tonight. I've got a parade that we're going to in three weeks that I'd like my arms a little more firm by then.

I got to walk @ my own pace today (@ WalMart). I parked out by the cart corral. This morning, when we went to the post office, I parked us on the side so we would have to walk around to the front & up the steps. Usually I just park in the handicap space & take the ramp.

I don't mind walking with Bob. He just walks soooo slowly. However, my chiropractor recommended "moseying" as a way to keep my hips from going out, so maybe his slow pace is a blessing in disguise.

I pushed to 15 minutes on the gazelle, 30 reps on 2 positions on the resistance band, each arm. A few stretches afterward. The 15 min = .63 miles. Not bad for an out of shape old lady. A really out of shape old lady. With really bad knees. By week after next I hope to be up to 20 minutes every morning.

Dragon - Thanks for starting the June challenge! Shopping can really add up the miles in certain stores.

Nita - Nice Steady progress!

Bethany - any movement is far better than none! Good going!

Unfortunately I'm still sidelined after my operation last tuesday. But I'm hoping by midweek to start with a slow mile walk. we shall see.

Rob! So good to see you back, and encouraging us.

I did 15+ minutes on the gazelle, and upped the reps on the resistance band to 40 each. Meant getting up a tad earlier, but that's ok. I just kinda slept through the workout.

Glad you're taking it easy, Rob. I'm sure you'll be back to Tanglewood walking 3-4 miles again soon enough but for now you can take a break.

I went to the slides Saturday but didn't do much else. Xander had decided we should get up at 4:00AM and not go back to bed. I did have a very long nap in the afternoon which was nice but then I felt like a slug the rest of the day.

I made up for it yesterday. We started at the park for 30 minutes then since we were so close we went to the zoo. We walked about an hour and a half then sat and watched the animal show the last 25. I was dragging by the time we were leaving and so was Xander. Since he likes to walk so much I didn't bring the stroller so I did have to carry him a little right in the end. When we got home he laid down for a nap and 30 minutes later my friends were there so that I could go witht he husband and move a king size bed to my place. So we went and go tthat and moved it into the upstairs bedroom. That was a feat. Lots of bending and pushing and shoving to get it to fit up the stairs and through the door.

Today I started off the morning with viacodin and alieve.

Yesterday I went to the movies (BY MYSELF!). I told John that since he was going to be out of town again for a couple of days this week, I should go and have some ME time. So I went & saw Over the Hedge. Cute movie! I parked waaaaay out in the parking lot. When the movie was over, I walked around a store next to the theater. Then I went to Big Lots & Super WalMart. I did, however, take advantage of the handicapped parking by that point. Walking Super WM was plenty of exercise for me!