Getting Prepared

Well, I've been off the wagon for some time.  I'm getting ready to do a fitness challenge.  I'm dragging my husband along, too.  I use the word dragging because he is sluggish to the idea, when I'm pumped.  You see, one of my husband's problems is blaming HIS weight on ME.  He doesn't do it intentionally, but he certainly deflects enough to attempt to make me feel bad for it so he doesn't have to.  I have a hard enough time carrying my own weight, pun fully intended.  Anyway, I'm frustrated and almost wish I hadn't enlisted him.  It's like trying to kick depression when you're walking around one of those "dark cloud" people.  You know who I'm talking about.  Glass 3/4 empty people.  But, I want to have a place where I can log my work.  So, I'm back here.  The challenge begins on the 1st of the year (2011).  This is NOT a new year's resolution, though.  This is an attempt to get more physically fit.

The challenge requires:

Walking: 12,000 steps daily. I must wear a pedometer at all times and it's electronically capable of downloading info directly to the computer.

Calories:  Maintain calorie consumption at 500 calories below metabolic baseline daily.  Right now that means that my calorie intake should be around 2000 - 2500 calories per day.

Situps: 100 daily. Will do different stomach muscle exercises each day to give adequate rest in between.

Pushups: 100 daily. This may kill me.  No, really.

Resistance: 100,000 pounds weekly (I lifted 20,000 on Thurs.). I will work my way up to 3 sets of my circuit instead of the two now and add weight where I am not as challenged.  If I do that 3 times per week, that should be 100,000 pounds lifted.

Weekly challenges: varied and must be presented with photographic proof (yes, really).  The first challenge is a local 5k run and 2k fun walk.  I'll be doing the fun walk.  There's a clue that the next one will be bowling.  I went bowling with my brother and nephews a couple of years ago and did horribly, so I doubt I'll be getting many points for that, but it should be fun.

There is absolutely no way you could come out of this in the same or worse health.  This is quite an adjustment from the norm for me.

My mantra:
Breathe deep.  Drink lots of water.  Have fun!